Quick Facts: Lime

• Christopher Columbus took citrus-fruit seeds, probably including limes, to the West Indies on his second voyage in 1493.¹

   

• Limes were formerly used by the British Navy to prevent scurvy, hence the nickname “limey” for the British.¹

   

• Limes provide enzymatic cooking action that turns raw seafood into ceviche without using any heat.²

   

• The rinds of juiced limes can be used to clean copper-bottomed pots and pans.²

   

• Lime juice and its oil help reduce body odor due to their vitamin C and flavonoid content.³

   

• The Association for a Better Lime Experience (AFABLE), a lime advocacy group, was founded in 2003 to promote lime’s flavor and health benefits.⁶

   

• Most limes marketed in the United States are grown in Mexico.⁷