Lime
(Redirected from Kaffir lime)
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Lime
The citrus genus is complex, and lime does not point to a specific one - the group we call limes is informal rather than botanical grouping
When we say 'lime', the actual thing we point to varies even just withing english-speaking countries, though there most usually is the Persian lime, itself a cross between Key lime and lemon.
Kaffir lime
The Kaffir/Makrud tree (Citrus hystrix) produces kaffir lime / makrut lime / limau purut. They have a rougher surface than many others in the group, and a specific taste.
In Thai and Indonesian cooking, the tree is primarily used for its leaves.
In various languages
- Dutch: Papeda, Kafferlimoen, djeroek poeroet (dutch transliteration from Indonesian), jeruk purut, limau purut
- also Limoenblad to refer to the leaves
- Indonesian: Jeruk purut, Limau purut
Some suggest 'Makhrut lime' or 'makrud lime' (from its Thai name) as a replacement term since Kaffir has an offensive etymology.