Citrus limetta (Sweet Lime)

Sweet limes, Lima Dulce, are a hybrid variety whose parentage has been linked to key limes and a citron variety. Sweet limes are rounded with conical indented ends. Their rind is lemon yellow at maturity, thin, and semi smooth with prominent oil glands which makes them very aromatic. Their flesh is translucent yellow, tender, and very juicy, though it lacks any substantial levels of citric acid, thus the flavor is sweet with an insipid finish.

Sweet limes are native to India where they are grown commercially. They are also a commercially grown citrus in Egypt, the Near East and Latin America. Sweet lime trees are also used as rootstock, even though their rootstock is prone to disease. Sweet limes have very little presence in American horticulture outside of ornamental use and as a garden tree. In California the climatic influences create dramatically different sized and shaped sweet lime fruits from coastal to desert regions. Most sweet limes can be found at farmers market and at Latin American markets.

Sweet limes bear fruit in the winter months.