Lime (fruit)

The difficulty in identifying exactly which species of fruit are called lime in different parts of the English-speaking world (and the same problem applies to homonyms in other European languages) is increased by the botanical complexity of the citrus genus itself, to which the majority of limes belong. Species of this genus hybridise readily, and it is only recently that genetic studies have started to throw light on the structure of the genus. The majority of cultivated species are in reality hybrids, produced from the citron (Citrus medica), the mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), the pomelo (Citrus maxima) and in particular with many lime varieties, the micrantha (Citrus micrantha).

• Australian limes (former Microcitrus and Eremocitrus)
  • Australian desert lime (Citrus glauca)
  • Australian finger lime (Citrus australasica)
  • Australian lime (Citrus australis)
  • Blood lime (red finger lime × (sweet orange × mandarin) )
• Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix); a papeda relative, is one of three most widely produced limes globally.[4]
• Key lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia=Citrus micrantha × Citrus medica[5][6][7]) is also one of three most widely produced limes globally.[4]
• Musk lime (calamondin, Citrofortunella mitis), a kumquat × mandarin hybrid
• Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia) a key lime × lemon hybrid, is the single most widely produced lime globally, with Mexico being the largest producer.[4]
• Rangpur lime (Mandarin lime, lemandarin,[8] Citrus limonia), a mandarin orange × citron hybrid
• Spanish lime (Melicoccus bijugatus); not a citrus
• Sweet lime etc. (Citrus limetta, etc.); several distinct citrus hybrids
• Wild lime (Adelia ricinella); not a citrus
• Wild lime (Zanthoxylum fagara); not a citrus
• Limequat (lime × kumquat)

Note that the tree species known in Britain as lime trees (Tilia sp.), called linden in other dialects of English, are broadleaf temperate plants unrelated to the citrus fruits.

Lime (and lemon) production, 2018 (in millions of tonnes)
Country	2018
India	3.1
Mexico	2.5
China	2.5
Argentina	2.0
Brazil	1.5
Turkey	1.1
World	19.4

Nutrition of limes, raw

Limes, whole and in cross section
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	126 kJ (30 kcal)
Carbohydrates	10.5 g
Sugars	1.7 g
Dietary fiber	2.8 g
Fat	0.2 g
Protein	0.7 g
Vitamins	Quantity %DV†
Thiamine (B1)	3% 0.03 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	2% 0.02 mg
Niacin (B3)	1% 0.2 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)	4% 0.217 mg
Vitamin B6	4% 0.046 mg
Folate (B9)	2% 8 μg
Vitamin C	35% 29.1 mg
Minerals	Quantity %DV†
Calcium	3% 33 mg
Iron	5% 0.6 mg
Magnesium	2% 6 mg
Phosphorus	3% 18 mg
Potassium	2% 102 mg
Sodium	0% 2 mg
Other constituents	Quantity
Water	88.3 g
Full Link to USDA Database entry
Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Although the precise origin is uncertain, wild limes are believed to have first grown in Indonesia or Southeast Asia, and then were transported to the Mediterranean region and North Africa around 1000 CE.[2]

To prevent scurvy during the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus, such as lemon, and later switched to lime.[9] The use of citrus was initially a closely guarded military secret, as scurvy was a common scourge of various national navies, and the ability to remain at sea for lengthy periods without contracting the disorder was a huge benefit for the military. British sailors thus acquired the nickname "Limey" because of their use of limes.[10]

The Lime Panic of 2014 saw a massive increase in lime prices due to a perfect storm of strong weather in Mexico that destroyed many blossoms on lime trees, and Mexican cartels that hijacked lime transport trucks and warehouses for financial gain.

In 2018, world production of limes (combined with lemons for reporting) was 19.4 million tonnes.[11] The top producers – India, Mexico, China, Argentina, Brazil, and Turkey – collectively accounted for 65% of global production (table).[11]

Limes have higher contents of sugars and acids than lemons do.[2] Lime juice may be squeezed from fresh limes, or purchased in bottles in both unsweetened and sweetened varieties. Lime juice is used to make limeade, and as an ingredient (typically as sour mix) in many cocktails.

Lime pickles are an integral part of Indian cuisine. South Indian cuisine is heavily based on lime; having either lemon pickle or lime pickle is considered an essential of Onam Sadhya.

In cooking, lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its zest. It is a common ingredient in authentic Mexican, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. Lime soup is a traditional dish from the Mexican state of Yucatan. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche. Some guacamole recipes call for lime juice.

The use of dried limes (called black lime or loomi) as a flavouring is typical of Persian cuisine and Iraqi cuisine, as well as in Persian Gulf-style baharat (a spice mixture that is also called kabsa or kebsa).

Lime is an ingredient of many cuisines from India, and many varieties of pickles are made, e.g. sweetened lime pickle, salted pickle, and lime chutney.

Key lime gives the character flavoring to the American dessert known as Key lime pie. In Australia, desert lime is used for making marmalade.

Lime is an ingredient in several highball cocktails, often based on gin, such as gin and tonic, the gimlet and the Rickey. Freshly squeezed lime juice is also considered a key ingredient in margaritas, although sometimes lemon juice is substituted. It is also intimately associated with many rum cocktails such as the Daiquiri, and tropical drinks - especially within the Tiki culture.

Lime extracts and lime essential oils are frequently used in perfumes, cleaning products, and aromatherapy.

Raw limes are 88% water, 10% carbohydrates and less than 1% each of fat and protein (table). Only vitamin C content at 35% of the Daily Value (DV) per 100 g serving is significant for nutrition, with other nutrients present in low DV amounts (table). Lime juice contains slightly less citric acid than lemon juice (about 47 g/l), nearly twice the citric acid of grapefruit juice, and about five times the amount of citric acid found in orange juice.[12]

Lime pulp and peel contain diverse phytochemicals, including polyphenols and terpenes,[13] many of which are under basic research for their potential properties in humans.[14]

Contact with lime peel or lime juice followed by exposure to ultraviolet light may lead to phytophotodermatitis,[15][16][17] which is sometimes called margarita photodermatitis[18][19] or lime disease[20] (not to be confused with Lyme disease). Bartenders handling limes and other citrus fruits while preparing cocktails may develop phytophotodermatitis.[21]

A class of organic chemical compounds called furanocoumarins are reported to cause phytophotodermatitis in humans.[22] Limes contain numerous furanocoumarin compounds, including limettin (also called citropten), bergapten, isopimpinellin, xanthotoxin (also called methoxsalen), and psoralen.[23][24] Bergapten appears to be the primary furanocoumarin compound responsible for lime-induced phytophotodermatitis.[23][24]

Lime peel contains higher concentrations of furanocoumarins than lime pulp (by one or two orders of magnitude),[23][24] and so lime peels are considerably more phototoxic than lime pulp. Persian limes appear to be more phototoxic than Key limes.[23]

• Lime production in Mexico
• List of citrus fruits
• List of culinary fruits varieties

• Food portal
• Media related to Lime at Wikimedia Commons