Kaffir limes

In the past kaffir limes were not widely known or used in NZ, but with the ‘rebirth’ of cooking in our country, we’re wanting to make and experience the beautiful exotic flavours of the different countries of the world.
The variation in climate across this wonderful country of ours, allows us to grow many of the rare and unusual fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices that are used in the cuisine of other countries. This provides us with easier access to ingredients necessary to create that country’s authentic flavour. Kaffir limes and leaves are one of these ‘exotics’.
Both the limes and the leaves are used in Thai, Indonesian and Cambodian cooking. The kaffir lime fruit is a bumpy dark green version of the Tahitian lime but is extremely fragrant with a high concentration of aromatic oils. The rind is zested (grated) and added to soups, stews such as gkaeng bpah (jungle soup), curries and curry pastes, (especially Thai) fish cakes, and chutneys, giving them their unique flavour. The double dark green shiny leaves have a similar striking lemon scent, and in cooking both fruit and leaves are really irreplaceable by any other citrus.
Besides being an indispensable addition to Asian cooking, Kaffir limes naturally have another side to them. Like all citrus, the kaffir lime is a disinfectant, cleanser, deodoriser, and leaves that beautiful clean perfume of citrus blossoms. A shampoo and conditioner made from them gives the hair a clean shine as well as conditioning the scalp. It can also be used to remove stains from clothes as you would use toxic bleach, and just a few drops in the wash with a reduced amount of detergent will bring clothes up sparkling clean.
In natural medicine lime juice was recommended for cleaning the teeth while promoting gum health. It was passed down by the ancients that the oil found in the skin of kaffir is an effective blood tonic and beneficial for the digestive system. Use the zest, juice and leaves with the knowledge that it’s ‘doing you good’. So folk, dig out your favourite Thai/Indonesian - any Asian recipe, and get cooking.