British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has announced that he will no longer use the name « kaffir lime leaves » in his recipe books and TV shows because of concerns about the word’s racist connotations.
Oliver, 46, has already removed the strained nickname from his online recipe for quick chicken laksa while the TV chef’s team plans to review and edit previous content that used the term, the Daily reported Mail.
« I can confirm that we are also making the change – to lime leaves – and will no longer use the term in the future, » a source close to the « Oliver’s Twist » moderator of the publication said in a statement .
Derived from the Southeast Asian citrus hystrix plant, kaffir lime leaves are a popular ingredient in everything from Indonesian traditional medicine to Thai coconut curry, which they add a pinch of flavor.
Unfortunately, the origin of the name isn’t exactly tasty: “Kaffir” is a highly insulting bow that was historically used to refer to black people, particularly in South Africa during the apartheid era of the 20th century. Nowadays, a person who mentions the K-word there can potentially put a person in jail.
In order to avoid a renewed heating of the racial tensions, Oliver plans to replace “kaffir lime leaves” only with “lime leaves”. The celebrity chef’s decision comes after Tesco, Waitrose and other UK chains banned the use of the word on their products.
The limes are not the only foods being redesigned in the name of racial harmony. On this side of the pond, snack brands from Uncle Ben to Aunt Jemima have revamped their controversial images to promote equality following the police killings of George Floyd and other blacks.
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