Persian lime
| Persian lime | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Citrus |
| Species: | C. × latifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Citrus × latifolia Tanaka |
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Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia), "leemoo" (lime) in Persian, also known as Tahiti lime or Bearss lime (named after John T. Bearss, who developed this seedless variety about 1895 in his nursery at Porterville, California), is a citrus fruit related to the standard lime. It has a uniquely fragrant, spicy aroma. The fruit is about 6 cm in diameter, often with slightly nippled ends, and is usually sold while green, although it yellows as it reaches full ripeness. It is also widely available dried, as it is often used this way in Persian cooking. It is larger, thicker-skinned, with less intense citrus aromatics than the key lime (Citrus aurantifolia). The advantages of the Persian lime in commercial agriculture compared to the Key lime are the larger size, absence of seeds, hardiness, absence of thorns on the bushes, and longer fruit shelf life. They are less acidic than key limes and don't have the bitterness that lends to the key lime's unique flavor. Persian limes are commercialized primarily in six sizes, known as 110's, 150's, 175's, 200's, 230's and 250's. Once grown primarily in Florida in the U.S, it rose to prominence after Key lime orchards were wiped out there by a hurricane in 1926, according to the American Pomological Society;[citation needed] subsequently Persian lime orchards themselves were devastated by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Large numbers of Persian limes are grown, processed, and exported every year primarily from Mexico[1] to the American, European and Asian markets. U.S. Persian lime imports from Mexico are handled mostly through McAllen, Texas.[2]
Persian limes were first grown commercially in what is today southern Iraq, hence their name.[3]
Tree characteristics [edit]
Seed type: Angiosperm
Leaf shape: Ovate shaped with whole margins
Leaf position: Alternate
Type of fruit: Hesperidium
Notes [edit]
- ^ Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook /FTS-333/ July 30, 2008, page 16, by Agnes Perez and Susan Pollack, Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/FTS/2008/07JUL/FTS333.pdf
- ^ Mexican lemons, limes attract U.S. importers, 6/9/2008, by Don Schrack at http://www.bovinevetonline.com/newsCN.asp?contentid=326811 accessed October 26, 2009
- ^ Raichlen, Steven (August 2, 1992). "Small citruses yield tart juice, aromatic oils, big, fresh taste". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Citrus latifolia |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Citrus latifolia |
- Tahiti lime botany, agriculture, and history
- history and use of limes dead link
- history and varieties of limes
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