Lime Peel

Photo: flickr user ginsnob

About

Lime peel is the skin of a lime, usually grated, used to provide a bitter or citrus-y taste to various dishes, usually desserts.

Information

Other names: zest

Translations: ライムピール, Liepų Peel, الجير قشر, Vápno Peel, 라임 껍질을 벗기고, Limettenschale, Vápno Peel, ליים פיל, Креч Пеел, Limoenschil, Dayap Peel, चूने पील, Cáscara de lima, Лайм-Пив, 石灰皮尔, Лайм-Пил, Closca de llima, Лайм Обелете

Physical Description

Lime peel is the green outside skin of the lime fruit. You can actually peel it off with a sharp knife.

Colors: Bright Green and white

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Bitter, Sour

Mouthfeel: Firm with a bit of oiliness

Food complements: Beef, Chicken, Chick peas, Whipped cream, Pork, Vegetables, Cream, Fruit

Wine complements: Gewurztraminer

Beverage complements: Tequila, Rum, Ice tea

Substitutes: Lemon peel, Lime juice

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Peak: june, july, august

Choosing: Look for fruit that is firm but not hard with a fairly smooth skin. Whole limes should be free of blemishes. Some yellow patches are OK, but mostly green is desireable.

Buying: Limes are widely available in supermarkets and from fruit stands.

Procuring: In temperate climates, limes are easy to grow, small/dwarf varieties can be grown in containers indoors. Leave fruit on the trees until use as they will not rot and can be stored there much longer. Since most lime trees produce large quantities, people who have them are usually willing to give away excess fruit, but be sure to ask before taking from a tree on someone else' property.

Preparation and Use

Look for fruit that is firm but not hard with a fairly smooth skin. Whole limes should be free of blemishes. Some yellow patches are OK, but mostly green is desireable.

Cleaning: Some stores coat limes in a protective wax or oil, if using the peel this should be removed by washing in cold water.