Limes

The lime is a small citrus fruit, generally with less tartness than the lemon, but with a characteristic herbaceous flavor and mild bitterness.

Limes' skin and flesh are green in color and have an oval or round shape with a diameter between one to two inches. Limes can either be sour or sweet, though sweet limes are not readily available in the United States. Sour limes possess a greater sugar and citric acid content than lemons and feature an acidic and tart taste, while sweet limes lack citric acid content and are sweet in flavor.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lime_(fruit)

Various species and subspecies of citrus are called limes, including the kaffir lime of Asia, and Citrus aurantifolia, the yellow-fleshed key lime of the southern U.S. (which is also commonly used in Mexico and the Caribbean). Citrus latifolia is the ordinary green Persian lime that is encountered most often in the U.S., even in cuisines where other, different-tasting limes would normally be used. Besides being traditionally associated with Persia, its origins are unknown.

The juice and pulp of limes are used as a primary seasoning ingredient in Latin American and to a lesser extent Southeast Asian cuisine, often as a marinade (as in ceviche) or in relishes such as pico de gallo. It is an essential garnish to Vietnamese dishes such as Pho. The use of dried limes (black lime or loomi) as a flavouring is found in Persian and Iraqi cuisine, as well as in Gulf-style baharat (a spice mixture that is also called kabsa or kebsa).

Lime is an essential ingredient of cuisine from India. There are numerous varieties of pickles made from/with limes e.g. Sweetened lime pickle and Lemon Chutney. Lime juice drink is the essential freshner and is the most popular in Summers. Limes are also an essential element in Tamil cuisine.

Lime leaves are also a herb in South, East, and particularly Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, people have boiled chicken with lime leaves and a mixture of salt, black pepper and lime juice.

In North American cuisine, lime juice and zest are most commonly used in drinks. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lime_(fruit)

During the 19th century, British sailors were issued a daily allowance of citrus such as lemon, and later switched to lime In order to prevent scurvy. Limes were not as effective at preventing scurvy but led over time to the nickname "limey" for all Britons. Later it was discovered that this beneficial effect derived from the 4-fold higher quantities of Vitamin C lemon juice contains compared to the limes.

In India, the lime is used in Tantra for removing evil spirits. It is also combined with Indian chilis to make a protective charm to repel the evil eye. Additionally it was believed that hanging limes over the sick cured them of the illness by repelling evil spirits lurking inside the body.

Lime extracts and essential oils are frequently used in perfumes, cleaning products, and aromatherapy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lime_(fruit)

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