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Lime

The lime is native to southeastern Asia and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is believed that the Arabs brought limes with them from India during the period of Mohammedan expansion in A.D. 570-900. However, the lime was not mentioned by historians until the time of the Crusades. In 1626, Sir Thomas Herbert spoke of finding oranges, lemons, and limes on the island of Mohelia, off Mozambique. From the earliest days of British sailing vessels, British sailors were given a regular ration of lime juice to prevent scurvy at sea, resulting in the nickname "limey" for British sailors. Lime trees grew on the island of Haiti as early as 1514, and the cultivated lime spread from the West Indies to Florida. Later, it was even found growing spontaneously in thickets or as scattered plants. The so-called "wild lime groves" found on the lower East Coast, on the Florida Keys, were really planted by Henry Perrine in 1838. Congress had granted him land for the growth of economical tropical plants.

Limes have been grown in California and Florida since the early days of the citrus industry. After the great freeze in Florida in 1894-95, when the lemon industry was almost totally destroyed, California began growing virtually all the lemons in the United States. At this time Florida's lime industry expanded, and now Florida grows most of the limes used in this country. California is second in production, and Mexico is a close third.

Limes grow all year. Florida produces them from April to April, and California from October throughout the year. The main season for imports is May through August.

The principal variety of lime grown in this country is the large­fruited acid lime, which has few or no seeds. This variety, called the Florida Persian, has a smooth, tight rind, and is a light orange­yellow color when ripe. Its pulp is fine-grained, tender, and a light greenish-yellow. It is very acid and highly flavored. California's Bearss lime is of this same type. The Mexican lime is lemon-yellow when ripe, with a smooth, tight rind; has greenish-yellow, fine­grained, tender pulp, with abundant, strong-flavored juice; and is very acid. There is a sweet-type lime, but it is not grown in this country.

Limes that are green in color and heavy for their size are the most desirable commercially, because of their extreme acidity. The full, ripe, yellow lime does not have a high acid content. If the lime is kept until fully ripe it may be used in the very same way the lemon is used, and to fortify other foods with vitamin C. Like lemons, limes are very high in vitamin C, are a good source of vitamin B1, and are rich in potassium. They spoil easily, and limes with a dry, leathery skin or soft, moldy areas should be avoided. Store limes in a cool, dry place.

Limes contain 5 to 6 percent citric acid, and are too acid to drink without sweetening. Their natural flavor is enhanced when combined with other juices. Limes make a delicious dressing for fish, and, when added to melons, bring out the natural flavor of the melon. A few drops of lime juice added to consomme, or jellied soups, give a particular zest to the flavor. Subacid fruits, such as apples, pears, plums, peaches, grapes, and apricots, go best with limes.

Benefits of Lime

Limes are good for the relief of arthritis because they have such a high vitamin C content. They are especially good for anyone with acidemia, because they are one of the most alkalinizing foods. A drink of lime juice and whey is a wonderful cooler for the brain and nervous system. Limes can be used to treat brain fever, or someone who is mentally ill. They are good for a brain with a great deal of hot blood in it, which usually shows itself in anger, hatred, or other brain disturbances. Limes make a wonderful sedative for those suffering from these afflictions.

Nutrients in one pound (without rinds or seeds)

Calories
107
Iron
2.3 mg
Protein
2.8 g
50 I.U.
Fat
0.8 g
0.10 mg
Carbohydrates
42.4 g
0.08 mg
Calcium
126 mg
0.7 mg
Phosphorus
69 mg
Ascorbic acid
94 mg

 


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