Persian - Tahiti

The Persian Lime seems to be a hybrid between a lemon tree and an acidic lime type known as Mexican Lime. It is a triploid hybrid, so it does not produce seeds. It is known to have originated in Asia and was distributed in two waves. The first brought it to Europe and the western Mediterranean via Persia, and the second took it to California via Tahiti, which explains its different names.

Vigorous tree with an open form and medium size. Dense foliage with medium-sized, lanceolate leaves and winged petioles. Oval fruit of medium size. Thin, smooth bark that is bright green at first and pale yellow at maturity. Juicy pulp with an eye-catching greenish color, as well as its juice. Juice is less acidic than that of the Mexican Lime.

In tropical areas, it produces fruit all year round. It is used to prepare soft drinks and cocktails (Caipirinha, Mojito). It also serves as a condiment for salads and seafood, and is sometimes associated with curry.