Lime Facts
Lime Facts
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| Interesting Lime Facts: |
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| Lime is small tree that usually grows to the height of 16 feet. |
| Lime has shrub-like appearance due to multiple, irregular branches with numerous short twigs. Some types of lime are spiny. |
| Lime has ovate leaves with entire margins. Leaves are glossy, light or dark green colored. They are alternately arranged on the branches. |
| Lime produces small, star-shaped, white or yellow flowers. They are often arranged in clusters. Flowers are fragrant. |
| Lime blooms and produces fruit all year round. In the northern hemisphere, lime produces greatest quantity of flowers and fruit from May to September. |
| Fruit of lime is oval or globular-shaped. It has small nipple on top of it. Fully ripe fruit is yellowish green colored. |
| Fruit is covered with thin peel. Transparent membrane divides greenish flesh into segments. Each segment contains hundreds of miniature sacs filled with juice. Fruit continues to ripen after the harvest. |
| Lime has tangy sour taste, more acidic compared to lemon. Sweet lime is a sort of lime that has sweet flavor. It grows in tropics. |
| Lime can be propagated via seed, cuttings and root sprouts. |
| Lime is rich source of dietary fibers and vitamin C. It contains 4 times less vitamin C than lemon. |
| Lime is used for the preparation of limeade, and various alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails and beverages. Lime juice and zest are often used for the preparation of marinades for meat (juice softens meat and improves flavor of cooked meals). Lime zest is ingredient of numerous pies. Pickled lime is integral part of Indian cuisine. Marmalade made of lime is popular in Australia. Lime leaves are consumed in South and East Asia. |
| Scurvy (disease that results from vitamin C deficiency) was widely spread among the sailors in the 19th century. Since lemon was expensive, lime was selected as second best natural cure for this disease. British sailors were obliged to consume one lime per day to prevent development of scurvy. Unusual diet is the reason they (British sailors) are known as "limeys" today. |
| Essential oils extracted from lime have application in the cosmetic industry for the production of fragrances. Citrus-rich aroma, typical for lime, is popular and often used in manufacture of cleansing products and in aromatherapy. |
| India is the greatest manufacturer of lime in the world. |
| Lime is perennial plant with a lifespan of over 10 years. |
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