Lemons vs Limes: What's the Difference?

Medically Reviewed on 9/15/2022
Lemons vs Limes
Lemons and limes contain a lot of vitamins and minerals.

Although they may have many similarities, lemons and limes are not the same. The fact that both fruits are members of the citrus family and can be cultivated in many regions around the world is one of their many similarities.

  • They are both used for their nutritional benefits and various domestic purposes such as cleaning and freshening up the air.
  • They are both renowned for their sour, acidic flavors.

What are the uses of lemons and limes?

Both fruits have revolutionized the culinary world. Both their juices and rinds are frequently used in recipes to give food a bit of sourness and acidity.

Lemons can be used to offer a burst of refreshment to any dish because they are slightly milder.

  • Desserts such as tarte au citron and lemon meringue pie highlight the tangy flavor of the lemon.
  • Lemons are frequently added to fish and vegetables to improve the flavor.

Vietnamese, Thai, and Mexican cuisines frequently incorporate lime.

  • The traditional American favorite key lime pie is a highly popular dessert prepared with limes.
  • Additionally, limes are frequently used in salsa, fruit salad, summer cocktails, and ceviche.

Differences between lemons and limes

  • Lemon is a fruit that grows on the little, evergreen lemon tree (Citrus limon) that is indigenous to Asia. By contrast, lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is truly a hybridized citrus fruit that is grown in a variety of ways worldwide.
  • Limes are frequently planted in tropical and subtropical areas because they require a warmer environment to flourish. About 40 percent of the world's supply of Persian and West Indian lime is produced in Brazil and Mexico. Additionally, limes are raised commercially in Guatemala, Vietnam, Israel, and other nations in South America.
  • Lemons are more resilient and flourish in moderate regions all over the world. Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, India, and China are the major lemon exporters. Depending on the climate, the USDA designates plant hardiness zones for types of lands in the United States. Lemons can be grown in American zones 9  to 11.
  • Lemons are sour, whereas limes are bitter. Lime flavors are frequently described as acidic, tart, and just a sweet touch. Lemons are typically sour and pucker-inducing, but they also offer a highly refreshing flavor to whatever you use them in.
  • Lime is often much more rounded and smaller than lemon. Lime rarely exceeds one to two inches in diameter. It has a bright green rind.
  • When fully mature, limes will turn a yellow tint, but they are frequently harvested when they are still green and underripe because if they are less mature when collected and packaged, they will be simpler to carry and last longer in stores.
  • Not only lime fruits are smaller but also lime trees often have shorter trunks. They have little leaves on the branches and are slender.
  • Lemons have a diameter of between two and four inches and are more oval. When ripe, lemons have a deep, rich yellow color. As lemons mature, anthocyanin replaces the chlorophyll in the rind, causing the fruit to change color from green to yellow.
  • Large lemon trees can grow to about 20 feet. They have substantially larger, oblong leaves and branches that are wider.

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Lime vs Lemon: Nutrition

Lemons and limes contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. Both, however, have few calories and are rich sources of vitamin C. Lemons and limes were extremely important during the 18th and 19th centuries due to their high vitamin C content.

One hundred grams of raw limes provide us with the following nutrients:

Table 1. The nutritional content of raw limes (100 grams)
Nutrient Amount
Energy 30 kcal
Protein 0.7 grams
Fat 0.2 grams
Calcium 33 mg
Potassium 102 mg
Phosphorus 18 mg
Vitamin C 29.1 mg
Choline 5.1 mg
Vitamin A, IU 50 IU

One hundred grams of raw lemons provide us with the following nutrients:

Table 2. The nutritional content of raw lemons (100 grams)
Nutrient Amount
Energy 29 kcal
Protein 1.1 grams
Fat 0.3 grams
Calcium 26 mg
Potassium 138 mg
Phosphorus 16 mg
Vitamin C 53 mg
Choline 5.1 mg
Cryptoxanthin, beta 20 mcg
Medically Reviewed on 9/15/2022
References
Image Source: Getty images

https://www.webmd.com/diet/difference-between-lime-and-lemon

https://thekitchencommunity.org/are-limes-unripe-lemons/

https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1102594/nutrients

https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168155/nutrients