Southeast Asia

Makrut Lime Peel

Citrus hystrix, fruit peel (the fruit itself is notably bumpy and yields little juice).

Fruit peel/zest.

Part Used

Fresh zest or dried.

Form

The same plant as yuzu; the peel/zest used separately from the leaf.

Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

Intensely aromatic, floral-citrus, more concentrated than common lime zest.

Aromatic addition to curry pastes, distinct from the whole leaf's use.

Thai curry pastes calling specifically for the zest rather than the leaf.

Galangal, lemongrass, chile.

Grate or finely mince fresh zest directly into a curry paste base.

Fresh keeps about a week refrigerated; dried keeps months.

Regular lime zest, in greater quantity, as an approximation.

Thai curry paste base.