Kaffir Limes: How To Use This Aromatic Fruit
When we talk about limes, most people think of the delicious tangy taste of Tahitian limes or key lime pie. But what about kaffir limes (also known as mukrat limes)? The leaves of the kaffir lime tree are a prized ingredient in many recipes, but the unique wrinkly citrus fruits from the kaffir lime tree are another story. Explore how to use kaffir lime fruit in different ways, not just in cooking.
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What is a kaffir lime?
The kaffir lime- Citrus hystrix – is a type of lime that’s native to Southeast Asia. It’s also known as a Thai lime or mukrat lime. This citrus fruit has unique and very distinctive wrinkly skin.
(This type of lime is known worldwide as a kaffir lime, and most plant nurseries and recipe creators will still call it this, as we have here. However, it’s good to be aware that this term can be considered offensive in some parts of the world as a racial slur. This is why there is a shift to calling it a makrut, Thai or wild lime instead) ,
Most people grow Kaffir lime trees for the leaves, which are prized ingredients in Asian cooking, including curries and soups. The Kaffir lime fruits have a thick, wrinkly outer rind and do not contain a lot of juice. They are however highly aromatic and can also be used in many different ways.
What does kaffir lime taste like?
Kaffir lime leaves are the most popular part of the tree and are often used in cooking. The fruit of a Kaffir lime is edible, but it’s not usually eaten fresh on its own. That’s because this citrus fruit is very bitter tasting and does not contain much juice at all. The most popular way to use it in cooking is to use peel or zest from the bumpy rind instead. Kaffir lime zest has a very intense, floral citrus flavour.
Where to find kaffir limes in season
If you have your own kaffir lime tree, the peak season for fruit in temperate climates in the US and Australia is autumn/fall into winter. I don’t often see kaffir lime fruits for sale in our local shops. If you don’t have your own tree, you may able to source some from friends or family who do or from farmers’ markets or Asian grocers.
Kaffir lime trees can produce fruit all year round in tropical climates. Fruit is typically harvested when it is bright green.
(Of course if you are after kaffir lime leaves for cooking, these are available year round from a healthy tree or in the shops).
Cooking with kaffir limes
While the juice of a kaffir lime is quite bitter, the outside rind is aromatic and delicious in cooking. Here are some ideas for using kaffir lime fruits in food and drinks.
Lime flavoured rice
Kaffir lime can add a wonderful flavour to rice to serve with South East Asian dishes. You can either use a microplane to add the zest of a kaffir lime to the rice, or simply cut a lime in half and add half to the rice while it is cooking. The rice will absorb the scent and flavour of the lime.
Kaffir lime in drinks and cocktails
Flavour your still or sparkling water by adding slices of kaffir lime, or even a half a lime. Or add slices of kaffir lime to your cocktails. It goes especially well with a gin and tonic.
Kaffir lime juice can be quite bitter and almost soapy tasting, so I don’t like to add it directly to my drinks. However you can make a sugar syrup with kaffir leaves and rinds to add a distinctive flavour to cocktails like margaritas or daiquiris. To make the syrup, simply simmer equal amounts of caster sugar and water in a saucepan with lightly bruised kaffir lime leaves and the rinds of the fruit.
Preserved kaffir limes
I normally preserve my Tahitian limes in salt, but there is no reason you couldn’t do the same with kaffir lime fruit. Just substitute the limes in our small batch preserved lime recipe with kaffir limes instead.
Candied kaffir limes
Candied kaffir lime peel is a Cambodian and Thai specialty, with a bittersweet intense flavour.
You can candy kaffir limes in much the same way as you might candy lemon or orange. Slice the limes, blanch several times with boiling water to lessen the bitter taste, and then simmer in equal amounts of water and caster sugar until the peel is translucent. For extra sweetness, roll the candied lime in extra caster sugar.
Using kaffir limes in Asian cooking
Kaffir lime juice, although bitter than other limes, can still add a distinctive flavour to many dishes. Try using kaffir lime juice in an Asian salad dressing or squeezing some of the juice into a Thai green curry at the end of cooking.
Kaffir limes in baking
Use kaffir lime zest in much the same way as any other lime zest in baking. Whether you are making a lime flavoured cake, muffins or cookies, the kaffir lime rind will work in place of Tahitian or key lime rind. It’s also lovely finely zested over plain icing to add citrus flavour.
Other uses for Kaffir limes
Like the leaves, Kaffir lime fruits are prized for their aromatic qualities. The rind of kaffir limes contains essential oils, making kaffir limes ideal to use for fragrance and even cleaning.
Home fragrance with kaffir lime
As soon as you cut into a kaffir lime, you’ll notice the unique floral lime scent. Make the most of this in your home by simply using a halved kaffir lime as a room freshener. I like to place in a dish with some fresh flowers and make a decorative feature. It’s very good at masking unpleasant smells.
Another great way to scent your home is by creating a kaffir lime simmer pot or stovetop potpourri. Simply add the cut up peel of 2 kaffir limes, and a bruised kaffir lime leaf or 2, to a pot of water and gently simmer on the stove.
Kaffir lime hair rinse
In Thailand kaffir limes are used to make a type of shampoo or hair rinse that is thought to help reduce hair loss and even slow grey hairs.
You can make your own natural kaffir lime shampoo by simmering quartered and deseeded kaffir limes in water (1 litre for each kilogram of limes) until soft. Allow to cool, then strain the pulp through a muslin cloth. This pulpy ‘shampoo’ can be used straight away, or boil again and seal in sterilised jars to keep for longer.
Or for a simpler option, rinse hair with some kaffir lime juice diluted in water to help as a detangler.
Cleaning with kaffir limes
The aromatic oils in Kaffir limes make them a great cleaning agent. Try using kaffir limes in place of other citrus in homemade cleaners, including to clean wooden chopping boards. Or use the peel by soaking in a jar of white vinegar for several weeks and then diluting to make a citrus scented natural all purpose cleaning spray. (Just substitute the orange peel in the instructions for kaffir lime peel instead).
More citrus recipes and inspiration
If you enjoy exploring different types of citrus and how to use them, you’ll love our post about yuzu and our collection of yuzu recipes. Or find out how to enjoy fresh tropical pomelo.
And our recipes page has more ideas for cooking with all different types of citrus. You’ll find everything from Cara Cara orange olive oil cake and pink grapefruit granita to homemade lime marmalade.
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