Finding a sunny spot is the most important rule to keep in mind when planting your lime trees. When it comes to varieties of Persian limes, there is very little (if any) difference between Tahiti limes and Bearss limes. Kaffir limes are easily recognisable by their heavy wrinkled appearance. A type of lime popular in Asia is the Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) with its lime-green color and distinctive bumpy skin. Kaffir lime leaves are also a great addition to rice! So…. They do however contain seeds, so make sure you pass the juice through a sieve before serving. This plant was created for the family garden to maximize space and flavor. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. I do want to point out, though, that domestic bay leaves are poisonous if consumed, so I don’t think one would enjoy all the benefits you thoughtfully mentioned, at least without a nasty stomach ache or worse. With smaller and sweeter fruits than the standard lime, this interesting citrus tree can also be grown as an ornamental. Add some finely chopped onion, jalapeño chilli, tomato, salt and pepper and stir through. Citrus hystrix, called the kaffir lime, makrut lime (US: / ˈ m æ k r ə t /, UK: / m ə k ˈ r uː t /), Thai lime or Mauritius papeda, is a citrus fruit native to tropical Southeast Asia and southern China.. Its fruit and leaves are used in Southeast Asian cuisine and its essential oil is used in perfumery. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. You can use them in place of regular limes and they're especially prized in Thai cooking. Just like with other fruit trees, remove wood that is growing crossed or tangled as this can create a habitat that attracts pests. What Makes Persian, Makrut, and Key Limes All Unique? You’ll want at least a 6 to 8 inch long cutting from a healthy and vigorous branch. In addition the Key Lime has more seeds and its flavor is more intense and possesses a bitter component not present in its Persian cousin. This fruit has a very sour flavor and as a result is commonly used as a medicine. Kaffir limes also contain very little juice when compared to Mexican and Persian limes. Lydia Herrick - a couple of years ago . In fact, some people claim that Key limes are superior to lemons in terms of flavor, juiciness, and aroma. Related article: Amazing Lemon Varieties with Pictures From Around the World, Types of Sweet Potatoes: Japanese, Hannah, Jersey and More, Types of Cherries: Amazing Varieties of Sweet and Tart (Sour) Cherries (With Pictures and Names), Types of Fruits: List of Fruits with Their Picture and Name. The round citrus fruits are harvested from the lime tree while still green. The key lime can have severe damage in just 30 minutes of the cold air! Calamansi Limes (Philippine limes) are a small type of lime with orange-colored flesh. A rare type of lime tree, this type of lime can be used interchangeably with a key lime when making key lime pie due to its tart yet sweet flavor. While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? Many types of citrus trees suffer from cold damage, and limes are no exception. The tropical Kaffir Lime is the most cold sensitive lime of all. Compare the facts of Persian Lime vs Kaffir Lime and know which one to choose. Janelle Jones. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. The nutritional info is an extra bonus! The lemon-lime tree is actually two trees in one. Persian limes are characterized by their thin, smooth rind, seedless flesh, acidic flavor, and juiciness. In my opinion, No. This lime fruit variety has a more oblong shape than round. The kaffir lime tree is also known by its more politically correct name the ‘Makrut lime tree’ due to the racist origins of the word ‘kaffir’ by English colonists. It’s common for roots to develop after two months at which time you can harden it off and transplant outside. Martha Stewart may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on All can be made in 45 minutes or less. Lime trees now grow in many countries such as India, Mexico, China, and the U.S. The kaffir lime tree needs a lot of warmth and humidity, growing in zones 10-12, it can grow up to 25 feet tall. If you are confused whether Persian Lime or Kaffir Lime are same, here are some features about those plants to help you choose better. Persian limes are characterized by their thin, smooth rind, seedless flesh, acidic flavor, and juiciness. This lime cultivar has good flavor and plenty of juice. Compared to other types of limes such as Persian limes, Key limes are smaller and more yellow in color. When choosing limes to use in the kitchen, it’s important to know when limes are ripe. Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. West Indian limes are small and round with a strong and complex sour-acidic flavour. Key lime fruits grow to between 1” and 2” (2.5 – 5 cm) in diameter. Citrus trees, limes included, can be propagated by taking a cutting of the plant and placing it in a rooting medium of soil or sand with good drainage. To make a curry paste, start by grinding sliced lemongrass and galangal using a mortar and pestle. This article contains incorrect information, This article is missing information that I need. The most popular varieties of limes are Key limes, Mexican limes, Bearss limes, and Tahiti limes. Commonly found in the near east, the Kaffir Lime is extensively used in the cuisine of the region. Persian limes are the variety of limes that you're most likely to pick up in the grocery store. Plain and simple, the Persian Lime is easier to find. Make sure to give your lime tree regular prunings. Also Persian Lime is not flowering and Kaffir Lime is not flowering . They can be used as a mixer for drinks, in dressings and as a garnish due to their seedless flesh and because they’re very juicy but not intensely fragrant. All Rights Reserved. One of the most common uses of Rangpur limes is to make marmalade. Credit: Also, Mexican limes tend to be more yellow than green when fully ripe. The color of an orange both inside and out, the Citrus x. limonia osbeck originates from Bangladesh and can surprisingly be used interchangeably with fruits from other lime trees. Typically I always use the critical components required to make an authentic cocktail, but I don’t have unlimited time or money…, I’ve always had a general familiarity with limes, but I’m no “lime expert” so I had to do a little digging. Apart from its lime-green color, this seedless citrus fruit doesn’t look like a typical lime. A rare type of Indo-Malayan lime, this slightly larger variety of lime citrus is actually a bit bigger than the standard lime and is only mature once it turns a pale yellow. They're smaller than regular Eureka lemons but larger than Key limes. The taste doesn’t actually change between these stages, however they’re primarily harvested green so consumers don’t confuse them with lemons. Another type of Persian lime is the Tahiti lime. Originally from Indonesia, both the limes and the leaves of the plant are used. Finish with chopped avocado, tomato juice and garnish with coriander. Of course, the terms “lemon” and “lime” are also good descriptions of shades of yellow and green colors. As with most citrus trees, don’t fertilize until the plant has been established and several inches of growth appear on the tips of branches. Citrus hystrix. They're the star ingredient in, what else but Key Lime Pie, but their iconic fragrance and flavor are also prized by bartenders in addition to bakers. Whether using the whole fruit or only the juice, peel or zest, you’ll have endless opportunities to integrate limes into your meals this winter. It’s closely related to the Persian lime which is the Florida-grown variation of the Tahiti lime tree. While the fruit itself has very little juice, the zest and leaves are commonly used in Asian cooking due to their intense fragrance. Blood limes are another unusual type of lime fruit due to their red color and sweet tangy taste. Persian limes are the variety of limes that you're most likely to pick up in the grocery store. Most limes are not cold hardy and in zones below zone 9 need to be grown in a pot or container and brought indoors before a frost. Different varieties of finger limes have colors such as lime-green, red, light yellow, and light pink. Even though Rangpur limes look like a small orange, their acidic taste closely resembles that of a traditional lime. Make sure to keep an eye on evening temperatures as this is when cold temperatures drop the most. When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. While I may need to do more experimentation, I prefer Persian Limes, Hands down, Key Limes are much more difficult to juice. Finally, this fruit turns yellow when ripe. Planting should happen either in the late spring or early fall for the plant’s best shot at thriving.