All About Makrut Lime

Makrut limes have a unique flavor among citrus fruits. They have a sour, citrus freshness you may come to expect from a type of lime - only much more intense and concentrated. These hard to find limes have an astringent flavor that’s very sour and aromatic. Some fans of makrut limes describe the flavor as mildly soapy. Their juice has a concentrated bitter flavor, and can’t compare to conventional lime juice. The floral, sour and astringent flavor of the juice is much more complex and tastes best when used with other ingredients.

About the size of a golf ball, makruts have lush, dark green color on their bumpy textured skin. Underneath their skin is a thick, whitish pith that’s inedible. Inside, the makrut lime has more segments than your average lime, but with similarly light green, glimmery fruit inside. Each section of fruit contains whitish, inedible whitish yellow seeds that are hard and bitter tasting.

Makrut limes are versatile fruits that can be prepared easily to use in recipes. Unlike traditional limes, the flavor in the zest, juice and fruit of the makrut lime is very sour and is typically used as a spice. The most popular ways to prepare a makrut lime is by slicing, juicing, zesting and squeezing. They’re relied upon as a staple ingredient around the world including South African, Middle Eastern, Thai, Filipino, and Chinese cuisines.

These special citrus fruits grow natively in southern China and countries across Southeast Asia, and are cultivated throughout the world. The makrut lime tree is considered a dwarf citrus, and grows to be about five feet high. Their leaves, prized in culinary use for their citrusy flavor, are dark, shiny green and have a unique double lobe shape. In parts of North America, the makrut lime tree bears fruit year round.

Once known as “kaffir” limes, this moniker has evolved to their Thai name, “makrut” limes. The word “kaffir” has offensive origins, particularly within South African and Middle Eastern cultures. Thus, fans of the fruit along with the farming and culinary communities prefer the name from where makrut limes grow natively in Thailand.

Makrut lime trees are native to southern China and countries across Southeast Asia. The tree from which these brainy little limes grow is cultivated throughout the world. In parts of North America, the makrut lime tree bears fruit year round.

The makrut lime tree is considered a dwarf citrus, and grows to be about five feet high. Their leaves, prized in culinary use for their citrusy flavor, are dark, shiny green and have a unique double lobe shape.

Autumn is the peak time to find makrut limes. They tend to grow vigorously and can be cultivated year round.

Whether a makrut lime is certified organic or not will depend on the farm where it was grown. At FruitStand, we only partner with the best specialty farms for exceptional quality of produce. When each harvest is available, we'll tell you whether the fruit is considered organic or conventional.

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