Lime is a green-coloured round citrus fruit. Lemons are oval-shaped, yellow coloured citrus fruits. Both the fruits- Lime and Lemon belong to the citrus class of fruits.
Both the fruits have a very high inflammatory property that makes them an important and beneficial citrus fruit. Because of the low pH or power of Hydrogen values, it has been observed that lime is more acidic than lemon. Comparing the two values,
the pH of Lemon juice- 2.1 to 2.7
the pH of Lime juice- 2.0 to 2.5
Key Takeaways
- Lime is smaller and greener than lemon, which is larger and yellow.
- Lime has a more acidic and bitter taste than lemon, which has a sour taste with a hint of sweetness.
- Lime is commonly used in cocktails and South-East Asian cuisine, while lemon is used in baking and Mediterranean cuisine.
Lime vs Lemon
Lime is a small, round fruit , it is green, and quite acidic. It is a good source of vitamin C and has a distinct, tart flavor. A lemon is a citrus fruit that is round or oval in shape and has a bright yellow, textured outer skin. It has acidic pulp and juice that is sour in taste.
Usually, Lime is an oxide or hydroxide of calcium in scientific terms. A few reactions taking place are: CaCO3 à CaO + CO2 …..(1) and CaO + H2O à Ca(OH)2 ……(2) The Calcium Hydroxide decomposes in the presence of heat to form Calcium Oxide and Carbon Dioxide.
This is summarised in equation number (1). Calcium Oxide combines with water molecules in the moisture to form Calcium Hydroxide. This has been illustrated in equation (2).
The end product in reaction number 2 is the Calcium Hydroxide, which is the chemical formula of lime.
Lemon is a citrus fruit that grows on lush evergreen trees. This citrus fruit has its late blossom and is based in China and Myanmar. The taste is sour. This fruit is consumed in many forms. A few may include- juice, salad, dressing, flavouring etc.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Lime | Lemon |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Lime is a citrus fruit that is grown in the subtropical and tropical parts of the world. | The lemon is a citrus fruit grown in the lush evergreen forests around the world. |
| Shape and Size | Limes are smaller, round. They resemble a small tennis ball in size. | Lemons have their resemblance to oranges. They are oval-shaped and yellow. |
| Taste | Lime is very sour. It may also impart a slight bitterness in the taste. | Lemons are sour. They can range from less sour, sweet-sour to bitter. |
| Nutritional Value | Calories- 30 Carbs- 11 grams Protein- 1 gram Fat- 0 gram Potassium- 3% Iron- 3% Vitamin B6- 2% Vitamin C- 48% | Calories- 29 Carbs- 9 grams Protein- 1 gram Fat- 0 gram Potassium- 4% Iron- 3% Vitamin B6- 4% Vitamin C- 88% |
| Health Benefits | The lime is highly beneficial with vitamin C contents. Apart from the distinctive taste, it has high cleansing properties. | Highly recommended for a good immune system. |
What is Lime?
Apart from the scientific definitions, a lime is just a fruit. It is very sour. If consumed in an irregular and large quantity, it may cause a sore throat and many diseases related to the throat. With a pleasing sour taste, it also cleanses the whole immune system.
The limes are smaller in size. They are round and green, precisely, light green-yellow in colour. This fruit imparts a very yummy taste, especially the Indian dishes.
The lime is genetically different from that of a lemon. They are grown in subtropical and tropical regions. As per its use, the medical industry is highly benefitted by it.
Nowadays, the Cosmetic industry is also investing in such food items. It is joining its hand along with the food technology to create a fusion that is highly in demand.
What is Lemon?
The lemons are grown in moderate climates all around the world. A huge number of food-based industries use lemons and processed lemons.
The lemons are now becoming a part of the cosmetic industry. Lemon oil is believed to be one of the very rich essential oils is used for skin. It not only nourishes but also enhances the quality of the skin.
Lemons make a very significant dietary supplement in the diet. Its shape resembles that of an orange. The vitamin & mineral content is higher in lemons.
Lemons are added as a side ingredient in immunity shots. In a spoon of honey, 2-3 pinches of turmeric, half a spoon of cinnamon and black pepper are added along with half a spoon of lemon.
This makes a good immune shot. It helps in fighting many diseases.
Main Differences Between Lime and Lemon
- Lime is light-green to yellow-green. The lemons are bright yellow. The diameter of lime and lemon is 3-6 centimetres and 6-9 centimetres, respectively.
- Since lemons have a lower pH value than lime, The acidic content in lime is higher. Lemons are very rich in antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Lime is rich in antioxidants.
- Both the fruits have citric acid. Lime juice has 48.6-48.8 g/L of citric acid whereas, lemon juice has an average of 47.9-48.1 g/L of citric acid. This citric acid enhances metabolic strength.
- In terms of flavour, both the fruits resemble each other with a slight change in the puckers and sour notes. Lime is sour and a very little bitter. The lemons are range from being very sour to sweet and sour to bitter.
- The lime is slightly unripened. So its life span is a little longer than that of a lemon. Lemons, on the other hand, are completely ripe fruits. So their shelf-life is of a few days. Also, as soon as these citrus fruits are cut, it is suggested to consume the whole fruit immediately. It should not be left open.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814600000649
- https://hilgardia.ucanr.edu/Abstract/?a=hilg.v42n09p361
Last Updated : 16 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
