Lemons have long since ceased to be considered exotic even in the northern regions. This fruit is well stored, and legends just go about its benefits. And in cooking, it is used quite widely. Where they just do not add it, starting from sweets, ending with marinades for meat. But such a fruit as lime is unknown to many. If you decide to try this curiosity for the first time, there is a risk of acquiring a fake, or in other words, unripe lemons. These fruits are similar in appearance, especially if you do not know some features, but are not at all interchangeable. If you decide to cook an unusual delicacy, the recipe of which includes lime or its juice, adding lemon will violate the technology, and the result will most likely disappoint you.
“Well, what is the difference between lemon and lime?” - you ask. At first glance, you can find except that the difference in color. But in fact, everything is much more complex and multifaceted. We will understand the nuances.
Obvious resemblance
Before talking about the differences, we will consider common features, which are often a source of error. Both citrus fruits belong to the Rutov family, both have a lobed structure and an acidic taste. Unripe lemons are similar to limes in color.
It is because of these similarities that it is sometimes difficult to differentiate a lemon from a lime. What is the difference between one fruit and another? Many people are surprised, but even a sour taste can be an identifier. And the color of the bright lime peel is easy to distinguish from the unripe greens of the lemon, which were picked ahead of schedule.
The main thing is color
The following illustration shows just such a fruit - an unripe lemon. Does he look appetizing? Does it make you want to decorate your culinary masterpiece with a slice?
The peel of an unripe lemon is colored unevenly, the flesh is light or whitish, the bones are green inside.
Ready-to-eat lime evokes other emotions. Its juicy green peel does not even look immature in appearance. After all, this is her natural color.
By the way, limes are also often plucked in advance, because the shelf life of this fruit is several times shorter than that of a lemon (here's another difference). But he ripens on the way, and into the store he is already ripe.
The difference between lemon and lime is obvious when comparing pulp. In an unripe lemon, it is light yellow, translucent. Lime is always light green inside. Even this color got its name from the fruit - lime. It is light, warm, juicy, with a small fraction of a yellowish tint. This is what the fruit pulp looks like.
Winner in the Most Acid nomination
Everyone who has ever tried raw lime can easily distinguish it from any other product, not like lemon. Its taste is simply impossible to confuse with any other. Lemon could seriously claim the title of the most acidic fruit, but lime will give it a hundred points ahead. It is simply impossible to eat raw, without bending over.
Remember: lime differs from lemon in taste. This is a very important difference. Even unripe fruits cannot be more acidic than ripe lime itself.
When size matters
Are you trying to distinguish lemon from lime when buying? What is the difference between the taste and color of one fruit from another, you already know. Now pay attention to the shape and size. Lemons are larger and more oval, limes are more like small balls. If the seller provides an opportunity to look at the fruit in the context, pay attention to the thickness of the crust. In lime, it is very thin and dense. Thick-skinned fruit with a green peel and translucent yellowish flesh is an unripe lemon.
Storage time
If you buy on the same day and put lemon and lime in the refrigerator, the differences of which you already know, you will notice another pattern. After a few days, the first fruit will lie quietly on the shelf, and the second will begin to fade. Shelf life of lime in the best conditions, which include a temperature of + 4 ° C and the absence of moisture, barely reaches two weeks. Lemon is not so capricious, it retains its presentation for a month, or even more.
Price as a hint
There is another important rule that should be followed when trying to distinguish lemon from lime. What is the difference between the price of one fruit from another, it is not difficult to guess, given everything that we have already found out. Lime is on average twice, or even three times more expensive than lemon. In addition, on the counter you will not see a huge amount of this fruit, while there may be several boxes of lemons. What can I say, the demand for these fruits is different.
Remember that an attractive discount on limes and other promotions should not be misleading. Too cheap fruits can turn out to be overripe, because, as you already know, you can’t store them for a long time.
Composition and benefits of fruits
In the laboratory, it is also easy to differentiate lemon from lime. What is the difference between the composition of these fruits, any biologist can easily explain. The content of ascorbic acid in lime is several times higher than in lemon. In addition, its flesh contains a huge amount of fruit acids and B vitamins. Lemon contains more volatile and B vitamins.
Both fruits are very healthy, which is why they are widely used in pharmacology. Respect these fruits and supporters of a healthy diet, athletes, tourists. Of course, going on a long trip, it is worth giving preference to lemon - it can be stored much longer.
It will not be superfluous to mention that a large amount of ascorbic acid contained in lime is destroyed by heat treatment. Therefore, many chefs try raw to use its juice and pulp for the preparation of drinks, cocktails, sorbets and marinades.
Lemon green under the guise of lime: how to recognize counterfeit
To summarize, one can easily list how the lime differs from the green lemon. Its color is appetizing and pleasant, the flesh is painted in a saturated green shade (“lime”), and not in translucent yellow, it is more acidic in taste, but usually costs more than a lemon.
Another feature that will help you not to get confused is the peculiar “nose” that lemon has. Lime has both tips sloping and even. Many experts note the smoothness of the skin - in lemon it is more porous.
Remember these simple signs, and you can always easily distinguish these healthy fruits, acquiring exactly what you need in a particular situation.