Kaffir Lime Leaves?

Question

Where can I buy FRESH kaffir lime leaves? Can you grow them here? Where do you get the seeds? I have never seen the fresh ones here, are they available?

Answer 1

Kaffir Lime Seeds

Answer 2

I live here in Metro Manila, Philippines and I was able to grow four Kaffir lime plants from seed in January 2007. However only two of the plants are fast growers. Presently, the biggest one is about eight inches tall. However, I still have not harvested its leaves which are about twelve or so in number.

Answer 3

I buy them in Toronto Canada at an Asian Market and if you can find them, they freeze very well, also if you cannot find fresh ones there are dried ones.

There is also in some Asian stores, from Thailand an extract you can buy, I was a chef for 20+ years and worked in Asia, they are not hard find there as you find them used in Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisines.

Depending on were you live, a good Asian or Vietnamese store, grocery or even a Chinese shop might have them but they could be the dried variety. With the dried type like a bay leaf you just place them in your soup or broth to rehydrate, but like bay leaves they should not be consumed, the fresh can be.

Answer 4

I have a kaffir lime tree growing in my garden, which I use the leaves from (as well as fruit) They are definitely superior flavour-wise, but normal lime leaves are perfectly fine to use. I would even use lemon tree leaves if I had no lime tree, still works great. Just use the newest tender leaves. Happy cooking!

Answer 5

you can buy kaffir lime leaves over the internet from a online thai food stores that have fresh items. then when you have the leaves just put them in a sealable bag and freeze them, they will last foreverr.

Answer 6

Where is "here"? Hard to help when we don't know

This is a tropical plant and will grow in warm and hot climate only. Although I have seen people grow them in Sydney, Australia. But any attempt to grow them lower than Sydney had been unsucessful as the weather is too cold.

My mother had grown one successfully but only after keeping it inside the house for years and then virtually built it a hothouse when it grew too big to be inside.

According to her - it can ONLY be grown from a seed. You might like to speak to Asians who may have them grown in their homes to see how they do it and where to get the seed from. ( I can not help you because my mother passed away 11 years ago )

Answer 7

Go to your local garden centre - most here in W.Australia have them.

My Mum has had a tree for years - i take a bag full every time i visit. They are the most fragrant lovely leaves.

Answer 8

Usually in the produce dept of an ethnic grocery store (Thai, Indian, etc.)