Lime (fruit)

For other uses, see Lime.
The fruit and flower of a Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia)
Makrut lime fruit

A lime is a citrus fruit, which is typically round, green in color, 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) in diameter, and contains acidic juice vesicles.[1]

There are several species of citrus trees whose fruits are called limes, including the Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), Persian lime, Makrut lime, finger limes, blood limes, and desert lime. Limes are a rich source of vitamin C, are sour, and are often used to accent the flavours of foods and beverages. They are grown year-round.[2] Plants with fruit called "limes" have diverse genetic origins; limes do not form a monophyletic group. The term lime originated in other languages (from French lime, from Arabic līma, from Persian līmū, 'lemon').[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference eb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Rotter, Ben. "Fruit Data: Yield, Sugar, Acidity, Tannin". Improved Winemaking. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  3. ^ "lime". The American Heritage Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016.