Kaffir Lime Leaves

Kaffir lime leaves come from the kaffir lime tree and are an essential ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese cooking. They are recognized by their distinctive double-leaf shape and intense citrus fragrance with a slightly bitter edge. They are added to soups, curry pastes, sauces, and broths, where they impart a fresh aromatic quality. The leaves are usually cooked whole and removed before eating, or sliced into very fine strips. Dried leaves have a less intense flavor than fresh ones. They are hard to substitute, but lime zest can be used in a pinch.