Limes 2

The lime is also famous for the role it played in 18th century English sailors becoming known as "limeys." Scurvy was the plague of sailors until it was discovered that when they received a ration of one lime a day it stopped, and so they earned the nickname, "limeys." While they knew it worked, it wasn't known why until scientists discovered vitamin C in 1923 and figured out that it was the vitamin, not the fruit itself that gave the protection. Limes are rarely eaten raw due to their tartness but are used to flavor many sweet and savory dishes. They can be used in basically the same manner as lemons but are stronger in flavor so generally a smaller amount is required. They are used in sauces or as an accompaniment to fish and poultry. Lime juice and lime zest will enhance the flavor of fruits, vegetables, salads, and other dishes without adding fat or a lot of calories. It also allows less salt to be used. Limes are also used in baked goods and desserts to provide a light, fresh flavor. They are used in the famous Key Lime pie. They are also used as a garnish, in the form of a slice or wedge added to the plate or to the rim of a beverage glass. Lime juice is used in several popular alcoholic beverages, such as margaritas and daiquiris. Lime zest (the green part of the peel) is also used to add flavor when cooking and baking. Use a vegetable peeler or a grater to remove the zest for any of these purposes, and try to avoid getting too much of the bitter, white pith (the inner skin.) If you use a lot of julienne strips of citrus zest, there is a hand zester tool available at good cooking specialty stores. Because limes and other citrus products are usually sprayed with chemicals, it's important to wash and dry them well before using the peel.
Limes
A squeeze of lime has virtually no calories, and brings a delicious accent to foods and vegetables. Whether in soft drinks, cocktails (where would the caipirinha, gin and tonic, margarita, mojito, and tequila shot be without lime?) Key lime pie, made from the juice of the Key lime, is one of America’s favorite pies. The leaves of the kaffir lime are an important seasoning in Pacific Rim cuisine, as are dried limes in Persian cuisine. Limes are a popular ingredient in seafood and chicken dishes, desserts and marmalade. You can easily substitute limes for lemons in any dish. Besides adding flavor, limes are used for other purposes when preparing food. Their high content of vitamin C is the ascorbic acid needed to prevent the discoloring of the flesh of fruits and vegetables that oxidize quickly when exposed to the oxygen in the air. Lime juice makes a great meat tenderizer and marinade. Limes flourish best in the tropics. The top-five lime-producing countries are the United States, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and India. Most (more than 90%) of the Key limes increasingly found in American supermarkets are grown in Mexico and Central America; they are also grown in Texas and California, where they are known as Mexican or West Indian limes. The high content of vitamin C in limes provides health related benefits. Lemons and limes were used back in the 18th century on British Navy ships to prevent and treat scurvy among the sailors. Limes are used as an ingredient in suntan products, cosmetics, perfumes and other beauty products. Lime juice is also used as a cleaning agent.















































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