Herb
Murraya koenigii
S tier
Murraya koenigii is the curry leaf tree—pinnate aromatic leaves that smell nutty, citrusy, and savoury when torn, nothing like curry powder. South Indian tadkas are incomplete without a few fresh leaves crackled in oil. Use fresh whenever possible; dried leaves are a faint ghost. Species is sometimes reclassified as Bergera koenigii in newer taxonomy—same kitchen plant. Grow in warm climates or as a container tree.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
ChutneyDried Weak SubstituteFresh ChopOil Temper
Traits
AromaticCitrusCitrus-NuttyEssentialFresh BestSavouryTadka LeafTrue Culinary Species
History
IN
South Indian cookery centred Murraya leaves in everyday tempering.
Botanists described Murraya koenigii for European science.
Diaspora demand made fresh curry leaf a global produce item.
Taxonomic moves toward Bergera did not change kitchen use.