Lime is a citrus fruit that is commonly used in cooking, baking or as flavoring in drinks. The lime tree is though to be native to Asia and has been used for centuries. Today Limes are grown all over the world and thrive in warm climates such as Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Limes are typically green with a round shape and has a very sour taste. There are discussions whether lime is a fruit or a vegetable and today I’m going to give you a complete answer to this question.
Lime is considered a fruit because it contains seeds and grows from flowers on the branches of lime trees. The flowers are fertilized by the male lime citrus pollen, enabling the seeds to grow and eventually become lime fruits.
Let’s take a deep dive into the topic of limes to learn more about these green sour citrus fruits.
What Is The Difference Between Fruits And Vegetables?
There are many differences between fruits and vegetables. Fruit contains seeds, while vegetables do not. Fruits grow on trees and most vegetables grow as plants. Some things that fruits and vegetables can have in common is the fact that they both need to be pollinated to be able to grow. However there are several species of vegetables that don’t require pollination.
In general fruits are sweeter and contain natural sugars, while vegetables contains more fiber, making them taste less sweet. Vegetables do have edible leaves, stems, roots, blooms and even sometimes a fruit.
Lime is unique compared to many other fruits because limes mostly taste sour and not that sweet. Therefore it’s often used as a vegetable, to bring flavor to food and salads. Fruits in general are often used in deserts after a meal, while vegetables are eaten in conjunction to a meal.
What Types Of Lime Are There?
There are many different types of lime and I made a list of some of the most common ones.
- Key Lime
- Kaffir Lime
- Blood Lime
- Mandarin Lime
- Desert Lime
- Finger Lime
- Kusaie Lime
- Mary Ellen Sweet Lime
- Wild Lime
- Limequat
- Castelo Lime
- Rangpur Lime
- Tahiti Lime
- Millsweet Limetta
- Spanish Lime
- Ginger Lime
- Limetta
- Merdeka Lime
- Omani Dried Lime
- Winged Lime
- Calamansi Lime
These varieties of limes can be found all over the world, but the most common one that you often see in stores is Key Lime, which is made in Mexico. Key Lime is very popular to use in cooking because it can produce more juice than other limes and it has the perfect balance between sweet and sour taste.
Lime Nutritional Value
Lime is a small fruit, but don’t let that fool you. They are packed with nutrients and contains a high amount of vitamin C. Below is the nutritional value of a medium lime.
- Calories: 20
- Carbhydrates: 7 grams
- Protein: 0.5 grams
- Fiber: 1.9 grams
It also contains several vitamins and minerals as listed below.
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin B6
- Thiamin
- Potassium
This make limes a perfect addition to your diet, not only because it’s healthy, but to add more taste.
Lime Health Benefits
Vitamin C
The source of vitamin C in lime can really help boost the immune system and help you protect your body against infections. It can also help to reduce inflammation and sometimes reduced the duration of colds.
It can also play an important part of high blood pressure, as it can help the manage and lower it. There are also studies that shows that vitamin C can help reduce heart disease and prevent iron deficiency.
Iron
Iron is a very important part of the body and iron deficiency often reveals itself as fatigue and your body feels weak. Iron plays an important part of regulation body temperature, muscle function and brain function.
It also helps transfer oxygen between cells, as well as boosting your immunity system.
Calcium
Calcium is a very important part of tooth and bone health. It also helps your body with blood circulation and muscle movement. One important note is that in order for the body to absorb the calcium it needs vitamin D, otherwise the body wouldn’t fully benefit vitamin C.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a essential nutrient that helps the body to function properly. It is involved in many processes in the body, including metabolism, energy production, and nervous system function.
Vitamin B6 has been shown to have a wide range of health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also help to improve cognitive function and reduce the symptoms of depression.
Thiamin
Thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is necessary for the body to convert carbohydrates into energy and plays an important role in nervous system function.
Potassium
Potassium is a essential mineral for our health. It helps regulates fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals.
Conclusion
I hope that this article now clears up the question whether limes are fruits or vegetables. We now know that lime is a fruit that belongs to the citrus family. They grow on trees and need a warm climate to thrive, making them impossible to grow in colder countries.
Even tho it’s a fruit, it’s often used more similar to vegetables to add amazing taste and important nutrients to your diet. There are many different types of limes, but the most commonly used is the Key Lime, which can be identified by it’s green color and circle shape.
Lime is very popular to add flavor in salads and drinks.
