The two popular varieties of limes grown in Mexico are the Mexican or Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and the Persian lime (Citrus latifolia, simply called “lime” in the US); the former is of Indo–Malayan origin introduced in Mexico by the Spaniards after the 1520s, while the latter, also called the Tahiti lime, was
Did limes originate in Mexico?
Mexican Lime
The Lime is not native to Mexico. Europeans took Lemons and Limes to North and South America. Researchers have found that the Mexican Lime, Citrus aurantifolia, is a direct hybrid between Citrus medica and Citrus micrantha. Citrus aurantifolia is the most popular Lime species in Mexico.
Are limes in Mexico?
Introduction. Lime is an important crop for Mexican growers, as it is the second most produced citrus in the country. Mexicans have been growing and consuming limes for centuries, and the fruit has become an essential part of the country’s cuisine.
Where is limes originally from?
Lime is believed to have originated in northern India and adjoining parts of Myanmar, or in northern Malaysia. The lime is now cultivated throughout the tropics and in warm subtropical areas. The sour limes were probably one of the first citrus fruits to be carried from the east by the crusaders.
Are limes lemons in Mexico?
However, for the most part in Mexico, a lime is referred to as a “limón” and lemon is called a “lima”. Unfortunately, there is no distinction between a larger lime and what in English we would call a “key lime”. They are all referred to as limón.
Who brought limes to Mexico?
Limes were introduced to the western Mediterranean countries by returning Crusaders in the 12th and 13th centuries. Christopher Columbus took citrus seeds, probably including limes, to the West Indies on his second voyage in 1493, and the trees soon became widely distributed in the West Indies, Mexico, and Florida.
Why do Mexicans eat lime?
There are two million seedling lime trees in Colima alone, and Mexico raises limes for fresh fruit sale as well as for the exportation of juice and lime oil. Whether in beverages, soups, salads, main courses or desserts, lime adds a bright flavor and a Mexican touch to countless dishes.
When did limes get to Mexico?
The tree species of Indo-Malayan origin was introduced to Mexico by Spanish Conquistadors after 1520.
Why do Latinos call limes lemons?
This is because limes aren’t very common in Chile. What is this? In Bolivia, Ecuador, or Venezuela, the words for lemon and lime are switched around. Limone, a Spanish word that commonly refers to lemons, is actually used to describe limes.
What citrus is native to Mexico?
Mexico grows three main types of lemons and limes: Mexican limes, Persian limes, and lemons. Small, green-yellowish in color and with a thin peel, the Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is the most popular variety consumed in Mexico.
Are limes native to the Americas?
oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons and (Fortunella spp.), kumquats, all originated in Asia. There are no edible native North American citrus fruits.
Are Key limes in Mexico?
Since the North American Free Trade Agreement came into effect, most Key limes on the United States market have been grown in Mexico, Central America and South America. They are also grown in Texas, Florida, and California.
Are Mexican limes and key limes the same?
What Are Key Limes? Key limes—also known as Mexican limes or West Indies limes—are small, spherical limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. They’re light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Their skin is also very thin, which means they don’t store well.
Is there a Spanish word for lime?
How do you say lime in Spanish? In Spain, lime is lima. In Latin America, on the whole, the word for lime is limón.
Is lime and lemon the same in Spanish?
In Spanish, the word for lemon is the same as the word for lime: “limón.” One way to distinguish between the two citrus fruits would be to call limes “limones verdes” and lemons “limones amarillos.” However this can cause a very coincidental misunderstanding.
Where do the best limes come from?
Mexico and Brazil account for more than nearly 40 percent of the world’s Persian (Citrus latifolia) and West Indian (Citrus aurantifolia) lime production. These are the most widely commercialized varieties.
Other Lime-Growing Countries
- Colombia.
- Dominican Republic.
- Honduras.
- Peru.
- Israel.
- Vietnam.
- Guatemala.
Why do Mexicans put limes in their beer?
There are different theories as to why the lime is put there in the first place: It cleans the tip of the bottle, or it kills germs, or it shoos flies, or it masks the taste of skunky beer. But whatever the reason, the first wedge of lime put into a bottle of Mexican beer stuck there, literally and permanently.
Why did Mexicans put limes in their beer?
The one you’ve probably heard before is that the use of a lime wedge in the rim started in Mexico to keep flies from entering the bottle.
Do Mexicans drink beer with lime?
Associated with beach time fun and backyard barbecues, the Mexican lager is often accompanied by its trusty sidekick, a fresh green lime wedge hanging off the top of the bottle. There are several versions of the origin story for this classic pairing, and it’s anybody’s guess which one is actually true.
Is lime used in Mexican cooking?
The humble lime is a Mexican cook’s most flavorful tool. It’s a must-have ingredient for finishing a dish—squeeze it on tacos, into salsa, and on just about anything that benefits from a bright, tart pop of flavor.
Who first put lime in beer?
As the story goes, in 1981, a bartender in California made a bet with a friend that he could kick start a new trend by shoving a lime into a bottle of beer.