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cooking for health | ||||
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Other names: Thai limes, Thai limes, Magrut (Thai) Mak khi hout (Laotian) Origin: Thailand, Burma, Laos, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia Resembling the Western lime, but slightly smaller, this small Southeast Asian citrus fruit has bright yellow-green skin and glossy, dark green leaves. The leaves come in 2 parts: the top leaf is slightly pointed at the tip and is attached to another leaflet beneath, that is broader on the upper edge. In tropical Thailand, it is common for almost every home to have its own Makrut Lime tree. This accounts for the abundance of dishes that include Makrut Lime in the ingredient list. Thai folklore proclaims that Makrut Limes freshen one’s mental outlook and ward off evil spirits! In the United States, those areas that are know for their citrus-friendly climates, like California and Florida, have begun to cultivate fresh Makrut Limes. The juice is seldom used in cooking, while the peel and leaves, with the high concentration of aromatic oils is indispensable in many curry pastes. Where to find: Look in Asian Markets and the produce sections of some natural markets for both the dried and fresh rind and leaves. To use: Thinly slicing the leaves, is the best way to utilize the amazing lemon-floral essence in salads, stirfrys and custard-like curries. To sliver, stack 3-4 leaves of similar size together and slice them with a sharp knife. It is faster to cut diagonally, or to roll a few of the leaves at a time into a tight roll, before slicing. When used in soups, add the leaves whole to flavor the broth, as you would a bay leaf. Health Attributes: Makrut Lime is known to promote oral health, when used in brushing the teeth and gums. In addition, it is similar to lemongrass and ginger, in that the rind is known to have beneficial properties to the digestive system. Other Uses: If you can find it, the juice of the lime is an effective cleanser and a natural deodorizer. Shampoos made from the essences are invigorating to the scalp and leave the hair free of build up. A few drops of the juice mixed with detergent work as an alternative to a chemical bleach. |
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