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Kaffir Lime Leaves seem to be a common ingredient in Thai food, particularly coconut based dishes. I have never seen them in Atlanta, and I've looked (farmers market, whole foods, normal grocery, but not an Asian grocery store). What is the flavor profile of these leaves? Is there a good substitute?

Aaronut
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yossarian
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    Is there a reason you haven't looked at the Asian grocery? I find in the UK at least they have what I'm looking for and also stock tonnes of other things I didn't know I was looking for, until I saw them! – vwiggins Oct 18 '10 at 11:27
  • @vwiggins, The asian grocery stores in Atlanta are 45 mins drive from my house in an area of town I never visit. – yossarian Oct 18 '10 at 13:31
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    an intriguing comment, from a sociological perspective... – Doug Mar 10 '11 at 13:28
  • @doug, Ha. Another way of putting it would be that I live downtown and the asian grocery stores are in the suburbs. I don't go *anywhere* 45 mins from my house. – yossarian Mar 10 '11 at 14:40
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    There is an asian grocery store over by the Dekalb farmer's market. You might also try the Indian stores just south of North Dekalb Mall. As far as living downtown and not going to the Atlanta suburb, I strongly concur. I only cross 285 in a plane. – Dave Griffith Aug 15 '11 at 22:49
  • I have seen Kaffir Lime leaves in the fresh herbs and spices section of Whole Foods, I don't know if that is more or less convenient than the Asian market for you though! – Nadia May 18 '11 at 02:17
  • Substitues - 0 Sources in atlanta - 2 : Buford HWY farmers market . I have purchased from there twice, but its hit or miss , they sell out as fast as they can stock them . The neighborhood has seen a shift from primarily mexican to a more vietnamese/korean/mexican mix , so if you check on the right day , you can score . I have left many times with no leaves tho. The Asian Market just west of Dekalb Farmers Market , next to pinups. They have them frozen , in the season also fresh, and all the year in planters. –  Jul 04 '13 at 17:28

9 Answers9

16

I wouldn't attempt to substitute. I've read somewhere that you can use regular lime leaves, but I've never seen those anywhere. Even Googling for lime leaf turns up kaffir lime leaves.

They can be found easily enough online: ImportFood.com. They freeze well for months in just a zip-lock bag.

The flavor profile is best described as a bright floral aromatic. It's similar in function, not taste, to a bay leaf. Thai cuisine uses kaffir lime leaves much as we do bay leaves.

If you decide buying online isn't worth the hassle, then Kitchen Savvy suggests the following substitute:

  • 1/2 a small bay leaf
  • 1/4 tsp of lime zest
  • 1/8 tsp of fresh lemon thyme
hobodave
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I agree that there is no true substitute, but if I were going to try, I'd use the zest of 1 lime for every 2 kaffir lime leaves. I wouldn't do the bay leaf or lemon thyme suggested above.

Michael Natkin
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4

There's the option of using Kaffir Lime essential oil - it is the best substitute I know of, much better than the dried Kaffir Lime leaves we can get around here (Israel). It is truly wonderful.

Here's the one I use:

http://thaifoodessentials.com/buy/

It's quite cheap and lasts for a long time (you only need a few drops per dish). The website also has some instructions on how to use it, but generally, you want to add it towards the end of cooking, close to serving.

Daniel Zoran
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They used to sell them all the time at the Buford Hwy Farmer's Market (Buford Hwy & I-285), but have gone home empty handed that last few times I've looked. Last time I bought them was sometime this spring. The Atlanta Farmer's Market used to have them, but they've closed. 99 Ranch Market is closed. Java did not have them. Rumor has it that Your Debalb Farmer's Market might have them.

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Just an FYI, I have been to Asian stores that used to carry Kaffir lime leafs. They no longer stock them due to FDA (USA) import rules or so the owner told me. He suggested calamansi limes.

KatieK
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I used to buy curry and kaffir lime leaves at the DeKalb farmer's mkt (Atlanta), but have been told recently that the USDA has banned import in attempt to preempt certain microbes, bacteria, diseases. Dunno what that is really about. In the end, they are no longer available there. However, if you live in a tropical, sub-tropical latitude, you can grow your own.

Stephen F.
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I bought mine from Amazon.com.

I'd found that there are different types of Asian grocery stores, and not all cater to all types of cooking. For instance, Philipino stores don't necessarily carry what a Thai recipe may require. So, even if you were to venture out, (Doug must not have driven in Atlanta) you couldn't assume they'd have what you're looking for.

Go mail order.

KatieK
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Susan
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I found them in Wegmans, and I've seen them in a couple of supermarkets - but just in a jar in oil. Similar to a small jar of thai curry paste. Same size, labeling, etc.

Not how I expected to find them, so be on the look-out.

Alex
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  • I've gotten jarred kafir leaves, and though they do seem to have a lot of flavor, I'm not sure how much of it's coming from the leaves or the liquid they're in. They do seem to go bad pretty quickly once opened, even when refrigerated. – Doug Kavendek Nov 04 '12 at 18:04
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I think lemongrass has a similar super floral citrusy flavor.

Maybe lemongrass with a little lime zest.

mraaroncruz
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  • Lemon grass has a _very_ different flavor to the kaffir lime leaf (and besides, is already a part of most thai curries). – Arafangion Jan 21 '11 at 11:19