Is it banned in Germany?

Where does the name kaffir lime come from?

Why the exotic citrus variety is called "kaffir lime" in many European languages ​​remains an unsolved mystery to this day. Actually, it is an insulting term, after all, "Kaffir" was a very disparaging expression for people of color, especially in the colonial times. The Xhosa ethnic group in South Africa was given this name during the apartheid period. The term "kaffer" is now classified as hate speech and is therefore prohibited.

Does the kaffir lime get its name from Arabic?

But the plant, which is very widespread in Southeast Asia, does not necessarily have to get its name from the "Kaffirs". Instead, there is a second type of interpretation, according to which the word has received from the Arabic “kafir” for “unbeliever” or “village” (in the sense of “backward”). However, this derivation does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the actual meaning of the name.

Import of kaffir limes is not prohibited

Apart from the very strange name - whose origin will probably not be deciphered anytime soon - circulate from time to time Time and again rumors on the web that the import of kaffir limes and other Southeast Asian products / goods is prohibited were. Well, the lovers of Thai cuisine don't need to worry because the kaffir lime is and will remain in In times of the Internet, quite readily available - even if such an import ban has not yet been addressed or implemented were. Kaffir limes are now also grown in specialized nurseries, whereby the trees are usually pulled from cuttings and refined on a suitable base. You can purchase such a plant in any online gardening store.

Related types of kaffir lime

Related types of kaffir lime are, for example, the Alemow (Citrus macrophylla) with its large, fragrant fruits and the Melanesian papeda (Citrus macroptera). The former is often used as a grafting base, the latter is an impressive plant with huge, shiny leaves and orange-sized fruits.

Fresh leaves and fruits are not available in supermarkets

In contrast to the whole plant, however, fresh leaves and fruits are not available in German supermarkets. You can only use dried or Buy frozen kaffir lime leaves in specially assorted Asian shops - but only rarely there because these spices are not often in demand. The fruit peels or the fruits themselves are neither fresh nor dried in Germany - there is simply no market for that. So if you would like to cook original Thai, you basically have no choice but to purchase a small kaffir lime tree - don't worry about it Maintenance is not particularly laborious.

Tips & Tricks

Instead of the leaves of the kaffir lime or whose fruit peel also use the leaves and peel of our commercial lime (Key lime or Mexican lime, Latin: Citrus aurantiifolia). This is easier to get (in any supermarket). However, dishes prepared from it do not taste as aromatic as the original.