This is the lime I actually walk out to the yard for, the one that’s in more dishes here than any other citrus.
The Basics
Tahitian lime, Citrus × latifolia, also called Persian or Bearss lime, is a seedless citrus hybrid in the family Rutaceae.
Origin and Habitat
Its exact origin is murky, likely a hybrid that arose in the Middle East or Mediterranean before spreading through Tahiti and eventually into commercial groves in the Americas, which is where the common name comes from.
What It Looks Like
Larger and less acidic than a true key lime, with smooth, thin, green to yellow skin and no seeds to deal with.
Uses and Flavor
The reliable, all-purpose lime for cooking, cocktails, and pretty much anything else that calls for a squeeze of lime juice.
Growing It Here
One of our reliable citrus, part of the same planting run as Meyer’s lemon, finger lime, and Buddha’s hand, and also part of the same push as tangelo and navel orange. Good all-purpose lime, does what you need it to.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Standard citrus pests like scale and leaf miner apply, nothing specific to report from ours so far.
Kenta’s Take
Not every citrus needs to be a novelty. This is the one that just gets used, over and over, no fanfare required, great for cooking, in cocktails, and squeezed on pretty much everything that needs a little acid.