The Mexican Lime

In the early days of long voyages, many sailors died due to the dreaded disease, scurvy. Had they known of Citrus, things would have been different!

We did not plant our trees to prevent scurvy but because we enjoy the tropical aroma of blossoms in the springtime, the winter fruit and juice they provide and the shiny green leaves they display. Of all our citrus, our favorite is the Mexican lime. We had planted a Bearss, touted as the best lime for Southern California but, at least in our area, found the Mexican lime to be superior. We removed the Bearrs and kept the Mexican lime.

The lime tree, Citrus aurantifolia, has awful thorns...not to worry! When ripe, the fruit turns pale yellow and drops from the tree. The small fruit is easy to squeeze because it has a thin skin. Bartenders use it almost exclusively. If you have traveled in Mexico, you have noticed it is served with everything and used in food preparation, from ceveche to beef , fish, soups and fruits. It is the wedge served with cerveza and the fruit used to make Key lime pie ( another alias for Mexican lime ) It is sold in all the mercados and small tiendas throughout Mexico. I have experimented and make a delicious Mexican lime pie. (Use your favorite lemon pie recipe, substitute lime juice for lemon but increase zest to two tablespoons, add 1 drop of green vegetable food color. ) I freeze the juice and zest for later use. Best of all, even when you think the harvest is over you can find a leftover hanging on the tree. We have had fruit on the tree in winter and summer!

Limes have been used for centuries as a prevention or cure for many maladies. They have been used as a digestive aid, to treat gout, to lose weight, to treat insect bites, as antibiotics and disinfectants, for vitamin C deficiency and many other remedies. The oil is used in cosmetics. The peel is fed to cattle.

The tree is sensitive to freezing and probably does best in the higher parts of Borrego basin. It is about the only Citrus that can be grown from seed and remain true to the parent plant. It can tolerate drought but responds favorably to a regular watering regimen.

We love our lime tree !