LIME (FRUIT)

'Lime' is a term referring to a number of different fruits (generally citruses), both species and hybrids, which are typically round, green to yellow in color, 3-6 cm in diameter, generally containing sour pulp, and frequently associated with the lemon.

Contents

Varieties

Uses

Limes in drinks

Limes in cooking

Other uses

Lime Associations & Organizations

Production trends

Fruits known as "lime"

See also

Notes

Gallery

References

External links

Varieties

The limes most commonly available commercially are the smaller, yellower Key lime (''Citrus aurantifolia'') and the larger, greener Persian lime (''Citrus × latifolia'').^[1] "Key lime" is an American retronym, as the original fruit known in English as a "lime" was ''Citrus aurantifolia'', derived from the Persian name لیمو, ''limu'' (the fruit was introduced to Europe during the Crusades). Other limes include the Mandarin lime (''Citrus limonia''), Kaffir lime (''Citrus hystrix''), the various Australian limes, Spanish lime (''Melicoccus bijugatus''), wild lime (''Adelia ricinella''), sweet lime (''Citrus limetta''), Palestine sweet lime (''Citrus limettioides''), and musk lime (''X Citrofortunella mitis'').^[2] The limequat is a lime-kumquat hybrid, and 'Omani lime' (A small lime with a very strong flavor and fragrant aroma)

Uses

Limes in drinks

Lime fruit, and particularly their juice, are used in beverages, such as limeade (akin to lemonade). Alcoholic beverages prepared with limes include cocktails such as gin and tonic, margarita, mojito, Caipirinha and Cuba libre, as well as many drinks that may be garnished with a thin slice of the fruit or corkscrew strip of the peel (twist). One customary consumption of tequila is in shots accompanied by lime wedges and salt. Beer is often served with limes in Mexico, as well as some other countries. Lime juice is also used in commercial soft drinks.

Limes in cooking

In cooking, lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its zest. It is used in Key lime pie, a traditional Florida dessert, and is a very common ingredient in authentic Mexican and Southwestern American dishes. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche. Additionally, the leaves of the Kaffir lime are used in southeast Asian cuisine. The use of dried limes as a flavoring is typical of Persian cuisine and Sprite.

Other uses

In order to prevent scurvy during the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus such as lime (presumably ''Citrus aurantifolia''), which led in time to the nickname "limey" for all Britons. It was later discovered that this beneficial effect derived from the quantities of Vitamin C the fruit contains.
Lime extracts and essential oils are frequently used in perfumes, cleaning products, and aromatherapy.

Lime Associations & Organizations

AFABLE (Association For A Better Lime Experience) was founded in 2002. This organization seeks to promote the use of lime in everyday cooking, and believes that lime needs better culinary representation. AFABLE members believe that lime is the most flavorful, delicious citrus.

Production trends

According to FAO, Mexico produced almost 12% of the global output of lemons and limes in 2005 followed by India, Argentina, Iran and Brazil.

Fruits known as "lime"

★ Australian limes

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★ Australian desert lime (''Citrus glauca'')

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★ Australian finger lime (''Citrus australasica'')

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★ Australian round lime (''Citrus australis'')

★ Blood lime

★ Kaffir lime (''Citrus hystrix'') (a.k.a. kieffer lime; makrut, or magrood)

★ Key lime (''Citrus aurantifolia'') (a.k.a. Mexican, West Indian, or Bartender's lime)

★ Mandarin lime (''Citrus limonia'')

★ Musk lime (''X Citrofortunella mitis'')

★ Palestine sweet lime (''Citrus limettioides'')

★ Persian lime (''Citrus x latifolia'') (a.k.a. Tahiti or Bearss lime)

★ Spanish lime (''Melicoccus bijugatus'') (a.k.a. mamoncillo, mamón, ginep, quenepa, or limoncillo) (not a citrus)

★ Sweet lime (''Citrus limetta'') (a.k.a. sweet limetta, Mediterranean sweet lemon)

★ Wild lime (''Adelia ricinella'')

★ Limequat (lime × kumquat)

See also

★ Lime tree (''Tilia'' sp.)

Notes

1. Comparison of Key and Persian lime fruits
2. Calamondin

Gallery

References

★ ''Citrus aurantifolia'' Swingle

★ Tahiti Lime

★ ''Citrus'' (Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Naartjie genus)

★ Hort 403 - Lecture32

★ Key Limes (''Citrus aurantifolia'')

External links

★ History and varieties of limes