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Citrus crops appeared on the planet more than 8 million years ago. The oldest citrus fruit was the citron. On the basis of this species, other famous fruits appeared: lemon and lime. Lime differs from lemon in physical characteristics, their chemical compositions are in many ways similar. Lemon leads in the content of vitamin C, and lime has more calories. In addition, lemon, unlike lime, is more popular and more often used in cooking and traditional medicine.
What is “lime” and “lemon”
Citrus fruits are plants of the Rutaceae family. Lemon and lime are well-known representatives of this family. For many, these names refer to the same citrus. In fact, their differences are significant.
Lime first appeared on the Malay Peninsula in the Mediterranean, its name comes from the Persian word “limu”. Fruit cultivation began in the XNUMXth century. in the Lesser Antilles. The modern market receives fruits from Mexico, Egypt, India. Trees need a tropical climate to thrive. They grow in moist soils of the tropics, resistant to high humidity.
Lemon is a citrus fruit of the Rutaceae family. It arose as a hybrid, then for a long time it developed separately from related citrus crops. The islands of the Pacific Ocean are considered its homeland. For cultivation, countries with a subtropical climate are suitable. The first historical mention dates back to the 80th century, as evidenced by the records of the Arabs who brought citrus fruits to the Middle East from Pakistan. Lemon is common in the Mediterranean countries, on the Black Sea coast, in the Caucasus. It is a fruit that contains more than XNUMX% vitamin C. The culinary use of citrus is more extensive, in this it differs from lime. It is used for all kinds of dishes, added to drinks, it serves as a basic ingredient in a number of recipes for baking or snacks.
What do limes and lemons have in common?
Both citruses are similar in chemical composition. The set of vitamins and microelements differs slightly. This can be explained by belonging to the same species. Citrus fruits combine varieties with similar qualities.
Features | Lemon | Lime |
Caloric value | About 30 kcal | About 30 kcal |
Vitamin C | More than 80% | 48% |
Fibre | 3 – 5 g | 3 g |
B vitamins | 6% | 5 – 6% |
Folate | 4% | 3% |
Micro- and macro elements | 7% | 6% |
Carbohydrates and Proteins | 2 g | 1 – 2 g |
Differences in chemical composition are almost imperceptible. Lemon is known for its high content of ascorbic acid, in comparison with it, lime contains only half of ascorbic acid. In addition, it contains folic acid.
What is the difference between lemon and lime
The main differences relate to taste and external characteristics. When choosing citrus, they are guided by the appearance of the fruit.
What do lemon and lime look like?
These citruses cannot be confused. Some differ in size, others can be judged by color. Unlike lime, lemon looks more dense. It has a thick peel, a white layer that is located between the peel and the pulp, it contains a large amount of useful substances.
- Lime is a small tree with greenish fruits. The shape of the fruit can be semi-oval, elongated on one side. Lime peel color varies from light green to green-yellow. The flesh of the fruit is green and juicy. The diameter of the fruit can reach 5 cm. The average weight of the fruit is 150 g. Limes ripen all year round, the main harvest occurs after the rainy season.
- Lemons are harvested from tall evergreen trees. They ripen in autumn. Fruits can grow up to 10 cm in length, the width of the fruit is 5 – 8 cm. The shape of the fruit is semi-oval or large, depending on the variety. Skin color – yellow, light yellow, yellow-green. The pulp is juicy, seeds are inside.
The difference between lime and lemon taste
Taste is one of the main indicators of difference.
Lime has a pronounced sour taste. Hybrid varieties can be bitter, this property is used to make alcoholic beverages. However, the fruit is not suitable for making desserts because it does not contain sucrose.
Some varieties of lemons have an exceptionally sour taste, but there are hybrids with a pronounced sweetness. They have a high content of pectins and sugar.
Cooking uses of lemon and lime
Differences of citruses are expressed in the ways of culinary application. The main culinary similarity: both citruses are suitable for making lemonades of the same name.
Lemon uses:
- they are consumed fresh, pulp is added to fruit salads, used as a snack in whole slices;
- juice is an integral part of well-known salad dressings and sauces;
- meat, poultry are marinated with juice;
- zest, juice and pulp are suitable for baking, they are added to the dough or prepared from them for filling for shortbread pies;
- juice is one of the components of drinks.
Lime is the basis for the preparation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. In Asia and Latin America, lime is used in hot dishes as an independent ingredient. The famous cold appetizer guacamole is prepared exclusively with lime. For Thai sweet and sour soups, only juice is suitable. The most famous first course is Tom Yum soup.
Lime juice is used to extract citric acid from it. Lime oil is used to improve the taste of various drinks.
Differences in terms of storage
Lemon differs from lime in the period during which citrus retains its beneficial qualities:
- Lime is stored for about 2 weeks at a temperature of 0 to +4 °C;
- Lemons can be stored for a month in the refrigerator and for 3-4 months in the freezer.
Citruses that are cut differ in shelf life:
- The cut lime must be eaten within 2 to 3 days;
- Lemons placed cut side down in a container and refrigerated can be stored for up to 5 days.
Differences in Growing Conditions
Lime trees, unlike lemon trees, are able to bear fruit all year round. They need a humid tropical climate to thrive. The main period of development falls on the rainy season. The soil that limes thrive in should be light and contain loam. Lime is frost-resistant and can endure unexpected frosts down to -1°C without loss.
Lemon trees are photophilous. They need 12 to 15 hours of daily sunlight to produce fruit. They do not tolerate drought or excessive moisture. The fruits ripen in early autumn after a long, abundant flowering. Harvesting is carried out 1 time per season.
Which is Healthier: Lime or Lemon?
Lemons and limes are different from each other, the benefits of each type can be judged by the impact they have. To understand which of the citrus fruits is preferable, it is necessary to analyze their effect on the human body.
One lemon contains more than 30% of the daily requirement of vitamin C. Due to this, citrus is used for medicinal purposes. A glass of warm water with a slice of lemon added to it is recommended to drink in the morning on an empty stomach. The drink helps to awaken the body, activates the activity of the circulatory system, and normalizes the acid-base balance.
Lemons
- indicated for beriberi, the development of anemia of various origins;
- have an anti-cold effect, essential oils and ascorbic acid relieve inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, prevent the spread of viruses;
- able to influence the state of blood vessels, normalize blood flow and prevent blood stasis;
- lemon juice activates the pancreas and improves digestive processes;
- contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes.
The peculiarity of lemons lies in the fact that they contribute to the easier absorption of useful elements, such as calcium and iron.
Limes differ from lemons in that they contain folic acid, or vitamin M. It is necessary to strengthen blood vessels and form important fetal systems during pregnancy. Lime juice is added to a glass of water and drunk throughout the day.
Lyme
- have an immunomodulatory property, correct the activity of the body’s defense mechanisms;
- have a calming effect, therefore, have a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system;
- due to the increased amount of lemon juice can be used in the treatment of colds.
In addition to the listed properties, both citrus fruits are used as a component in the preparation of traditional medicine recipes or home cosmetology. The use of lemon is the most common. Due to the high content of ascorbic acid, lemons are most in demand in the treatment of colds, and are also used to whiten the skin, remove age spots. Lemon juice and pulp are in demand in the preparation of masks for the face, hair and body.
In addition, lemon can not always be replaced in cooking in cooking. The characteristic bitterness of a lime is not well suited for use in baking and adding to desserts.
One of the benefits of lemon is to use it frozen. When frozen, citrus retains its beneficial properties. In addition, the juice structured after freezing is more quickly absorbed by the body. The frozen fruit is used to treat various diseases.
Conclusion
Lime differs from lemon in a list of properties and characteristics. Sometimes citruses can be used interchangeably. The beneficial properties of lemon, as well as its taste, make it more in demand.
