Lime is a hybrid citrus fruit, which means that it is made of the fusion of two different citrus fruits.
Lime comes from the Citrus aurantifolia and the Citrus latifolia trees, so technically speaking, it does have seeds.
However, because there are so many different varieties of limes (as well as hybrids) and because the seeds of a lime can be so small and hard to spot, many people think that limes don’t have seeds.
Does lime have seeds?
All varieties of limes will have seeds, as will hybrids such as the key lime or Mexican Lime. However, some low-acid and sweet lime varieties might not possess seeds.
This article discusses everything you need to know on whether limes have seeds on not. Read on to the end to learn more.
The Persian Limes (Most popular limes)
The Persian Lime, also known as Tahiti or Bearss Lime, is a large green citrus fruit about 2-3 inches in diameter with acidic flesh and thick skin.
These limes are commonly grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
They have a pear-shaped body with pointed ends at both ends, distinguishing them from key limes, which have an oval shape.
It is believed that Persian Lime was first cultivated in the Persian Gulf, and it has been a significant cultivar primarily in Persian cuisine but also used elsewhere.
Lime blossoms are also edible and can be found all over the tree light yellow color. The fruit will start green and eventually turn yellow, and inside the fruit, the flesh is pale green or white.
The limes can be peeled either by hand or using a knife; for Persian limes, peeling should be done only when you are ready to use them, as excessive exposure to sunlight will cause them to lose their flavor faster. Like most other fruits, a Persian lime will contain several seeds since it is hybrid citrus.
The Distinction of Persian Limes
So, where do the Persian limes come from?
A little scientific knowledge will go a long way in helping you answer that question. A quick look at almost any seedless fruit or vegetable will show you that their seeds and stems can be easily removed without damaging the product they come from.
Thus, this fact alone strongly suggests the existence of genetic engineering – which means we cannot say for sure whether organic limes have seeds or not.
That being said, peeling a Persian lime is relatively simple and hassle-free. Because they don’t have any “strings,” it’s easy to slip the peel off in one piece, which means that you can remove them from the fruit with ease.
In addition, since limes are hybrids of both lemons and oranges, their juice can be used in several different recipes without worrying about the seeds.
Which Popular Types of Limes Have Seeds?
In short, it depends. Most of the seeds are almost always very small, and you will have to examine the limes closely to notice them.
Most commercially available limes come from a single cultivar known as Persian Lime or Tahiti lime, a fruit that is a bit on the sour side but perfect for adding zest to most dishes.
1. Kaffir Limes
The Kaffir lime fruit has a somewhat unusual appearance, as it is shaped like a football and the rind looks almost hairy.
This fruit can be peeled either by hand or using a knife – for best results, use a knife to score the skin before peeling it with your hands. Yes, they have seeds, and they are very tiny.
2. Philippine Limes
This type of Lime has a very distinct look, which you will easily spot after a glance at the skin.
The Philippine limes have wrinkled and bumpy green bodies with dark patches; when the fruit matures, it turns yellow. It also has seeds and is used in making dishes such as sinigang.
3. Finger Limes
Finger limes, which got their name for their cylindrical shape reminiscent of human fingers, are used as food and as an ornamental plant.
For cooking purposes, the fruits can be used in salads or to enhance the flavor of fish. They are seedless and come in different colors.
4. Blood Limes
Blood limes were developed to hybrid the Indian and Australian lime varieties. The flowers are pinkish-red in color, and they grow as small, round fruits that contain lots of seeds.
The taste, not the look, suggests it could be used as an ingredient for blood soup!
5. Rangpur Limes
A Rangpur is a type of Lime that gets its name from the city in Bangladesh where it is grown. It has green skin and is very sour, making it ideal for adding just the right amount of zest to dishes that call for lime juice or garnishes.
They tend to be very small, so you might want to add more than one to get the necessary amount. They are mainly used to make marmalade, and they also have seeds.
Can You Eat Lime Seeds?
Yes, you can eat lime seeds. The majority of limes produced today belong to the Tahiti variety, with very few seeds.
Most varieties contain lots of them, though, and they are what give limes their distinctive flavor.
However, lime seeds can be harmful to digestive issues because they could cause bloating and stomach cramps. Lime seeds may also cause bad breath, so if you plan on kissing anyone soon, it’s best to avoid eating them.
What is the main difference between limes and lemons?
Limes and lemons are from the same family of citrus fruits, but they have very different characteristics.
Lemons tend to be more acidic when compared to limes, which is why they work better in recipes that call for slightly more tartness or a zestier flavor.
Limes also tend to be juicier than lemons, so you will typically need to use more than what the recipe calls for to get the same amount of juice.
Also, limes tend to come from warmer climates, and they are usually used in cooking and drinks that originate from these locations, such as Mexico and Southeast Asia.
Lemon trees grow best when colder, and since their fruit is usually sourer, they are perfect for dishes such as lemonade.
Limes and lemons both have seeds, but lime seeds are generally not used when cooking. To get the flavor of limes without using their seed, you can substitute it with the juice of half a lemon in most recipes. The taste will be slightly different, but it is close enough to the original.
Limes are also sour lemons, which is why they are perfect for adding flavor to dishes that need a tart taste without becoming too acidic.
Cut one in half and squeeze it into soups, curries, or sauces right at the end of cooking time. You can also add it to beverages such as iced tea or cocktails.
FAQs:
How do you remove seeds from limes?
Cut each lime into quarters. Cut out the white membrane that surrounds each section, then cut the sections into halves or thirds if necessary to remove any seeds.
If you are using them for juice, do not worry about removing the seeds since they will be strained away later on. Limit your use of limes to about one per cup of fruit juice since the sour flavor can easily overwhelm other flavors.
How do you pit limes?
If you need lime zest or want to juice a fruit that has seeds, then the best way to remove them is by using a tool called a citrus fruit pitter. It works like a garlic press; cut off one end of the Lime and place it in the center of the pitter.
Squeeze down while holding the other end, and the seeds will come out through a small hole while the rest of your Lime remains intact.
If you plan on juicing limes for things such as marinades or dressings which won’t be strained later on, then roll each Lime on a sturdy countertop and use a sharp knife to cut out each section.
You can then either leave the pieces whole or cut them in half, depending on how big they are.
What is lime zest?
Lime zest is the outermost skin of your fruit that contains the most flavor. To get it, you can use a tool called a zester, which is similar to a cheese grater.
Cut off one end of your Lime and run the zester down the length of it to get long, thin pieces of zest that are perfect for adding flavor to all sorts of dishes.
What do limes taste like?
Limes, like lemons, have a very tart flavor. They are particularly sour and can easily overpower other flavors if you use too much of them. T
he best way to balance Lime’s zestiness is by pairing it with foods with a fatty or creamy texture, such as avocado or macadamia nuts. This will help mellow out its acidity and add a welcoming zest that most people love.
Limes are also very refreshing, so they pair well with salty foods such as fish or pickles since the sourness will help cut through any greasiness for a more palatable flavor.
It is incredibly delicious when paired with drinks such as iced tea or cocktails.
Conclusion
Limes are usually more acidic than lemons, so they tend to be used in drinks that originate from places like Mexico and Southeast Asia.
They also have seeds, but the limes you find in stores are seedless, so there is no need to worry about removing them before eating or cooking.
Limes tend to come from warmer climates, so they are more abundant in Australia. If you want limes but can’t find them at your local grocer, substitute their juice with the juice of half a lemon instead.
Lemon zest (the outermost skin) can also add flavor to dishes that require vinegar or sourness without adding any seeds. Unlike lemons, lime zest makes a better addition to drinks.