Lately I was so disappointed when I was looking for kaffir lime leaves in the Asian groceries here in Melbourne. They were much larger, almost double size from the ones that I used to know in Indonesia. Then I noticed that these leaves had different smell. To me the smell was more like ordinary citrus leaves. Although they were also double lobed, they were definitely lacking of that unforgettable aroma.
The kaffir lime leaves aka ‘daun jeruk purut’ (Indonesian name) that I used to know in Indonesia were highly aromatic. When you crush them the whole room will be full of the delightful fragrance. Actually, this specific fragrance gives some of Indonesian cuisine a certain taste and aroma and you cannot change it by using different kind of citrus leaves.
Out of disappointment, I tried to look for kaffir lime tree to grow that were sold in nurseries and markets. All of them had very large leaves and less specific kaffir lime aroma. Then one day, I saw an Asian man in Caribbean market sold kaffir lime plants that had small leaves, very thorny branches and the most important that the foliage had that of Indonesian jeruk purut smell. Actually there were no labels on the plants and I asked him if they were kaffir lime. He said that they were good variety of kaffir lime and you could tell by the many thorns. Yes, when I picked one leaf and I crushed it with my fingers, the unmistakably fragrance filled my nostrils.
There must be some different varieties of kaffir lime trees (Citrus hystrix). I don’t know how many, but I noticed two different kinds.
- One that has larger double lobed leaves, less aromatic and the tree has few or almost no thorns. Robust and grows very quickly.
- The other one has smaller double lobed leaves that are smoother on the surface and have specific ‘jeruk purut’ fragrance, very thorny branches and grows less vigorous.
Anyway, I am so glad that now I have my own jeruk purut tree which is to me is the real kaffir lime. The same kaffir lime leaves that have unmistakably ‘daun jeruk purut’ fragrance like the ones that we have in Java, Indonesia.
Our friend in Coburg has the less fragrant Kaffir lime tree, hers also has bigger foliage, hardly any thorns, different smell and it is growing much quicker that ours. Both her tree and ours are still young and never bear fruits so far.
Note: The name Citrus ‘hystrix’ points to the fact that this citrus species is ‘thorny’. Hystrix in Latin means porcupine-like which is prickly.
Here is some comparisons of the two different varieties of Kaffir Limes (Citrus Hystrix):
17/10/2014: Kaffir Lime fruit:
Interesting links to read about Kaffir lime:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/citrus/msg0316305821285.html?7rial
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UPDATE:
My thanks to Sub for the confirmation about the existence of 2 different Kaffir Limes varieties from Balitjestro (Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Plants Research Center) in Indonesia:
It is confirmed that there is not only 1 variety of Kaffir Lime. Farmers in Indonesia identify at least 2 varieties which are: commercial Kaffir Lime and Kaffir Lime with large thorns. Farmers do not prefer the ones with large thorns as they are harder to harvest and to maintain, and also the leaves are smaller though they are more aromatic. For this reason, Kaffir Lime variety with large thorns is hard to find nowadays.
Jeruk Purut ternyata tidak hanya 1 jenis. Petani mengenal setidaknya ada 2 jenis, yaitu jeruk purut komersial umumnya dan jeruk purut dimana batangnya berduri besar. Petani memilih untuk tidak mengembangkan jeruk purut yang berduri besar karena duri yang besar menyulitkan panen dan perawatan, ukuran daunnya pun kecil meskipun aromanya lebih kuat. Sehingga jeruk purut jenis ini saat ini sulit ditemukan.
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To conclude this writing:
How interesting that now, even in Indonesia the larger foliage and less fragrant Kaffir Lime variety has also become commercial growers preference. I just hope that the true old variety of Kaffir lime that is thorny with very specific fragrance will still be available in nurseries for home gardeners to grow. Don’t lose the real thing!!!!
Henry
Jan 08, 2015 @ 09:33:24
Thank you for your documentary about the Kaffir lime plant. I have to say the plant that we have is like a “two in one” . Our plant has three main branches, two do not have thorns while the other one has. We suspect our plant was grafted using a root stock. The leaves on thornly branch has no fragrance and has different leave shape while the other branches has the correct leave shape and strong fragrance. Because we only want a Kaffir lime plant so we prune off the thornly branch.
Lois
Jan 08, 2015 @ 10:51:15
That is very interesting, as long you are happy with the aroma. Kaffir lime is widely used in Thailand and also in Indonesia. Though some nurseries claim that the thorny kaffir lime tree is the inferior variety, the one that I have which is very thorny (have to be careful when I pick the leaves) is the best that I can find with the same fragrance as the ones that are available in Indonesia. Maybe the kind that is used in Thailand is different from the one used in Java, Indonesia? No idea, I have never been to Thailand. Thank you for reading:)
sub
Aug 03, 2015 @ 06:17:16
Thank you for the article Lois, that confirm what I’ve read here: http://balitjestro.litbang.pertanian.go.id/id/jeruk-purut-tulungagung-layak-untuk-dikembangkan.html
Lois
Aug 03, 2015 @ 09:53:47
Thanks to you too for the confirmation 🙂 To me personally, the bigger jeruk purut leaves aren’t as nice (smell and taste different) as the smaller ones with bigger thorns. It’s a pity to lose the more aromatic species.
sub
Aug 03, 2015 @ 19:11:43
Your’re welcome !
I’m actually growing Kaffir Limes from fruits bought at the asian supermarket, they are not fragrant at the moment (only a faint scent on some when you rub the leaves) but they have already plenty of thorns. 😀
Lois
Aug 04, 2015 @ 12:14:49
Wow, I am impressed 🙂 Growing them from seeds must had taken so long time to germinate and much more time to grow big.
One day I will propagate my kaffir lime tree by using air layering method (Indonesian = cangkok) . I had to wait until the tree is bigger and healthier after recovering from recent gall-wasps problem.
KaffirLimeFans
Aug 26, 2015 @ 05:43:51
Read your article and glad to hear success from seeds. Yes, I like the thorny kaffir variety. I live in CO and couldn’t find fresh kaffir limes here. I tried to apply for a “Small Lot of Seeds Permit” from U.S. Dept. of Agriculture but they didn’t approve – that deny me of purchasing seeds online. So, I have a request since you’re in the U.S.:Would you be nice enough to ship me some seeds? I’ll pay the shipping.
Lois
Aug 26, 2015 @ 10:13:44
I am in Melbourne Australia, it’s not possible to send seeds to US. And also my tree hasn’t produced fruits so far. The picture was the one that I bought in an Asian shop long time ago. There must be some Asian Grocery Shops in Colorado where you can buy kaffir lime fruits.
I think ‘Sub’ is from Belgium? The IP address points that way 🙂
sub
Aug 05, 2015 @ 06:37:24
They’ve germinated very quickly, I was amazed !
I’ve soaked the seeds for one day in warm water, peeled the teguments before sowing.
The seedlings started sprouting one week after (they where in a propagator with a heating mat)
After that, things started to go very slowly…
Lois
Aug 05, 2015 @ 09:44:13
Beautiful ! Thanks for all the photos to complete this post about Kaffir Lime. The thorny and highly aromatic Kaffir Lime variety should be widely available in nurseries so people can have a choice.
sub
Aug 26, 2015 @ 22:07:12
@KaffirLimeFans: try to ask on forums:
http://www.idigmygarden.com/forums/showpost.php?p=987924&postcount=7
http://citrus.forumup.org
p.s: It is vital that you use fresh seeds. Unlike common garden seeds, lemon seeds don’t germinate properly if dried or stored for long periods
KaffirLimeFans
Sep 05, 2015 @ 06:38:53
Good lead! I’ll spend some time reading all the info. May try to ask pepperhead212 too. Thks,
Yongly Cheng
Sep 25, 2016 @ 22:16:29
we can buy kaffir lime seed online in Amazon or Ebay
Thun K
Mar 31, 2019 @ 06:47:59
Thank you so much for this article. I agree 100% with you. I currently purchased a kaffir tree that has larger leaves, tiny to little thorns, and faint fragrance. This is much different from what I am used to to what I’ve experienced in Thailand with smaller and smoother leaves, larger thorns, and very aromatic.
Lois
Mar 31, 2019 @ 09:49:54
Thank you. My tree with smaller leaves and big thorns is now suffering badly from gall wasps.