Citrus
Aurantifolia
Limes probably came from the Indonesian Archipelago or the
neighbouring Indian sub-continent. They were popular with
Arabians who transported them to North
Africa around 1000AD, from where they spread to southern
Europe. The Spanish took the fruits to the new country where
they
grew in abundance.
Today, Mexico and Brazil produce over 1.3 million metric
tons of limes a year.
Limes contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and were formerly
used in the British Navy to prevent scurvy; hence the nickname
'Limey'.
The trees are small and are less than 15 feet high producing
small white flowers in clusters. From these come the fruit,
the zest of which is used for production of the oil. Lime
oil is now processed by distillation mainly in the West Indies. |
