A summer staple, limes add a refreshing, zesty kick to almost any food or drink. Of the many varieties of limes, Key lime is smaller, more acidic, juicer and more aromatic than some others like Persian lime. Valued for its characteristic flavor, Key lime’s name is associated with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. It is also known as West Indian lime and Mexican lime. Native to tropical Southeast Asia, Key lime has a thin rind, causing it to ripen quickly, so it is usually picked while still green and becomes yellow as it ripens.

Limes contain several active compounds, many with antioxidant properties, including flavonoids (apigeni, hesperetin, kaempferol, nobiletin, quercetin, and rutin), limonoids, ascorbic acid, citric acid, alkaloids, carotenoids, coumarins, phenolic acids, triterpenoids and essential oils.*