The History of Limes

The precursors to all modern citrus plants likely originated more than 25 million years ago on the Indian subcontinent, according to a study published in Nature Genetics. However, limes as we know them today didn’t originate until much later and are the result of hybridization. Most (although not all) varieties are thought to have come from tropical or subtropical areas, but scientists have only confirmed the exact origins of a few types, including Mexican limes, which are a hybrid of citron and C. micrantha, a wild citrus fruit that is native to the Philippines. Key limes, famous for their use in Key lime pie, were originally produced in Key West, Florida, until a 1920 hurricane destroyed the farms. Today, most Key limes come from Mexico, and thus they are sometimes referred to as Mexican limes. Persian limes, also known as Tahitian limes, are the most common type sold in American grocery stores and are used in popular Mexican recipes like guacamole and margaritas. So why the name? Some botanists originally thought these limes had spread from Persia (now Iran) to Europe, while another school of thought held that these limes originated in Southeast Asia and arrived in California via Tahiti. While the exact origin of these limes is still unknown, today, Florida is the largest producer of this variety. There are actually over 20 different varieties of limes and scientists are still discovering the exact origins of most of them. However, each variety plays a key role in many cuisines throughout the world and limes remain one of the most frequently used citrus fruits in cooking today.