Citrus Information
Botanical Name :: Citrusaurantifolia
Indian Name :: Niboo
Description
The lime is an important fruit of citrus group. It is very popular all through the tropics and is used as a necessary adjunct in everyday meal. It is regarded as a health-building food of great value. Limes are generally mistaken for lemons, but they represent two varieties of the same genus. The lime is smaller in size than the lemon, with a thin smooth skin. It has sweet smell and contains less juice than the lemon. The lime grows on a small, multi-branched tree up to 5 me. in height, with spiny branches, small green leaves and white and strongly scented flowers.
There are many varieties of limes, differing in size, color and shape. They are, however, classified into two main groups, namely, the sweet and the acid limes. The sweet limes contain a. higher proportion of sugar but they have an insipid taste and are not considered to be of high nutritive value. They are, therefore, not grown on any great scale. Acid or sour limes, on the other hand, are extensively cultivated as their importance as food and medicine has been recognized for centuries. The two most popularly known varieties are Pari and Kagzi niboo
Origin and Distribution
The lime is believed to have originated in India, where it has been grown since remote times. Arab traders are believed to have taken it to Eastern Mediterranean and Western countries in about l000 AD. The Spaniards took it to the New, World early in their colonization. It has since spread throughout the tropics, where it is the most commonly cultivated species of the acid citrus.
Food Value
Acid limes are excellent source of free citric acid, natural sugar, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. It contains by far more vitamin C than the lemon. It is generally used for its juice which is taken in various ways. The best way to use it is to take with water. The lime juice forms an indispensable ingredient of salads. In fruit salads, it helps to retain the normal color of fruits and imparts tart flavor. It is often mixed with cooked pulses, soups, sauces and gravies to make them more tasty and palatable.
Healthy Citrus
All citrus fruit falls under the category of what is known as acid fruit. The acid fruits are the most detoxifying fruits you can buy/eat, and excellent foods for health.
Although they truly are very good for you, when you have a bug like the flu, you should avoid citrus fruits because the body could overreact detoxifying and make you even sicker.
Some people might have mild digestive problems with these fruits because of the acid content. However, the acid is a healthy and organic nutritional element. For instance: ascorbic acid is vitamin c, found most abundantly in fruits and vegetables.
Other people have one type of fruit that irritates the body or that they just don't care for. This can be caused by an allergic reaction - it's important for you to determine if any reaction you may have to any fruit is allergic.
Some irritations can actually be linked to lactose intolerance. Stories are known of people whose stomach irritation for freshly squeezed orange juice disappeared after cutting down strongly on cow milk products. Many people find relief from these symptoms with the use of acidophilus.
Lime disease (Lyme disease), or borreliosis, is a highly infectious disease which is most commonly caused by spirochete bacteria from the tick genus Borrelia, not from Limes
The lime is a small shrublike tree (Citrus aurantifolia) of the family Rutaceae (rue family), one of the citrus fruit trees, similar to the lemon but more spreading and irregular in growth.
Lime facts
Although limes are rarely consumed by themselves, the tart and tangy little fruit packs a powerful punch when it comes to adding flavour to both beverages and recipes! What better way to escape into a mental tropical vacation than by treating yourself to cuisine such as grilled chicken kissed with fresh lime juice, followed by a tall, cool glass of sweet limeade? And with summer still months away, there's no better time to do it than right now. As all fruits and vegetables, limes are overflowing with nutritional value. They are fat and cholesterol free, low in calories, high in vitamin C, and a good source of fibber.
Health Benefits
Lime are fat- and cholesterol-free, low in calories, a good source of fibber, and high in vitamin C. They also contain phytochemicals, which may help protect against cancer and other diseases.
Fun Facts
- Limes are native to India. They were probably introduced in the New World in the late 15th century by Christopher Columbus, who carried lime seeds with him on his second voyage.
- Why are Englishmen called "Limeys"? Limes contain Vitamin C, which combats scurvy. During the 19th century, English soldiers were rationed one lime (which cost less than lemons) a day to fight this complaint.
Selection Tips
Limes with light-green skins are juicier. Choose ones that have smooth, shiny skin and feel heavy for their size.Storage
Store limes in the refrigerator. To get the most juice out to add to your recipes, keep limes at room temperature before squeezing.More lime facts..
The health benefits of lime include weight loss, skin care, good digestion, relief from constipation, eye care, and treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcer, respiratory disorders, gout, gums, urinary disorders, etc.
The first fruit that comes to our minds when it comes to medicinal uses is perhaps the good old lime. This sour citrus fruit can do what many specialist medicines cannot. Lime, bearing the scientific name Citrus Aurantifolia, is being used for ages for treatment of various ailments.
Lime is consumed throughout the world in sorbets, beverages, refreshing drinks, pickles, jams, jellies, snacks, candies, sugar boiled confectionaries and culinary and the oil extracted from its peel or skin is extensively used in soft drink concentrates, body oils, cosmetics, hair oils, tooth pastes, toilet and beauty soaps, disinfectants, mouth washes, deodorants and innumerable other products. There are many varieties of lime found all over the world, particularly in the tropical and the Mediterranean climates.
