Lime

About

Lime is the sharpest, most acidic member of the citrus family. Its peel yields a strong, spicy oil with notes of pine, lilac, and eucalyptus, much of which is used to flavor cola. Lime juice is highly acidic, giving it palate-cleansing properties and a salty impression when used in salsas; its sourness and bitterness pair well with pronounced sweetness, as in caramel, butternut squash, or condensed milk in a key lime pie. The Persian lime is the most widely available cultivar; Key limes are smaller, thicker-skinned, and unlike most Persian limes, contain seeds, though the flavor difference between the two is often subtle. Other lime-derived flavorings include dried limes, lime pickle, lime marmalade, and lime cordial.

Pairs well with lime

• CiLemonThough closely related and sharing many flavor compounds, lime's stronger, spicier pine-and-lilac character tends to dominate lemon when…
• CiOrangeLime and orange balance tequila's strength in the margarita, one of the most popular mixed drinks in the United States, where sweetness,…
• FrTomatoSangrita, a popular Mexican drink of tomato, lime and orange juice with a dash of chile, is traditionally sipped alongside tequila;…
• SpCinnamonCinnamon, often as the stronger cassia, and lime are both classic cola flavorings, alongside vanilla, caramel, nutmeg, orange, lemon, and…
• RoChocolateChocolate limes are a classic British sweet, pairing a sharp lime shell with a chocolate center.
• CrCoconutLime's sharpness cuts through coconut's heavy sweetness, much as lime frosting balances a coconut cake.
• CiGingerA Moscow Mule combines vodka, lime and ginger beer, though it can be made with milder ginger ale plus a dash of Angostura bitters for depth.
• MeBeefLime is sour, sweet, slightly bitter and intensely flavored with tropical fruit notes, and is used as a salt substitute in some cuisines.
• BeMintLime and mint, combined with rum and sugar, make the mojito.
• MaShellfishDeep-fried conch, with a texture between scallop and clam, is often served with a lime-spiked seafood cocktail sauce.
• MeChickenLime's tang appears in spicy chicken soups worldwide, notably the Yucatecan sopa de lima, where shredded chicken, chili, and tortilla…
• GrChiliThe pairing flavors a range of Mexican dishes, including chapulines, grasshoppers fried in lime and chili powder, and similarly seasoned…
• GrAvocadoA pairing central to Mexican dishes such as lime-laced guacamole and salsa served alongside grilled steak burritos.
• EaCuminBoth assertive flavors work well together on barbecued meat, roasted corn or tomato salsa.
• MaOily FishLemon cuts through the fattiness of oily fish, but lime's sharper, spicier edge works better on richer varieties such as fried mackerel or…
• SpPeppercornA touch of woodiness suits lime well; cumin and cinnamon are classic partners, but black pepper works too, as in the Cambodian sauce tuk…
• SuCornLime's sourness offsets corn's sweetness, a pairing that has become more relevant as corn breeding has pushed sugar content higher.
• CrDateBrown sugar and lime is a classic pairing that pushes sweet-and-sour flavor to an extreme, since lime has about half the natural sugar of…
• EaLentilLime pickle, a thick, pungent, sour chutney made from thin-skinned Mexican limes, stirred into cooked red lentils makes a simple, punchy…
• BrAnchovyLime and fish sauce (often anchovy-based) combine in Thai salad dressings and in nuoc cham, the Vietnamese dipping sauce served with…
• RoPeanutPeanuts flavored with lime, or lime and chile, are popular in Mexico, sold packaged or fresh from street vendors, fried in pork fat and…
• GrCilantroLime and cilantro are a defining combination in Vietnamese and Thai cooking, especially in noodle soups, and have become closely…
• EaBlack beanBlack beans pair well with lime's tang, a combination more common in South American cooking than elsewhere.
• CrMangoFresh lime squeezed over ripe mango is considered one of the best fruit pairings: lime's sharp, faintly medicinal edge is balanced by…
• WoSweet potatoLime suits the sugary orange flesh of both mango and sweet potato.
• GrGreen teaThe two flavors open Heston Blumenthal's tasting menu at the Fat Duck, in a nitro-poached mousse designed to cleanse the palate before the…
• SpBasilLime basil, a basil variety with a citrus-scented leaf, is grown from widely available seed and is most often used with fish in Thai…
• WoButternut SquashSquash's heavy sweetness benefits from lime's sharpness, as in chowders, roasted squash dressed with olive oil and lime juice, tempura…
• FrTamarindLime juice and brown sugar in equal amounts can substitute for tamarind paste in a sambal, since the sugar mimics tamarind's dried-fruit…
• CrPapayaPapaya is often seen as less complex than mango, lacking its refreshing acidity, so lime's sour, floral juice is commonly added to round…