KAFFIR LIME

 

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 What is Kaffir Lime?

“Kaffir” comes from the German word “Kafer”, which means “bug”. This fruit is so named because it slightly resembles an insect. Some controversy surrounds the use of the “kaffir” name for this fruit because this word is used by white Afrikaners as a pejorative for black people, meaning “infidel”. This usage derives from the Arabic word “kafir”, which was used by Portuguese explorers to describe native Africans.

Kaffir Lime is a thorny, multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub or small tree that grows about 2 to 11 meters (6 to 35 ft.) tall often not straight, crooked with glabrous and spiny branches. The glossy, dark green leaves of the Kaffir lime tree are quite distinctive. Kaffir lime leaves look like two leaves joined together, as one appears to grow from the tip of the other. Kaffir lime leaves are most often used as an essential ingredient for flavouring many Asian dishes such as soups, curries and fish.Fruits are 5–7 cm in diameter; rind is thick, and pulp yellowish, very acid and bitter. So the juice and pulp are infrequently used in cooking. Fruit rinds are sour tasting but often used for flavouring in a diced-up or grated form. Seeds are numerous, ridged, ovoid-oblong. It is native to tropical Southeast Asia including southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

The bouquet and taste of kaffir lime are quite strong. The flavour is bright, fresh, and distinctly citrus, with more lime than lemon but without the same sharpness of the Western fruits.

Scientific Background:

The scientific name of kaffir lime is Citrus hystrix. It is also known as makrut lime or Mauritius papeda is a citrus fruit classified in the Rutaceae – Rue family. 

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Benefits of Kaffir Lime:

·       Treats Digestive Issues:

Kaffir lime consists of several phytochemicals that are anti-inflammatory and they are also stimulating for the digestive system. If one’s are suffering from constipation or indigestion, some kaffir lime decoction can clear one’s symptoms and get bowels back on a regular track. This can help prevent more serious gastrointestinal issues in the future, such as colorectal cancer, haemorrhoids, or gastric ulcers.

·       Reduce Stress:

Although people don’t think of kaffir limes are particularly useful in aromatherapy, the oil extracted from these powerful fruits can be used aromatically with great effect. If onesuffers from anxiety or various nervous disorders, spending some time inhaling these soothing vapours can calm the body and mind. 

·       Improves oral health:

Kaffir lime is quite beneficial in the protection of oral health. However, it is not the fruit itself that should be eaten for this, but rather the rind and the leaves. Leaves can be directly rubbed onto the gums to promote good oral health and remove harmful bacteria that can build up in the mouth. Oil extracted from kaffir limes can also be mixed in with organic toothpaste and mouthwashes to promote stronger oral and gum care.

·       Skincare:

Kaffir lime juice and extracts are mixed into many cosmetic and bath products for its wonderful smell, as well as its antioxidants properties. Few acids found in kaffir limes can help to neutralize free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular respiration that can cause cell mutation or apoptosis, as well as cancer. Antioxidant compounds can also slow the breakdown of cells and lessen the appearance of age marks, scars, and pimples.

·       Boost Immunity:

Antibacterial and antioxidant qualities of kaffir limes make them powerful tools to boost the immune system. Not only does the topical application prevent infections and bacteria from accumulating on the skin, but when consumed, kaffir limes can help prevent a wide variety of gastrointestinal illnesses and encourage the immune system via antioxidant effects.

·       Detoxifies Blood:

Oil of kaffir limes is often mixed in various decoctions for those suffering from blood-borne illnesses or chronic blood-related diseases. The unique mix of volatile compounds is known to eliminate those pathogens or foreign agents in the blood, while also helping the liver and lymphatic system strain out dangerous substances and improve your overall health.

·       Lowers inflammation:

Kaffir limes can be a wonderful remedy for those who are suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, oedema, gout, or some other inflammatory condition. You can use the juice, leaves, or oil extracts topically on the area where you are experiencing discomfort or pain, and you can also consume the fruit and the juices to enjoy a similar effect. This anti-inflammatory effect also makes kaffir lime juice beneficial for headaches and migraines.

·       Haircare:

Applications of kaffir lime juice and leaves are considered quite beneficial for proper hair care.  You can apply decoctions and mixtures to the scalp and hair to slow the start of male pattern baldness and strengthen the follicles of the hair. This can also moisturize the skin to prevent dandruff and improves the appearance and shine.It also contains citronella oil, one of the primary constituents in kaffir lime, is quite effective in detangling, helping to make curly hair easier to manage. It also adds volume by infusing an electrical charge on hair strands that cause them to repel each other. It also removes dirt and grease from hair too. It could be added to shampoo to achieve desired effects.

·       Mind relaxing:

Homemade kaffir leaves essence by cutting the leaves into small pieces and scrubbing it with water, let idling for an hour or more and putting it on a bottle to be sprayed in the room. Breathing and smelling the natural smell of kaffir limes leaves will automatically lead to peaceful and serenity ones, hence relaxing one’s mind.

·       Cure sprue:

Kaffir lime leaves and fruits are one of the biggest sources of vitamin C that work well for curing sprue. It is a condition results from an immune (allergic) reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat and related grains and present in many foods that we eat. Sprue causes impaired absorption and digestion of nutrients through the small intestine.The sprue is caused due to lack of water and vitamin C inside the body. Consuming warm water of infused kaffir limes leaves can help you reduce the sprue and boost your immune to produce more Vitamin C.

·       Bad Cough:

Combining kaffir limes leaves with honey or palm sugar and pour them into a cup of warm water can work even better and more naturally to heal bad cough and make one’s throat becomes clean and fresh.

 

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How to incorporate kaffir limes in one’s diet?

Kaffir Lime can be added to various recipes like

·       Adding some limes leaves into your salad and soup,

·       Simply mix it into the sauce,

·       Blend the kaffir limes leaves into a powder or smooth slices to get a better function and taste and combine with more vegetable,

·       Fruit and leaves are popular spice ingredient in Asian cooking

·       Juice of the fruit is often used for scouring dishes.

·       It is also added to fish or meat to make them more tender and fragrant or to flavour grilled fish and grilled beef.

·       The fruit is used for seasoning and to prepare drinks teas

·       Peels are dried, preserved and candied.

·       Zest of the fruit is used as a flavour in rums.

·       The jus is also made into refreshing drinks.

 

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Cooking with kaffir lime:

Cooks 'bruise' or crush fresh leaves in their hands to help release their aromas before adding them to a dish. When using dried leaves, the heat and moisture of cooking them release their flavor. Aside from soups and broths, kaffir lime leaves can also be used to infuse anything from a pickling juice to a salt cure or sugar syrup. It's a little more unusual, but some recipes use fresh kaffir lime leaves as an ingredient in their own right, either pounding them into a pulp or slicing them finely.

 

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Availability of Kaffir Lime:

Kaffir Limes are easily available in local markets as well as online in convenient price throughout the world.

Hence, it is scientifically proven that kaffir limes have numerous health benefits so one’s should incorporate them in their diet.

Musharrafa Asad

References:

o   How to Cook With Kaffir Lime Leaves—Great British Chefs. Retrieved December 23, 2020, from https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/how-to-cook/how-to-cook-with-kaffir-lime-leaves

o Hystrix_2454. Retrieved December 21, 2020, from https://citrusvariety.ucr.edu/citrus/hystrix_2454.html

o   Kaffir Lime facts and health benefits. Retrieved December 21, 2020, from https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/kaffir-lime/

o   Kaffir Lime Leaves Information, Recipes and Facts. Retrieved December 21, 2020, from https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Kaffir_Lime_Leaves_332.php

o   Kaffir lime racist? Murky origins suggest a racial slur might be responsible for the fruit’s name. Retrieved December 21, 2020, from https://slate.com/culture/2014/07/kaffir-lime-racist-murky-origins-suggest-a-racial-slur-might-be-responsible-for-the-fruits-name.html

o   What Are Makrut Lime Leaves and How Are They Used? Retrieved December 21, 2020, from https://www.thespruceeats.com/makrut-lime-leaves-overview-3217014