Application of kaffir lime leaves

Kaffir lime is a bright representative of citrus plants. The tree gained its popularity among flower growers for its dark olive, shiny foliage, beautiful, fragrant flowering and useful properties. Due to the large amount of vitamins, trace elements and essential oils, fresh and dried leaves are widely used in cooking. Without them, it is impossible to cook Asian dishes. Due to the delicate aroma, fresh leaves are used in the preparation of salads, soups, main courses, cocktails and desserts.

Where Does Kaffir Lime Grow?

India is considered the birthplace of the plant, in natural conditions the tree reaches 2-4 m. The citrus kaffir lime has several names: papeda blackberry, makrut, kaffir lime, bergamot, kaffir lime and kaffir sorghum. Due to its beneficial properties, at 18 kaffir lime was brought to Asian countries, where it began to be widely used in cooking. Today kaffir lime can be found in Indonesia, the Philippine Islands, Africa and America. In Our Country, kaffir lime is grown as a house plant.

Description of kaffir lime

Kaffir lime is a medium-sized tree with dark emerald, shiny leaves. The hourglass-shaped leaf blade is very fragrant and, like many citrus fruits, is covered with thorns. The length of the foliage can be from 2 to 10 cm.

At home, kaffir lime at the end of winter is covered with snow-white flowers with a pronounced fragrant, citrus note. After flowering, shriveled olive-colored fruits appear on the kaffir lime. The riper they are, the yellower the peel becomes.

The leaves and fruits of kaffir lime have a strong smell that is different from other citrus fruits. It is like a combination of lemon, tangerine and lime, with delicate floral notes. The full citrus aroma is revealed when the leaves are crushed.

Small fruits are not used for food, as they have a bitter-sour taste, and the pulp is not juicy. In Asia, the fruits are harvested and used for the production of household chemicals.

Useful Properties

Kaffir lime leaves contain vitamins and minerals, so they can cure many diseases. They include:

• ascorbic acid – increases immunity, improves regeneration and metabolism, strengthens the gums and protects the body from infections and viruses;
• retinol – necessary for vision, to maintain healthy skin, nails and hair;
• tocopherol – slows down the aging process, improves blood circulation, normalizes the production of hormones;
• potassium – improves heart function and strengthens blood vessels;
• selenium – improves the functioning of the thyroid gland, eliminates harmful free radicals, slows down the aging process;
• manganese – heals cuts, improves cerebral circulation, normalizes blood sugar, removes harmful cholesterol, toxins and toxins;
• phosphorus – strengthens the teeth and the skeletal system.

Application of kaffir lime leaves

Kaffir lime is a small tree with fragrant, healthy leaves. The citrus plant kaffir lime has found wide application in medicine, cooking and cosmetology.

In cooking

In cooking, fresh, frozen and dried leaves are used. It is added to salads, sauces, drinks, soups, meat and fish dishes. So that fresh foliage does not lose its aroma, it is necessary to pre-prepare them. There are 2 ways:

1. The leaves are washed, the median vein is removed and stacked in a pile of 3-4 sheets. Cut into small strips with a sharp knife.
2. The leaf is cut into 2 parts, the central vein is removed and the halves are folded together. Folded leaves are twisted into a tube and cut into half rings.

Dried whole kaffir lime leaves are used as a seasoning for soups and sauces. The whole citrus flavor of kaffir lime leaves is revealed in soups and porridges cooked with coconut milk. When added to meat and fish dishes, finely chopped dried leaves can be used.

The woody leaf of kaffir lime is indispensable for cooking Asian dishes. The citrus aroma will be a reminder of warm days, will give the dish a delicate taste and an unforgettable shade. Popular Asian dishes made from Kaffir Lime are presented below.

Soup Tom Yum Kung

To prepare you will need:

• coconut milk and vegetable broth – 250 ml each;
• kaffir lime – 3 sheets;
• ginger root – 70 g;
• king or Argentine prawns – 100 g;
• champignons – 4-5 pcs.;
• fish sauce – 1 tbsp. l.;
• garlic – 2 lobules;
• hot pepper – 1 pc.;
• vegetable oil – 3 st. l .;
• spices – optional.

Preparation:

1. Mushrooms, peppers, ginger root are peeled and cut into thin slices.
2. Prepared products are fried in vegetable oil until golden brown.
3. Pour vegetable broth into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add kaffir lime leaves and salt.
4. After 5 minutes, fried vegetables and spices fall asleep, boil over low heat for 5-7 minutes.
5. Next add fish sauce and peeled shrimp.
6. After a few minutes, pour in the coconut milk.
7. After boiling, the soup can be poured into bowls, remembering to remove the kaffir lime leaves.

Pangasius in Asian style

For preparation it is necessary:

• fish fillet – 0,5 kg;
• lime – ½ fruit;
• kaffir lime – 3-4 leaves;
• basil – 1 sprig;
• star anise – 2 pc.;
• cayenne pepper – 1 pc.;
• soy sauce – 0,5 tsp;
• sesame oil – 2 tsp;
• spices – optional.

Method of preparation:

1. The peel is peeled from the lime, the juice is squeezed out, and the zest is rubbed on a fine grater.
2. Pepper, star anise, kaffir lime leaves and basil are ground in a mortar.
3. Juice and citrus zest are added to the fragrant mixture. Pour in oil, soy sauce and mix thoroughly.
4. Pangasius fish fillets are washed and dried on a paper towel.
5. Coat fish on both sides with sauce and wrap in foil.
6. The oven is heated to 180 ° C, spread the fish and cook for 20-30 minutes.

To keep kaffir lime leaves fragrant and healthy, they can be frozen or dried. Before freezing, the leaves are thoroughly washed and dried. Then they are stacked and laid out in freezer bags. Frozen spice can retain aroma and beneficial properties for 2 years.

In order to dry kaffir lime leaves, they are washed under running water, laid out on a paper towel and removed to dry in fresh air, protected from direct sunlight. The dried spice is transferred to a linen bag and cleaned in a dry, dark place.

In medicine

To enrich the body with vitamins, increase immunity and maintain vitality, it is not necessary to prepare medicinal infusions, tinctures, extracts and decoctions from kaffir lime leaves. It is enough to add fresh or dry foliage to the diet.

Kaffir lime leaves are often used in folk medicine. They are capable of:

• increase acidity;
• eliminate insomnia;
• rejuvenate the skin by removing toxins and toxins;
• support the immune system and quickly restore the body after diseases;
• relieve pain and nervous tension;
• reduce blood sugar and remove bad cholesterol.

In cosmetology

In the East, due to its rich aroma and beneficial properties, kaffir lime citrus leaves are added to a variety of creams, shampoos, and lotions. Cosmetics are prescribed:

• with acne;
• for smoothing wrinkles;
• to give the skin a healthy glow and elasticity;
• to get rid of seborrhea;
• to strengthen nails;
• to eliminate freckle pigmentation.

Contraindications for use

Like any exotic product, kaffir lime can harm the body. Before eating the fruit, you need to know the contraindications. Citrus kaffir lime is not recommended to give:

• children under 10 years old, since the juice of the leaves improves the production of gastric juice and can lead to inflammation and internal bleeding;
• pregnant and lactating women, the introduction of a new product may adversely affect the health of the child;
• with exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
• people with food allergies – a large amount of vitamin C, which is found in kaffir lime leaves, can cause an allergic reaction, up to anaphylactic shock.

When purchasing kaffir lime, you need to know how it looks, therefore, in order not to make a mistake in choosing, you need to look at the photo.

What to substitute for kaffir lime leaves

In the preparation of culinary dishes, dried and fresh kaffir lime leaves are often used. Rarely fragrant seasoning can be purchased on the shelves of stores, therefore, in order to get an identical taste and smell, kaffir lime can be replaced with the following ingredients:

1. Bay leaf, lemon zest and citrus thyme – to prepare the seasoning, mix half of the chopped bay leaf, ½ tsp each. lemon peel and citrus thyme. Cooked seasoning is suitable for cooking soups, french fries, meat and fish dishes.
2. Citrus plant leaves – if fresh kaffir lime citrus leaves are not available, you can mix crushed lime, grapefruit and lemon leaves in equal proportions. Seasoning will not have a strong aroma, so it is added to dishes in a larger volume.

How to grow kaffir lime at home

To have fresh foliage on hand all year round, kaffir lime can be grown at home. After acquiring a plant, it is necessary to give it proper care. It consists in timely pruning, watering, feeding and observing the temperature and humidity conditions.

Lighting – kaffir lime is a heat-loving plant, prefers bright diffused light. The best place would be the east or west side. A citrus plant needs 12 hours of light to develop well.

Depending on the season, kaffir lime needs a certain temperature regime:

• in the spring-summer season, the temperature should be within + 25-30 ° C;
• in the autumn-winter period + 20-25 °C.

Subject to the temperature regime, kaffir lime will grow rapidly, bloom profusely and bear fruit.

Kaffir lime citrus requires high humidity throughout the year to develop well. To increase humidity:

• carry out daily spraying with warm water;
• once every 2 months a warm shower;
• install a humidifier next to the plant;
• a planter with a plant is placed on moistened expanded clay.

Main agrotechnical measures:

1. Watering. Kaffir lime needs regular watering, without stagnant moisture. Irrigation is carried out with warm, settled water after the top layer of the earth has dried. During hibernation, watering is reduced to 3 times a month.
2. Additional fertilizing. For better growth and development, once every 2 weeks, kaffir lime is fed with liquid fertilizers intended for citrus plants. Top dressing is bred and applied strictly according to the instructions. So that the root system does not get burned, kaffir-lime is abundantly shed before top dressing.
3. Trimming. The first crown formation is carried out immediately after purchase. The main stem of the plant is shortened, giving the development of lateral shoots. The following year, pruning of shoots is carried out by 1/3 of the length. Subsequent years carry out sanitary pruning and remove branches growing deep into the crown.
4. Transfer. Young kaffir lime is transplanted annually into a new larger pot by transshipment. An adult plant is transplanted only after the roots appear from the drainage holes.

In case of non-compliance with agrotechnical rules, insect pests often settle on kaffir lime: spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs. The first signs of the appearance of insects:

• stop in growth and development;
• the foliage is deformed, dries up and falls off;
• plaque on the ground part of the plant;
• the appearance of dark or gray spots on the leaf plate;
• the appearance of a thin web;
• there is a mass shedding of foliage.

You can get rid of insect pests by applying broad-spectrum insecticides.

Conclusion

Kaffir lime is a healthy, citrus plant that can be grown at home. By following the simple rules of care, you can get a beautifully flowering, fragrant tree with original fruits. Due to the high content of essential oils, the leaves are often used in cooking. They are added to soups, fish and meat dishes, desserts and cocktails.