Original lime Defination

For other uses, see Lime (disambiguation).
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Unripened Key limes
Lime, raw (edible parts) Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 126 kJ (30 kcal)
Carbohydrates 11 g
- Sugars 1.7 g
- Dietary fiber 3 g
Fat 0.2 g
Protein 0.7 g
Water 88 g
Vitamin C 29 mg (48%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient database

Lime is a term referring to a number of different fruits, both species and hybrids, citruses, which are typically round, green to yellow in color, 3–6 cm in diameter, and containing sour and acidic pulp; they are a good source of vitamin C. Limes are often used to accent the flavours of foods and beverages. Limes are grown all year round and are usually smaller and sweeter than lemons.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Uses
o 1.1 Cooking
o 1.2 Other uses
* 2 Production trends
* 3 Plants known as "lime"
* 4 Gallery
* 5 References

[edit] Uses
[edit] Cooking
Zesting a lime

In cooking, lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its zest. It is a very common ingredient in authentic Mexican, Southwestern United States, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche. 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 Gulf-style baharat (a spice mixture that is also called kabsa or kebsa). Lime is an essential ingredient of any cuisine from India, and many varieties of pickles are made, e.g. sweetened lime pickle, salted pickle, and lime chutney.[1][2]

Lime leaves are also a herb in South, East, and Southeast Asia.

Lime is frequently used to add flavour to cold and hot drinks, including water, tonic and other cocktails.
[edit] Other uses

To prevent scurvy during the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus such as lemon, and later switched to lime,[3] which was not as effective at preventing scurvy but was easier to obtain on Britain's Caribbean colonies. It was later discovered that the greater effectiveness of lemons derived from the 4-fold higher quantities of vitamin C lemon juice contains compared to the West Indian limes used by the British.

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

In India, the lime is used in Tantra for removing evil spirits. It is also combined with Indian chilis to make a protective charm to repel the evil eye.[4] Furthermore, it was believed that hanging limes over sick people cured them of the illness by repelling evil spirits lurking inside the body.
[edit] Production trends

India, with about 16% of the world's overall lemon and lime output, tops the production list, followed by Mexico (~14.5%), Argentina (~10%), Brazil (~8%) and Spain (~7%).
Promotional photo for California limes, 1948
Top ten lemon and limes producers — 2007
Country Production (Tonnes) Footnote
India 2060000 F
Mexico 1880000 F
Argentina 1260000 F
Brazil 1060000 F
Spain 880000 F
People's Republic of China 745100 F
United States 722000
Turkey 706652
Iran 615000 F
Italy 546584
World 13032388 A
No symbol = official figure, P = official figure, F = FAO estimate, * = Unofficial/Semi-official/mirror data, C = Calculated figure A = Aggregate (may include official, semi-official or estimates);

Source: Food And Agricultural Organization of United Nations: Economic And Social Department: The Statistical Division
[edit] Plants known as "lime"

* Australian limes
o Australian desert lime (Citrus glauca)
o Australian finger lime (Citrus australasica)
o Australian round lime (Citrus australis)
* Blood lime
* Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) (kieffer lime; makrut, or magrood)
* Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) (Mexican, West Indian, or bartender's lime)
* Mandarin Lime (Citrus limonia)
* Musk lime (Citrofortunella mitis)
* Palestine sweet lime (Citrus x limettioides)
* Persian lime (Citrus x latifolia) (Tahiti or Bearss lime)
* Rangpur lime, a mandarin orange - lemon hybrid
* Spanish lime (Melicoccus bijugatus) (mamoncillo, mamón, ginep, quenepa, or limoncillo) (not a citrus)
* Sweet lime (Citrus limetta) (sweet limetta, Mediterranean sweet lemon)
* Wild lime (Adelia ricinella)
* Limequat (lime × kumquat)
* Lime tree (Tilia sp.)

[edit] Gallery

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Limes whole and halved.jpg
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Lime444.jpg
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Kaffir lime fruit
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Lime wedges are typically used in drinks
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Grocery store limes
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Lime and Blossom growing in south Spain