Kaffir Lime Leave

[chopp]

Are kaffir lime leave illegal in New York?

If not why don't the supermarkets sell them?

Is it legal to grow your own in Manhattan NY?

Cheers,
KL Lover

[edwardspk]

And if you have the slightest green thumb and a sunny window, kaffir lime trees are quite easy to grow in pots and make interesting house plants. My dwarf variety easily stays about 3 feet tall and is pretty compact. Fresh kaffir lime leaves whenever I want them!

[hungryinmanhattan]

I have found them dried at Kalutsyan's but they are much better fresh. I bought some organic fresh leaves on line and they freeze very well.

[MikeG]

Kaffir lime leaves aren't illegal anywhere in the US as far as I know, but in citrus-growing states there are restrictions on what trees can be grown where, and there are also restrictions on interstate shipping of citrus/products, both due to the spread of the plant disease "citrus canker". So while the leaves were never exactly common, they have become a little scarcer in the last 10 or so years. As to your last question, it's perfectly legal to grow them - I have one on my windowsill that I grew from seed.

[kathryn]

You can also get them at Eataly.

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Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

[penthouse pup]

You can purchase Kaffir Lime leaves at Bangkok Food Center on Mosco Street or Kalutsyan's on Lexington Avenue at 28th Street.

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Kalustyan's
123 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Bangkok Center Grocery
104 Mosco St, New York, NY 10013

[comiendosiempre]

Agreed. Bangkok grocery on Mosco is the best Thai grocery store in the NYC area. They have everything and friendly owners.