Key lime | What is Key lime Fruit | Uses and Health Benefits of Key lime Fruit

Key lime | What is Key lime Fruit | What are the Health Benefits of Key lime Fruit | Types of Key Lime | Uses of Key lime Fruit and its Juices | Nutritional Value of Key lime Fruit

Key limes are also known as Mexican lime and West Indies lime. Cultivated for thousands of years in the Indo-Malayan region, this variety has long been treasured for its fruit and decorative foliage.

The Key lime made its way to North Africa and the Near East via Arabian traders, and then carried on to Palestine and Mediterranean Europe by the Crusaders. Columbus is credited with bringing the Key lime to Hispaniola (now known as Haiti), where it was carried on by Spanish settlers to Florida.

The Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is a citrus species with a globose fruit, 2.5-5 cm in diameter (1-2 in), that is yellow when ripe but usually picked green commercially. It is smaller, seedier, has a higher acidity, a stronger aroma, and a thinner rind than that of the Persian lime (Citrus x latifolia). It is valued for its unique flavor compared to other limes, with the key lime usually having a more tart and bitter flavor. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. It is also known as West Indian lime, Bartender’s lime, Omani lime, Tahitian lime or Mexican lime, the latter classified as a distinct race with a thicker skin and darker green color.

C. aurantifolia is a shrubby tree, to 5 m (16 ft), with many thorns. Dwarf varieties are popular with home growers and can be grown indoors in winter in colder climates. The trunk rarely grows straight, with many branches that often originate quite far down on the trunk. The leaves are ovate 2.5–9 cm (1–3.5 in) long, resembling orange leaves (the scientific name aurantifolia refers to this resemblance to the leaves of the orange, C. aurantium). The flowers are 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter, are yellowish white with a light purple tinge on the margins. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year but are most abundant from May to September.

Types of Key Lime Fruit and its Juices

* If you can’t obtain fresh Key limes or bottled Key lime juice, Persian lime juice is the next best substitute.

* Another possible substitute for Key lime juice is lemon juice, but it should not be substituted for Key lime juice in recipes that hinge upon Key lime juice’s distinctive flavor.

* Rose’s lime juice is bottled, sweetened Key lime juice.

* If you are making a sweet cocktail, you can substitute Rose’s lime juice for Key lime juice.

* The calamondin is a small Asian citrus fruit that is quite similar in flavor to lemons and limes.

* Calamondin juice can be successfully substituted for Key lime juice as well.

* Finally, passion fruit juice can be a delicious substitute for Key lime juice, despite the fact that the two fruits taste nothing alike.

Uses of Key Lime Fruit and its Juices:

1. Key lime juice is used in cocktails, curries, dressings, fruit drinks, jams, jellies, marmalades, marinades, syrups and desserts.

Nutrition Facts for juice of one lime (2-inches in diameter):

2. Key limes are also known as the “bartender’s limes,” because their bright, tart flavor enhances a number of beverages, including mojitos, caipirinhas, margaritas, and gin and tonics.

3. Key lime juice finds its fullest expression in Key lime pie, a creamy custard pie that showcases the fruit’s distinctive flavor.

Health Benefits of Key Lime Fruit:

Research Key Lime Health Benefits with our natural health encyclopedia and product reviews.

Information on Key Lime Health Benefits include treatment, health benefits & side effects.

Key Lime Health Benefits products are reviewed below for non FDA-reviewed or approved uses such as

>> Detoxifying Liver.

>> Leansing Blood and Cleansing Bowels.