Lime (fruit)
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2008-07-16T02:38:21Z
Kubigula
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/76.224.112.1|76.224.112.1]] to last version by J.delanoy (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{otheruses3|Lime}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Lime
| image = backyard limes.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = Unripened Key limes
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Rosidae]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Rutaceae]]
| genus = [[Citrus]]
}}
{{nutritionalvalue | name=Lime, raw (edible parts) | water=88 g | kJ=126 | protein=0.7 g | fat=0.2 g | carbs=11 g | fiber=3 g | sugars=1.7 g | vitC_mg=29 | source_usda=1 | right=1 }}
'''Lime''' is a term referring to a number of different fruits (generally [[citrus]]es), both [[species]] and [[Hybrid (biology)|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]]. Limes are often used to accent the flavors of foods and beverages.
== Varieties ==
The most commonly available commercial limes (or Limon) are the larger, greener [[Persian lime]] (''Citrus × latifolia'') and the smaller, yellower [[Key lime]] (''Citrus aurantifolia'') (also known as the Mexican Lime)<ref>[http://www.keylime.com/diff.html Comparison of Key and Persian lime fruits]</ref>. "Key lime" is an [[American English|American]] [[retronym]], as the original fruit known in [[English language|English]] as a "lime" was ''Citrus latifolia'', derived from the [[Persian language|Persian]] name لیمو, ''limu'' (the fruit was introduced to [[Europe]] during the [[Crusades]]).
Other lime varieties include the
* [[Mandarin lime]] (''Citrus limonia'')
* [[Kaffir lime]] (''Citrus hystrix'')
* various [[Australian lime]]s
* [[Sweet lime]] (''Citrus limetta'')
* [[Palestine sweet lime]] (''Citrus limettioides'')
* and [[calamondin|musk lime]] (''X Citrofortunella mitis'').<ref>[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/calamondin.html Calamondin]</ref>
The [[limequat]] is a lime-[[kumquat]] hybrid.
== Uses ==
=== Drinks ===
Lime fruit, and particularly their [[juice]], are used in [[beverage]]s, such as [[limeade]] (akin to [[lemonade]]). [[Alcoholic beverage]]s prepared with limes include [[cocktail]]s 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 [[shot glass|shots]] accompanied by lime wedges and salt. [[Beer]] is often served with limes in [[Mexico]]. Lime juice is the primary ingredient of [[Bonji Water]], a popular drink in southern parts of [[Kerala]], [[India]]. Lime juice is also used in some commercial [[soft drinks]].
=== Cooking ===
In [[cooking]], lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its [[zest (ingredient)|zest]]. It is used in [[Key lime pie]], a traditional [[Florida]] [[dessert]], and is a very common ingredient in authentic Mexican, [[Cuisine of the Southwestern United States|Southwestern United States ]] and Thai dishes. It is also used for its [[pickling]] properties in [[ceviche]]. Additionally, the leaves of the Kaffir lime are used in [[southeast Asia]]n cuisine. The use of dried limes as a flavouring is typical of [[Persian cuisine]]. Limes are also an essential element in [[Tamil cuisine]].
=== Other uses ===
In order to prevent [[scurvy]] during the 19th century, [[Royal Navy|British sailors]] were issued a daily allowance of citrus such as lime (presumably ''Citrus aurantifolia''){{Citesources}} , which led in time to the nickname "[[Alternate words for British|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 [[perfume]]s, cleaning products, and [[aromatherapy]].
==Production trends==
[[Image:2005lemon and lime.PNG|thumb|right|[[Lemon]] and lime output in 2005]]
According to FAO, Mexico produced almost 12% of the global output of lemons and limes in 2005 followed by India, Argentina, Iran and Brazil.
==Plants known as "lime"==
*[[Australian lime]]s
**[[Citrus glauca|Australian desert lime]] (''Citrus glauca'')
**[[Citrus australasica|Australian finger lime]] (''Citrus australasica'')
**[[Australian round lime (fruit)|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'')
*[[Calmondin|Musk lime]] (''X Citrofortunella mitis'')
*[[Palestine sweet lime]] (''Citrus limettioides'')
*[[Persian lime]] (''Citrus x latifolia'') (a.k.a. Tahiti or Bearss lime)
*[[Mamoncillo|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)
*[[Lime tree]] (''Tilia'' sp.)
==Notes==
<references />
==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
Image:Citrus hystrix dsc07772.jpg|Kaffir lime fruit
Image:Lime CDC.jpg|Lime wedges are typically used in drinks.
Image:Lime closeup.jpg|Limes are usually used for reference.
Image:Limes.jpg|Grocery store limes
Image:Lime_Blossom.jpg|Lime and Blossom growing in south Spain.
</gallery>
</center>
==References==
{{commons|Lime}}
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mexican_lime.html ''Citrus aurantifolia'' Swingle]
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/tahiti_lime.html Tahiti Lime]
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/tropical/lecture_32/lec_32.html Hort 403 - Lecture32]
*[http://www.foodreference.com/html/artkeylimes.html Key Limes (''Citrus aurantifolia'')]
==External links==
*[http://www.innvista.com/health/foods/fruits/limes.htm History and varieties of limes]
[[Category:Citrus]]
[[Category:Flora of the Maldives]]
[[ca:Llimona dolça]]
[[id:Jeruk limau]]
[[bg:Зелен лимон]]
[[da:Lime]]
[[de:Echte Limette]]
[[es:Lima (fruta)]]
[[fr:Lime (fruit)]]
[[ko:라임]]
[[it:Citrus aurantifolia]]
[[he:ליים]]
[[ms:Limau Nipis]]
[[nl:Limoen]]
[[ja:ライム]]
[[no:Lime]]
[[nn:Lime]]
[[pl:Lima (roślina)]]
[[pt:Lima (fruta)]]
[[ru:Лайм]]
[[simple:Lime]]
[[sl:Limeta]]
[[fi:Limetti]]
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[[th:มะนาว]]
[[zh:青檸]]