Fresh Kaffir Lime Leaves in London?

[adamfletcher]

Does anyone know of anywhere in London that stocks fresh kaffir lime leaves?

I've tried Seoul Plaza in Golders Green, and New Loon Moon and a couple of other places in Chinatown but haven't found anywhere that stocks fresh ones.

Plenty of places stock dried kaffir leaves but I've no idea how they compare. Can they be rehydrated and used as a substitute? I've been using lime zest as a substitute but not completely happy with the results.

[DollyDagger]

I got some great recommendations on this thread recently:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/606790

Looks like Sri Thai in Shepherds Bush or Tawana in Westbourne Grove might have what you're looking for. I haven't tried the place in Camden yet but it sounds like it might be closer for you - it's next to the Taste of Siam Thai restaurant, south of Camden Town station.

Dried are fine but fresh is infinitely better.

[greedygirl]

You can normally find them in the frozen section of Asian supermarkets. That's by far the best way to store them and they defrost in seconds. I'd be amazed if New Loon Moon etc didn't have them. I get mine from Wing Tai in Brixton.

[spli]

The spice store near Portobello Road sells them (http://www.thespiceshop.co.uk/). They sell online as well. They freeze well.

[Plantie]

I found frozen ones in my local Waitrose, give them a go!

[DollyDagger]

Also, the Thai Festival is next weekend in Greenwich Park - there will be plenty of food stalls, so you might even find lime leaves there. Sounds like a nice way to spend the day anyway.

http://www.amthai.co.uk/festival/

[adamfletcher]

Thanks all - the place in Camden is pretty handy for me so will try there.

If the weather is good next weekend the Thai festival looks like a great day.

[jimbo01]

Just to let you know that it is now illegal to sell imported fresh lime leaves in the UK due to some EEC citrus law so your best bet will be to buy frozen .. even the shop in camden only sells frozen now at 70p a small packet .. you can buy a huge pack in china town for £1.90

[Harters]

"Just to let you know that it is now illegal to sell imported fresh lime leaves in the UK due to some EEC citrus law"

Someone should tell this company, then.

http://www.thai-food-online.co.uk/products/fresh-foods/fresh-herbs/kaffir-lime-leaves.asp

Although, of course, they may be EU grown. As the Food Standards Agency points out on its website, whilst import into the EU is now prohibited foir reasons of disease control, many EU plant nurseries now grow kaffir limes and sell the leaves. Here's one in the UK:
http://www.citruscentre.co.uk/kaffir.htm

[greedygirl]

If you look at that website, it says they have to be frozen when transported in from Thailand.