Limes are a citrus fruit similar to oranges. They are characterized by their thin skin and smaller size. Like limes, limes are referred to as lime or lemon in most recipes.
Limes have a stronger, more distinct flavor than limes or lemons, making them a nice addition to recipes that require a lime or lemon. However, because limes are smaller and have thinner skin, it is harder to extract the juice from them.
Getting the right amount of juice out of a lime can be tricky. If you have a hard time getting the right amount of juice out of a lime, then this article is for you! Here we will discuss ways to get the most juice out of a lime.
How much juice is in a lime?
When asking this question, most people are looking for a simple answer: how many limes you need to squeeze to get a cup of juice. Unfortunately, this answer is not so simple.
Unlike oranges, limes contain very little membrane and pulp surrounding the juice. This makes it harder to get the needed quantity of juice out. Many have tried and failed to find the perfect method of extracting the perfect lime juice!
It takes approximately eight limes to make one cup of lime juice. However, this too changes depending on how dry or moist the limes are. Drier limes require more to make one cup due to having less water content.
How to extract lime juice
When limes are too dry, squeezing them will not produce any juice. To test if a lime is sufficient juice, try to squeeze one; if no juice comes out, try another lime.
You can wash your limes before squeezing them, but it is not necessary. Washing the lime may help remove any pesticides or dust that may have settled on the skin or in the grooves.
To extract the most juice from a lime, roll it on a hard surface before squeezing. This helps to break down the cells surrounding the juice, helping you to get more of it!
Once you have squeezed the lime, you can use the leftover pulp in recipes or drinks.
Lime facts
Lime is a citrus fruit native to India. It has been cultivated in other areas for hundreds of years, and it has become very popular in the United States in recent years.
There are several different types of limes available, all of which are delicious. Tahiti limes are lighter green and slightly smaller in size than a traditional lime. Key limes are smaller still and have a unique shape. Mandarin limes are not actually from India, but rather Australia!
When buying limes, you should look for fruits that are heavy for their size, have a bright color, and feel soft to the touch. If you run into one that is hard, chances are it is old and spoiled.
To get the most juice out of a lime, microwave it for thirty seconds before squeezing! This helps breakdown some of the cell walls in the fruit, allowing more juice to be extracted.
Nutrition of limes
Lime is a citrus fruit native to India. It made its way to China around 300 BC, where it was cultivated. Around the 5th century, lime was introduced to southern China, then to the rest of the continent.
In the 15th century, Europeans were familiar with lime, however, it was not widely cultivated until later. The United States is now one of the largest producers and consumers of limes.
Today, limes are grown in tropical and subtropical regions. They are not able to withstand cold weather, which is why there is not much production in Europe or the US. Luckily for us Americans, we have a large supply year round due to controlled climate conditions in Mexico!
Limes contain vitamin C and fiber. One small lime contains 8% of your daily value of vitamin C. This helps boost your immune system by fighting off bacteria and viruses in your body. Fiber helps regulate digestive system by helping with bowel movements.
Ways to use extra lime juice
When lime juice goes to waste, it is usually because you need more than a lime to make what you want to make. There are a few ways you can use the extra juice.
To clean your kitchen tools, you can mix water and vinegar with a dab of dish soap. Then, you can rinse your tools off with water to remove any residues. This method also works with knives as well!
To repurpose lime juice, you can use it in baking recipes as a substitute for lemon juice. Lime is slightly stronger than lemon, so you may need less of it in the recipe. You can also use it in cooking like fish or chicken marinade or sauce addition.
If you have extra lime juice and no uses for it, you can save it in the fridge for the next time you need it.
Taste the tropics with these recipes using lime juice
If you have a bunch of limes and no idea what to do with them, try making some of these recipes! All of them call for lime juice, so you cannot go wrong.
Lime cookies are a sweet treat that calls for lime juice in the dough. You can also make lime pepper mayonnaise instead of plain, and add avocado to the sandwich for some texture. Limeade is a refreshing beverage made with lime juice and water or soda water.
Making your own limesick remedy can help you use up lots of limes! You can either make dried garnish with them or put them in jars for later use. Either way, you are saving resources and being eco-friendly.
If you have lots of leftover lime juice, try using it up in marinades or sautés.
Tips for keeping limes longer
While limes do not typically last as long as lemons, there are some tips and tricks to using limes that will increase their longevity.
Rinse them before cutting them. This helps remove any dust or debris on the exterior of the lime. It also makes it easier to cut through the skin and flesh of the lime.
Cut off just enough for what you need- if you need a whole lime, cut out just enough so that there is enough flesh left over to coat whatever you are making. This way, there will be less waste!
Store them in a paper bag instead of a plastic one. Plastic can trap humidity, preventing the lime from drying out. A paper bag allows for air flow, helping the lime dry out faster.
Store them in a dry place with low humidity- maybe put them in a Ziploc bag or put the bag in a drawer to help prevent moisture from entering the container.
Lime sugar syrup recipe
When lime juice is not available, a great substitute is lemon juice. Alternatively, you can use a combination of the two juices if need be.
Another tip is to use limes if you have an allergy to lemons. The converse is not true, as limes do not work as a lemon substitute. You need both fruits in order to get the right flavor and amount of juice!
The best way to ensure you have enough lime juice for your drinks is to make your own limeade! Blend up limes with some water, then strain out the pulp. You will have just the right amount of liquid for your drink and no extra pulp or wasted fruit.
You can store leftover limeade in the fridge for later consumption or to use with your next drink.
