Can you eat kaffir limes?
In this brief guide, we will address the query, “Can you eat kaffir limes?” We will also discuss the uses, storage, health benefits, and side effects of eating kaffir lime.
Can you eat kaffir limes?
Kaffir limes are edible, but often they are overlooked for eating mostly because of their undesirable taste. Kaffir lime is used in recipes in many ways to make food taste delicious.
What is kaffir lime?
Kaffir limes are citrus fruits that are grown on the kaffir lime tree (Citrus lystrix). They are also known as makrut limes. The lime fruit is small, green, and round and generally grows to 2 inches. It also has bumpy, thick rind, knobby and wrinkled skin.
The kaffir lime fruit has a bitter crusty lemongrass taste and hence it is not desirable to eat it raw. It is native to Indonesia and is commonly used in Thai cuisine and in other countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
It is picked green, before completely ripening when its concentration of flavor is at its maximum.
How can you store kaffir lime?
If you obtain fresh green kaffir lime, it can stay up to a total of seven days in a fruit basket before ripening. If you want to increase its shelf life then you place the kaffir lime in an airtight plastic bag and keep frozen in the refrigerator.
One can also peel the fruit for zest and keep frozen for future use while the lime juice can be frozen into ice cubes which can later be popped out and placed in a bag in the fridge for later use.
What are the uses of kaffir lime?
- Aid indigestion
- Blood detoxification
- Improve hair health
- Boost skin health
- Promoting oral health
- lower inflammation
- Zest making
- Food flavoring
- Eases Anxiety
Aiding indigestion
The kaffir lime is believed to have active components like those found in lemongrass and so drinking concoctions of its lime juice may aid in soothing the digestive system in case of indigestion or constipation.
It can also help prevent future ailments such as colon cancer and gastric ulcers but more research is needed
Blood detoxification
The kaffir lime contains antioxidants that aid in blood detoxification. Antioxidants are active components that help reduce free radicals in our blood. This is mainly achieved by mixing kaffir lime oils in various decorations.
Improve hair health
Kaffir lime juice decoction can be applied on the scalp to strengthen hair follicles and also reduce the chances of early baldness.
It can also be used in hair products to increase their effectiveness in improving hair health.
Boost skin health
Kaffir lime juice and extracts are mixed with soaps and ointments and help reduce wrinkles and pimples on the skin due to their antioxidant properties.
Oral health promotion
Oil extracts from kaffir lime can be incorporated in organic mouthwash and toothpaste for strong teeth and gums free of bacteria.
Lower inflammation
Kaffir lime juice and oil extracts can be applied in areas with inflammation or pain to reduce the effects. It is believed to aid in the prevention of ailments such as arthritis, edema, and some physical dysfunction.
Food flavoring
Zest from kaffir lime is used in preparing Thai curry paste, it has aromatic components which also aid in food flavoring.it is used in different recipes to make food taste delicious
The kaffir lime can be made into marmalade and curd and the juice is incorporated into drinks to enhance flavor.
Eases Anxiety
Kaffir lime essential oil extract is believed to have great anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects which help bring a soothing and calming effect on the mind and body. Kaffir lime also has a sedative effect that induces sleep and relieves stress.
What do you need to consider when eating kaffir lime?
It is not recommended to directly drink kaffir lime essential oil due to its strong property as it can lead to nausea, dizziness, vomiting, lightheadedness, and other distressing side effects. It is recommended to always combine the extracted oil with water or another diluent liquid and to seek professional medical advice before making major changes to your supplement diet.
The bottom line
As you can see, it is evident that kaffir lime is fit for consumption and has many health benefits to our body in general and so it can be incorporated into our diet once in a while to help us live a healthy life and to make our food delicious due to its aromatic components. So, what will you do with your kaffir lime?
Other FAQs about Lime that you may be interested in.
Can you eat key lime pie when pregnant?
Do limes need to be refrigerated
How to counteract too much lime juice?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, “Can you eat kaffir limes?” We have also discussed the uses, storage, health benefits, and side effects of eating kaffir lime.
