Previous | Next

A Lime tree is a small evergreen tree about 8 feet tall (2 1/2 metres) that blooms with small, white flowers. While lemons will grow in some warmer climates, Limes will definitely only grow in the tropics.

There are two main varieties of Limes, Persian Limes and Mexican Limes. Mexican Limes are also called "Key Limes." Though Persian Limes look more promising, because they are bigger, their juice is not as flavourful as Mexican Limes.

Limes are picked when they are fully grown, but still green and unripe. If Limes are allowed to fully ripen on the tree, they actually turn from green to yellow. Because of this, some people believe (erroneously) that Limes are just unripe Lemons. Whereas, truth to tell, even the Lemons that we buy are unripe Lemons.

Limes have more sugar and citric acid than do lemons.

Choose Limes that are heavy for their size. Small brown russet patches on the skin don't affect the quality of the juice inside.

Substitutes
If the purpose is flavour (which it probably is), try lemon. If the purpose is just as a souring agent, try a vinegar.

Nutrition
1 Lime (2 inches or 5 cm long): 20 calories, 19.5mg Vitamin C, 7g carbohydrate

Equivalents
1 medium-sized Key Lime = 1 1/2 tablespoons of juice and 1 teaspoon of grated peel
1 medium-sized Persian Lime = 2 tablespoons of juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons of grated peel

Storage
Store in fridge for up to two weeks in a plastic bag to help slow down their drying out.

History

Limes are native to the East Indies. They were brought to the Mediterranean by the Arabs, to the New World by the Spaniards, and up to California from Mexico.

In the Middle Ages, Lemons and Limes were mixed up in people's minds.

Limes were distributed as part of rations to sailors in the British Navy to prevent scurvy -- thus their nickname "Limeys". The British Navy got their Limes in the West Indies.

Literature & Lore
The Limehouse basin and docks in London don't take their names from fruit Limes, but rather from kilns there in the 1300s that produced Quicklime for mortar.

Language Notes
The name probably comes from the Arabic word for lemon, "limun".

Also called:

Other entries for: Limes

Bearss Limes, Kaffir Lime Leaves, Key Limes, Lime Juice, Limes, Persian Limes, Rangpur Limes

Other entries for:

Citrus Fruit
Buddha's Hands Citron, Citron, Grapefruit, Kumquats, Lemons, Limau, Oranges, Pineapples, Pummelo, Tangelos, Yuzu, Zest

Other entries for:

Hard Fruit
Apples, Apricots, Avocado, Chayote, Guava Fruit, Kiwis, Mangos, Maypop Fruit, Medlars, Melons, Nectarines, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Peaches, Pears, Persimmons, Plums, Pomegranates, Quinces, Red Sorrel, Rose Hips, Sapote, Star Fruit, True Service Fruit

Other entries for:

Fruit
Bananas, Bletting, Candied Fruit, Dried Fruit, Drupes, Olives, Rhubarb, Soft Fruit

Related Recipes

Avocado & Shrimp Spinach Salad, Barbados Banana Bread, Coconut and Ginger Parsnips, Corn & Red Onion Salsa, Designated Driver Punch, Frozen Lime Pie, Golden Jubilee Chicken, Mojo (Cuban)