Limes are nutritionally-rich, tart and delicious, although they are often under-appreciated for the flavor and health benefits they provide. For a flavor punch and a good dose of Vitamin C and bacteria-fighting flavenols, add some lime juice to many of your favorite foods.
Limes, native to the Himalayan region, but now grown all around the world, are usually recognizable as the small, green-skinned citrus fruits smaller than lemons. Although limes are usually sold with green skins, their skins actually turn yellow if the limes are allowed to ripen on the tree.
One cup of lime juice contains 60 calories and 121% of your body's daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Although it is unlikely that one would drink a cup of lime juice straight, check out some of the recipes below that call for lime juice--you can boost your Vvitamin C intake, as well as the flavor of your food, by using lime juice in many recipes!
Limes also contain flavonol glycosides: research has shown that these flavonol glycosies can halt cell division in many cancer cells, and also have a strong antibiotic effect. In an area of West Africa plagued by cholera outbreaks, lime juice included in the day's main meal was shown to help protect people against getting cholera, a disease triggered by bacterial activity.
How can you select the best limes and how should you store them? The best limes have thin, smooth skin, are heavy for their size, and are firm (but not too hard). Limes may be stored at room temperature, and when stored this way, they yield more juice. Limes can also be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in a plastic bag.
Limes are popular in many cooking styles, for their tart juice and for their aromatic zest. Indian, Mexican, Southwestern United States, Thai, Persian and Iraqi cuisine are all augmented by the unique flavor of lime juice and zest, and sometimes even dried limes or lime leaves. So there are many unique and delicious ways to use limes once you have bought them.
Here are some ideas for incorporating limes and lime juice into your diet:
- Make a delicious, refreshing, vitamin C-rich drink by combining the juice of one lime, the juice of one orange, and sparkling water.
- Mix the mashed flesh of an avocado, the juice of one lime, a sprinkling of finely-chopped onion and tomato, and a dash of salt and pepper for a delicious, healthy guacamole sauce. Serve the guacamole with sliced fresh vegetables or corn tortilla chips.
- Squeeze lime juice over a slice of fresh salmon and bake in a hot oven until the fish is flaky. Flavor with salt and pepper.
- For an exotic fruit smoothie bursting with flavor and vitamins, combine the following in a blender: one kiwifruit, five strawberries, one-half banana, one-half mango, the juice of a lime, and the juice of one orange.
When preparing to juice a lime, make sure you wash the lime well, and roll it on the counter before cutting the fruit, in order to help the lime release its juices better. Enjoy the zesty flavor limes add to your food, as well as the health benefits they can help you reap.