lime leaf source

[tschmidlin]

I'm trying to find a source for fresh Thai lime leaves, aka makrut, aka kaffir lime leaves.  My old source seems to be having problems, I don't know if they are still open.

Does anyone have a source that has quality fresh leaves and isn't crazy expensive?  There are sources that are $30 an ounce, which is silly.  I'm thinking more like $8 an ounce, which is more than I paid last time but still reasonable.

I'm going to check locally when I'm near the appropriate stores, but I hate to go on a wild goose chase.

[punatic]

I have no need to pursue an untamed ornithoid.  At $8/ounce I have a couple of money trees growing in my yard.  Unfortunately the USDA is REAL picky about shipping botanicals from here to there, particularly citrus lately.

[phillamb168]

You could try these guys: http://www.royalthaisupermarket.co.uk/dried-kaffir-lime-leaves-50g.html - about $1 an ounce.
Since it's dried it shouldn't be a problem coming through customs.

Edit: just checked shipping, $6 with shipping for 2 ounces.

Also, do you have to have fresh? These are dried... If they're for putting in a beer, dried should be doable?

[erockrph]

Jeebus. At those prices why don't you just buy a whole tree?

http://www.amazon.com/Kaffir-Grafted-Dwarf-Container-Growing/dp/B0038DHMMA

[tschmidlin]

You could try these guys: http://www.royalthaisupermarket.co.uk/dried-kaffir-lime-leaves-50g.html - about $1 an ounce.
Since it's dried it shouldn't be a problem coming through customs.

Edit: just checked shipping, $6 with shipping for 2 ounces.

Also, do you have to have fresh? These are dried... If they're for putting in a beer, dried should be doable?

Thanks Phil, I haven't tried dried but I've read that they really lose something during the drying process and fresh is much preferred.

I use them to make my own Thai curry paste, I freeze cubes and then just throw one or two into the dish when cooking.  I ran out or my cubes though.

[tschmidlin]

Jeebus. At those prices why don't you just buy a whole tree?

http://www.amazon.com/Kaffir-Grafted-Dwarf-Container-Growing/dp/B0038DHMMA

I might do that   I don't think the price is really that out of control, a little goes a long way, but having my own plant would be nice.  I just put the kumquat back outside for the summer, so it wouldn't be my only citrus plant.

[Delo]

Do you have H-marts? H-marts are Korean but they also carry ingredients for other Asian cuisine. Some Whole Foods have them if you are lucky. 

[tschmidlin]

The nearest H-Mart is kind of far and out of the way, but I might go for it.

We have Uwajimaya, which is where I usually shop for Asian ingredients, but it is hit or miss if they have them and they are usually pretty pricey.

[Delo]

Can't speak for their price of kaffir leaves, or if the one near you definitely has them, since a lot of stores dont always carry the same items.  Everything else there is cheap and fresh so it may be worth going there with a shopping list.

[tschmidlin]

Thanks for the tip - I may find myself in that area in the next week or so, if I do I'll drop in and see what they have.

[punatic]

All of the citrus growing regions of the US are under quarantine.  This may be why it is difficult to find fresh leaves.

[tschmidlin]

All of the citrus growing regions of the US are under quarantine.  This may be why it is difficult to find fresh leaves.

Yeah, but I don't live in a citrus growing region so it should be harmless to ship here.  No shipping from CA to FL makes sense, CA to WA not so much.

[punatic]

That's logical, but since when do logic and the USDA intersect?

[morticaixavier]

I got lime leaves at an african market at one point but that was quite a while ago.

[tschmidlin]

I stopped in at Uwajimaya and they had them!  They're going for $90 per pound, which is under $6 an ounce.  I got about an ounce and a half, but at least I know they have them for now.  I was also able to get the galangal, Thai basil, lemongrass.  Plus assorted other groceries and some Japanese import beers and a pork belly to make bacon and salt pork.

While I was in the area I went to the International Deli and picked up some kielbasa type sausages and dried fish.

Good shopping trip.