tropical Southeast Asia.
Citrus hystrix, called the kaffir lime or makrut lime, (US: /ˈmækrət/, UK: /məkˈruːt/) is a citrus fruit native to tropical Southeast Asia.
Where can I find kaffir lime?
You can buy kaffir lime leaves from Vietnamese or Asian food stores. Some Chinese food stores also sell these leaves. You can find these leaves usually with other dried herbs, in the freezer section, or with other fresh produce.
Is it easy to grow kaffir lime?
Not that this is a hard tree to grow. It doesn’t need much in the way of nourishment, water, or maintenance. Even the little care it requires, this tree pays back in abundance. So how do you grow the kaffir lime tree and how to make sure it thrives, flowers, and gives you fruit?
Can you eat the fruit of kaffir lime?
While less common, the zest and rind of kaffir limes are used in some Southeastern dishes and in Cambodia, they even candy the entire fruit to enjoy as a treat.
How long does it take to grow a kaffir lime tree?
As long as your tree has access to enough water and sunlight, it should produce fruit at maturity. For cuttings, this often takes around three years. Plants grown from seed can take up to ten years to fruit either indoors or outdoors.
What is the difference between kaffir lime and lime?
Kaffir limes are known more for their leaves while regular (western) limes are used more for their zest and juice. The skin of the kaffir limes is warty and it doesn’t give a lot of juice. On the other hand, regular western limes are often smooth and usually contain more juices.
How do you grow kaffir limes?
If grown indoors, keep near a sunny window. The Kaffir lime tree appreciates water and somewhat humid conditions during the growing season. Keep in mind, however, that this tree is prone to root rot if kept too wet, so allow the soil to dry out some between waterings. Regular misting helps with humidity levels.
How often should I water kaffir lime?
Give your kaffir lime a spot with good air circulation, but avoid drafts from heating and cooling vents. Watering once a week is usually enough. The soil should stay moist, not soggy. Don’t water just because the soil surface looks dry.
How big does a kaffir lime tree grow?
3–4m high
Kaffir limes need a warm, temperate to tropical climate. They prefer hot summers and mild, dry winters. Cropping starts in autumn and can extend for a few months during the cool seasons, fruit remaining fresh longest if left on the tree. Mature trees reach 3–4m high, just right for a specimen shrub, tree or hedge.
Do all kaffir lime trees have thorns?
Lime trees developed thorns as a way to discourage hungry animals from nibbling on their tender young leaves: In the case of Kaffir limes, strong spines up to 1 ½ inches long protrude from the branches just beneath each cluster of lemon-scented leaves. The thorns on small, shrubby Key limes are just as sharp.
Can you freeze kaffir limes?
Kaffir limes, much like standard limes, can be frozen. The method is actually very similar if you plan on freezing them whole. Simply toss them into a freezer bag, seal up and then store in the freezer.
Is kaffir lime good for skin?
If you’re tackling oily or acne-prone skin, the kaffir lime’s antibacterial properties can help reduce redness and irritation, shrink pores, and improve your skin’s overall appearance. Start by crushing and boiling fresh kaffir lime leaves.
What can I do with excess kaffir limes?
To use Kaffir lime leaves, you can add whole leaves, either dried or fresh, to Asian soups, curries, and rice dishes while they’re simmering to impart a distinct flavor. Shred the dried leaves before adding them to fish cakes and be sure to use fresh, tender leaves for salads.
Do kaffir limes taste good?
One never seems to forget encountering a Kaffir Lime Leaf for the first time. Its scent and taste is incredible-there’s nothing quite like it. In fact, this leaf is so aromatic that when you’re served a Thai dish containing it (such as Tom Kha Soup), you may not be able to tell what is stronger-the scent or the taste.
Do kaffir limes taste like regular limes?
Their flavor is less acidic, but they have a spicy lime aroma and woody notes. The juice is sharp and the peel is slightly oily. Kaffir lime is commonly used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, especially curries because of its complex flavor.
Is kaffir lime juice good for you?
Some of the most important health benefits of kaffir lime include its ability to promote oral health, detoxify the blood, boost skin health, improve digestion, ward off insects, lower inflammation, aid the immune system, reduce stress, and improve the health of hair.
Can I grow kaffir lime from seed?
Starting Seeds
While commercial growers generally start seeds in the spring, if you’re growing the Kaffir lime as a houseplant, you can start seeds any time of the year. Simply bury the fresh seeds in moist potting soil, planting them 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep.
Do kaffir lime trees need to be grafted?
Kaffir lime is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, but trees intended for outdoor use should be grafted onto more vigorous rootstock.
Why is my kaffir lime turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves on your kaffir lime is very typical of many citrus trees at this time of the year. It is symptomatic of a nutrient deficiency, especially nitrogen. As ‘gross feeders’, citrus respond very well to regular applications of citrus fertiliser.
How do you pick kaffir lime leaves?
To harvest kaffir lime leaves, pick the leaves gently by hand to avoid damaging the branches. If you just need a leaf or two you can pick them from any part of the plant but if you need quite a few leaves it’s best to trim off a small branch and remove all the leaves.
How long do lime trees live?
50 years
The typical lifespan of lemon and lime tree, including a hybrid lemon lime tree, is over 50 years. However, with proper care, excellent growing conditions, and satisfactory disease prevention practices, lemon and lime trees can live for over a hundred years.