| Citrus limetta | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Citrus |
| Species: | C. limetta |
| Binomial name | |
| Citrus limetta | |
Citrus limetta, alternatively considered to be acultivar ofCitrus limon,C. limon 'Limetta',[1] is a species ofcitrus, commonly known asmousami,musami,mosambi,sweet lime,sweet lemon, andsweet limetta, it is a member of thesweet lemons. It is small and round, like a common lime.[2] It is a cross between thecitron (Citrus medica) and abitter orange (Citrus ×aurantium).[3]
It is native to the southern regions ofIran[4][5] and also cultivated in theMediterranean Basin. It is a different fruit from thePalestinian sweet lime[6] and from familiar sourlimes such as theKey lime and thePersian lime. However, genomic analysis revealed that it is highly similar toRhobs el Arsa, and the two likely represent progeny of distinct crosses involving the same citrus parents.[3]
The South Asian cultivars originated inMozambique and were brought to South Asia by the Portuguese. The common namemosambi and its variants trace their origin to Mozambique.[7][8]
_Mosambi_at_a_market_in_Seethammadhara.jpg)
C. limetta is a small tree up to 8 m (26 ft) in height, with irregular branches and relatively smooth, brownish-grey bark. It has numerous thorns, 15–75 mm (0.59–2.95 in) long. Thepetioles are narrowly but distinctly winged, and are 8–29 mm (0.31–1.14 in) long.Leaves arecompound, withacuminateleaflets 50–170 mm (2.0–6.7 in) long and 28–89 mm (1.1–3.5 in) wide.Flowers are white, 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) wide.Fruits are oval and green, ripening to yellow, with greenish pulp. The pith is white and about 5 mm (0.20 in) thick. Despite the namesweet lime, the fruit is more similar to a greenish orange in appearance.
.jpg)
C. limetta grows intropical andsubtropical climates. It begins bearing fruit at 5 to 7 years old, with peak production at 10 to 20 years. It ispropagated byseed.
As the namesweet lime suggests, the flavour is sweet and mild, but retains the essence of lime. The lime's taste changes rapidly when exposed to air, and will turn bitter in a few minutes,[citation needed] but if drunk soon after being juiced, the taste is sweet. The flavour is a bit flatter than most citrus due to its lack of acidity. It can be compared tolimeade andpomelo.
Sweet lime is served as juice and a good mixer for vodka or rum. It is the most common citrus juice available in theIndian subcontinent. The juice is commonly sold at mobile road stalls.
Like most citrus, the fruit is rich invitamin C, providing 50 mg per 100 g serving and antioxidants.[12] In Iran, it is popular as a home remedy to treatinfluenza and thecommon cold.
The tree is used forornamental purposes as well as forgraft stock.[13]
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 180 kJ (43 kcal) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9.3 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugars | 1.7g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dietary fibre | 0.5 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.3 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.7-0.8 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other constituents | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water | 88 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated usingUS recommendations for adults,[14] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from theNational Academies.[15] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Like mostcitrus, sweet limes will not ripen off the tree, and must be picked when fully ripe. This is indicated by its tennis-ball size and lustrous, greenish-yellow sheen. Gently scratch the surface of a sweet lime: If its oils give way in the fingernails, it is ripe. The juiciest fruits feel heavy for their size.
Underripe fruit feels light for its size and has hard tart flesh. Overripe fruit is dull and shrunken, with dry, spongy skin. Avoid fruit with brownish-yellow discoloration.[16]
Sweet limes keep fresh for up to two weeks at room temperature, and four to eight weeks refrigerated. Frozen juice will keep for up to six months. It is possible to freeze slices of the fruit, though thelimonin content may cause the pulp to taste bitter over time. This can be avoided by submerging the slices in sweet syrup within an airtight glass jar.
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
