Limes – Anjamar Fruit

// Origin and history:

Limes were discovered in Asia, excatly in Persia and Malaysia, where it was called “limu”. At the beginning people used lime as a natural healer and then they realized that it could be used for consumption. Muslims introduced it in the Iberian Peninsula during 11th and 13th centuries.

During the 19th century, Britains brought it to their colonies because they believed that it could fight some deceases such as scurvy.

Nowdays, lime crops are spread across Asia, India, the Caribbean Sea, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa. Thee main exporters are Mexico, India, USA and Brazil.

// Tree:

Lime tree measures from 3 to 5 metres high, it´s flowers measure about 2.5 centimetres and they are yellowish white-coloured with purple borders. It has a rough trunk with thin branches and some thorns. It does not need too much sun, a medium quantuty of water and it is not cool resistant.

// Calories:

This fruit contains 20 calories per 100 grams, with an average nutritional value.

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Appearence:

Usually, this fruits are rounded and measure from 3 to 6 centimetres of diameter and 5 centimetres high. Some of them are oval-shaped with two projections. They are green-coloured, with a rough or smooth skin.

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Season:

This fruit can be consumed all the year around because it is imported from other countries.

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Care:

We should not expose them to the sun because they get dry quicky. It is recommended to preserve them at room tempetarure but in the fridge they would preserve longer.

// Types:

All the files are practically the same, what really differs from each one is their appearance and the level of acidity that they possess.

Kafir: it comes from de southeast of Asia. It measures 4 centimetres of diametre, it has a rough skin and it is too sour.

Gallega: it measures 5 centimetres of diametre an it is sour. It has a little projection and a green smooth skin.

Persa: it is the second most spread fruit over the world an it measures 6 centimetres of diametre. When it ripens, it takes a yellowish colour and it is less sour than the others.

Dulce: it is similar to a lemon, it has pulp, thick skin, no seeds and two projections.

// Benefits:

Lime has a large amount of minerals and a high content of potasium (490 mg per fruit).
It helps people with respiratory problems because it conteins camphor, used in balms or vaporizers.
The acid that conteins help to heal wounds or gum irritations.
It helps to avoid dehydration, gas or diarrhea thanks to the high content of biotic agents.