Difference Between Limes & Key Limes
- Size of Lime Varieties. If you have ever seen a key lime (Mexican or West Indian) next to a regular lime (Persian or Tahitian), the difference is quite obvious as ...
- Flavor and Aroma. While key limes and Persian limes are similar in flavor, key limes pack a bigger punch of acidity in their small package.
- Tree Varieties. ...
- History of Limes in the U.S. ...
Do Key limes taste different?
Limes also have a bitter flavor, but not in the same way as do key limes. Furthermore, key limes have thinner skin than regular limes, but they also have more seeds inside. Key limes are characterized by a stronger citrus aroma, and they offer a unique taste.
Is lime alkaline like lemon?
Outside the body hybrid lemons and limes are highly acidic. Both lemons and lime have a pH around 2. However once lemons and limes are digested by the body they leave behind an alkaline ash that alkalizes the body. The issue is they have to be digested first so they can upset the stomachs of people who have indigestion or acid reflux.
Is barn lime the same as other lime?
barnlime (barn-lime) is only this: some amount of lime (calcium carbonate). There is no hard definition on barnlime, so given acid neutralizing capability there is no spec on it like on "lawn lime" bags with calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) and effective neutralizing value (ENV).
What does a key lime look like?
What does a Key lime look like? The Key lime is usually picked while it is still green, but it becomes yellow when ripe. The Key lime is smaller, seedier, has higher acidity, stronger aroma, and thinner rind than the Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia). The Key lime is valued for its unique flavor compared with other limes.
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Can you substitute regular lime for Key lime?
Despite their differences, they can easily substitute for each other, though if you're making a Key Lime pie, Key limes are truly worth seeking out. None-the-less, Key limes aren't common at most grocery stores in the United States, so if you have to substitute with regular limes, you can.
Which is better limes or Key limes?
As compared to your run-of-the-mill lime, a key lime is sure to provide an elevated sense of flavor. It's also going to award you a taste that is less tart and more floral than any of your standard limes. When it comes to using lime in your everyday life, it's safe to say that a key lime is well worth your time.
Is Key lime different than regular lime?
Key Limes vs. Key limes tend to be small and seedy, with a distinctive lime flavor that is tart, but not too acidic. They also have a very distinct aroma, far more aromatic than common limes. Grocery store limes, generally speaking, are Persian limes, the most widely commercially cultivated variety of lime.
Can you use limes for Key limes?
Despite the slight flavor difference, swapping out Persian limes for Key limes is a pretty common substitution. Taste of Home even notes that, when baked into a dessert, it can be hard to tell the difference between the two taste-wise.
How many Key limes equal a regular lime?
Juice In One LimeType Of LimeAmount Of LimeAmount Of JuiceKey Lime1 medium lime2-3 teaspoonsKey Lime6 limes¼ cupKey Lime8 limes⅓ cupKey Lime12 lime½ cup11 more rows•Apr 29, 2022
Why do they call it Key lime?
The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. It is also known as West Indian lime, bartender's lime, Omani lime, or Mexican lime, the last classified as a distinct race with a thicker skin and darker green colour.
What is Key lime good for?
Key Limes are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which can offer health benefits. Eating lemons or drinking juice can improve immunity, reduce risk factors for heart disease, prevent kidney stones, help iron absorption, and promote skin health. Avoid key limes if you are allergic to citrus.
Are Key limes sweeter than regular limes?
Key limes, which are known for being particularly aromatic, are typically sweeter in taste, making them a perfect ingredient for the refreshing pie they're most known for (or for these fun Key lime pie-inspired s'mores).
What are Key limes used for?
Key lime is most often used for its juice, which is sweet and tart and a signature ingredient in key lime-based desserts, marinades, and cocktails.
What can I use if I don't have Key lime juice?
You may substitute the key lime juice with a mixture of 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice.
Where do Key limes grow?
Distribution: Key limes are grown in warm subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Major producing countries are India, Mexico, Egypt, and various countries in the West Indies. Importance: The commercial Key lime industry is based in areas other than the United States.
Can you use regular lime juice instead of Key lime juice for Key lime pie?
If you can find good, fresh Key limes, by all means use them. But I've found that regular limes (also known as Tahiti or Persian limes) make just as good a pie. Whatever you do, avoid bottled Key lime juice; the processing changes the flavor significantly.
What are the benefits of Key lime?
Key Limes are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which can offer health benefits. Eating lemons or drinking juice can improve immunity, reduce risk factors for heart disease, prevent kidney stones, help iron absorption, and promote skin health. Avoid key limes if you are allergic to citrus.
Is there a difference between lime juice and Key lime juice?
Here are some key differentiators: ① Key limes, also known as Mexican or West Indian limes, are more aromatic, with tarter and more floral juice. ② They are slightly yellow in color and contain more seeds. ③ Though less common in the U.S., they're more prevalent throughout the rest of the world.
Are Key limes better than lemons?
The bottom line Nutritionally, they're almost identical and share many of the same potential health benefits. Both fruits are acidic and sour, but lemons tend to be sweeter, while limes have a more bitter flavor.
What are Key limes used for?
Key lime is most often used for its juice, which is sweet and tart and a signature ingredient in key lime-based desserts, marinades, and cocktails.
What is a key lime?
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.
How long are limes good for?
Each lime contains two to three tablespoons of juice (compared to Key lime’s two to three teaspoons). Their thick skin helps them keep longer than Key limes, and they’re good for about a month in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
What is coconut key lime thumbprint?
Coconut Key Lime Thumbprints. This is the cookie recipe I created for the Las Vegas World Food Championships in 2013. It's similar to a shortbread thumbprint cookie, but with lots more personality. —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida.
What herbs are used in lime chicken?
It's the ideal way to use fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley. —Kathy Lewis-Martinez, Spring Valley, California
Can you use key limes in place of regular limes?
Key lime juice is prized for being tart and super-aromatic. You can use them in place of regular limes in any recipe, but they’re an ideal choice for sweetened-up desserts like Key lime pie, cupcakes or thumbprint cookies.
Where do limes grow?
These limes might get their name from the Florida Keys, but they’re grown all of over Florida and in some areas of California. They only grow in the U.S. between June and September, though. In Mexico, they enjoy a year-round season, but their delicate nature means transporting them to the U.S. can be challenging.
Can you use regular limes for lime bites?
Key limes don’t provide much peel, so sometimes I cheat and use regular limes—for the peel only—in these bites. If you can wait, these are even better the next day. —Joni Larsen, Wellington, Utah
What is the difference between a key lime and a Persian lime?
Which brings up the subject of work: There’s no denying that Key limes require a lot more of it—especially when you consider yield (not a lot) versus the cost (sometimes up to two or three times more than a Persian lime).
Where do key limes come from?
While many residents in the Key region still grow the eponymous trees on their property, most of the Key limes you find in stores here are sourced from Mexico.
What is lime used for in cooking?
Often when lime is called for in a recipe, it’s as a secondary seasoning or garnish. Less common are recipes like this one, where the juice and zest of the citrus are featured prominently in several elements of the dish. Get our Grilled Chile Salmon with Lime Crema recipe.
Is Calamansi a lime?
You might also see calamansi ( Citrus mitis) in an ingredients list for a Filipino dish, and it sometimes goes by the name Philippine lime or golden lime—but it’s not actually a lime at all. (Besides which, these small, thin-skinned citrus fruits don’t travel well, so they can be hard to find, but if you do get your hands on some, expect a taste somewhat like a sour orange.)
Is lime pie the same as key lime pie?
Of course there’s more separating the two than meets the eye, but the differences are fairly minute and, indeed, the two can often be used interchangeably in recipes without risk of total disaster. Though, naturally, it stands to reason that Key Lime Pie is not Key Lime ...
What is the difference between a key lime and a regular lime?
Key limes are often rounded in shape and with a smoother skin on them. While Regular limes are a bit oblong in shape. While regular limes have a thick bright green skin , that of key lime is thinner .
How to tell the difference between key limes and limes?
If you put a key lime right beside a regular lime, the most prominent difference you’ll quickly notice is in the size. This difference is quite noticeable as key limes are smaller than their lime counterparts. Infact, key limes are almost half the size of limes, but typically not more than 3 quarters.
What flavor is key lime?
Key lime have a stronger, more aromatic flavor that gives recipes a unique aroma.
What can I substitute for key limes?
If you live in a place where key limes are herd to find, it only makes sense to substitute limes for key limes.
Why are key limes used in deodorants?
It’s strong aromatic flavor is an understandable reason it is used in making natural alkaline Deodorants which are a natural odorizer against body does and unpleasant smells.
How big is a key lime?
Key Limes are smaller than regular limes – and with seeds. If you take your thumb and connect it to your first finger to make a circle, that is about the size of a key lime – approximately about 20mm in circumference. A regular lime on the other hand is a little bigger, 30mm in circumference and without seeds.
How tall do key lime trees grow?
Just like the fruits they produce, key lime trees are stout and small, you can almost compare them to a high shrub. They often do not grow more than 6 to 13 feet, and would rather grow or branch out laterally than vertically.
How much does a lime weigh?
While the average lime weighs 3 ounces , a key lime generally weighs in at around 1 ounce. This is why more key limes are often required to produce the same level of juice as a regular lime.
Which citrus fruit has the highest citric acid content?
For those that tend to err on the side of caution with acidity, a lime isn't always one's first choice when it comes to fruit. In addition to lemons, limes have the highest citric acid content of all citrus fruits.
Is key lime acidic?
With a key lime, you can rest assured that it won't be on the acidic side. As compared to your standard lime, you'll notice a world of difference in the levels of acidity between the two. In fact, when comparing the two, regular limes have a lower PH and higher acidity than key limes.
Is a key lime worth it?
As compared to your run-of-the-mill lime, a key lime is sure to provide an elevated sense of flavor. It's also going to award you a taste that is less tart and more floral than any of your standard limes. When it comes to using lime in your everyday life, it's safe to say that a key lime is well worth your time.
Do key limes produce more juice?
As compared to other varieties of lime, a key lime will require more limes to produce the same amount of juice. That being said, rest assured that the juice you do extract will be powerful and stunningly aromatic.
Where are key limes from?
Since then, Key limes have mostly been sourced from Mexico and Peru, where they are still incredibly popular for dishes like ceviche.
What is the key lime pie?
The Key lime pie is the quintessential dessert of the Florida Keys. It's made of Key lime juice, egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk in a graham cracker crust and sometimes served with whipped cream or meringue on top. This pie was created out of necessity, since fresh milk and ice weren't available in the Keys until the Overseas Highway opened in 1930. The original recipe was rumored to have been created by fishermen who were unable to bake a traditional pie on the open sea. Try making your own at home with this easy recipe.
What is the Florida Keys dessert?
The Key lime pie is the quintessential dessert of the Florida Keys. It's made of Key lime juice, egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk in a graham cracker crust and sometimes served with whipped cream or meringue on top. This pie was created out of necessity, since fresh milk and ice weren't available in the Keys until the Overseas Highway opened in 1930. The original recipe was rumored to have been created by fishermen who were unable to bake a traditional pie on the open sea. Try making your own at home with this easy recipe.
What is the name of the limes that grow in Miami?
By the early 1900s, the village now known as Miami was steadily growing Key limes in nearby groves. Also known as West Indian or Mexican limes, these limes are smaller and rounder than the regular Persian limes, around the size of a golf ball, and turn shades of yellow when ripe. They also have small seeds and are known for their high levels ...
What is the most famous lime?
Diane Macdonald/Getty Images. There are a few types of limes that we love to use in recipes but the Key lime may just be the most famous. Named for their association with the Florida Keys, an island chain in the southernmost portion of the state, the fruit traces its history to the 1500s when the Spanish brought the tree from its native Malaysia.
Can you substitute Persian limes for Key Lime?
For most recipes, you can substitute Persian limes for Key limes, with little taste difference. But Cook's Illustrated warns you to stay away from the bottled Key lime juice; it tastes nothing like the real thing.
Do key limes have a higher pH than other limes?
They also have small seeds and are known for their high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants (like all limes). Key limes have a higher pH than conventional limes, which gives them a lower acidity and a slightly less tart taste, according to Cook's Illustrated. Advertisement. Other sources, like the Los Angeles Times say Key limes are actually more ...
Where do key limes come from?
However, unless you live in the Florida Keys and can get some locally grown Key limes from a small grower, these days it's much more likely that the Key limes you're buying from the grocery store — and even the Key limes that are juiced and bottled in Key West — are coming from Mexico. That's because the commercial Key lime crop in Florida was wiped out in a hurricane in 1926, and most growers replaced them with the hardier Persian lime, which are the typical limes you see in grocery stores in the U.S. (via Los Angeles Times ). Mexico has different growing conditions than the Florida Keys, and the Key limes grown there are decidedly different than the original. They're much more astringent and bitter, and also yield less juice.
Can you use regular limes instead of key limes?
The next time you get a craving for Key lime pie, consider using regular limes instead of Key limes. Sure, it's not exactly "authentic," but it will taste a lot better than something made with the harsh, astringent juice of a Mexican-grown Key lime.
Is a key lime the same as a regular lime?
The regular limes you buy at the supermarket, Citrus latifolia, are indeed a different variety than Key limes, Citrus aurantiifolia . If you've ever had Key lime pie in the Florida Keys, there's a small chance you've tasted real Key limes, which are different than regular limes. Florida-grown Key limes once flourished in the area's alkaline soil, getting as plump as lemons thanks to the abundant rain, with plentiful juice that could be described as tart and floral without being bitter (via Serious Eats ).
