Limes

Usually smaller than lemons, limes are oval or round ins shape having a diameter of one to two inches with green flesh and skin.

Nutrition Info Limes
Limes are an excellent source of Vitamin C and they are a great substitute for lemons. They can be used for drinks, seafood dishes, chicken, meats, desserts, cakes, biscuits and marmalade.

Of special interest in limes have been flavonoids called flavonol glycosides, including many kaempferol-related molecules. While these flavonoids have been shown to stop cell division in many cancer cell lines, they are perhaps most interesting for their antibiotic effects.

In several villages in West Africa where cholera epidemics had occurred, the inclusion of lime juice during the main meal of the day was determined to have been protective against the contraction of cholera. (Cholera is a disease triggered by activity of the bacteria called Vibrio cholera). Researchers quickly began to experiment with the addition of lime juice to the sauce eaten with rice, and in this role, lime juice was also found to have a strong protective effect against cholera.

Uses for Limes
In cooking, lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its zest. Perhaps most famously, it is used in Key lime pie. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche. Additionally, the leaves of the Kaffir lime are used in Southeast Asian cuisine. The use of dried limes as a flavouring is typical of Persian cuisine.

Lime Trivia Facts
Limes are sold green yet they colour to yellow if left on the tree. I suppose we're so conditioned to 'lime green' in our colour language, that we don't question it much, but if a lime is left to ripenit becomes natural yellow on the tree.

They can be either sour or sweet depending on the variety; however, sweet limes are not readily available in the United States. Sour limes contain citric acid giving them an acidic and tart taste, while sweet limes while lack citric acid and are sweeter in flavor.

Click here to see if fresh limes are currently available in our organic fruit section of our healthy online shopping site