Content
- 1 What does a bloody lime look like?
- 2 Composition and nutritional value of the hybrid
- 3 Why Blood Lime is Good for You
- 4 Limitations and contraindications
- 5 How the bloody Australian lime is eaten
- 6 What is made from red lime
- 7 Some interesting facts about blood lime
- 8 Conclusion
Citrus is a special kind of plant that is cultivated on an industrial scale. Among the variety of citrus fruits, lime occupies a prominent place. It is a fruit that has a genetic similarity to lemon. Based on the species, various hybrid varieties with special varietal characteristics have been bred. Bloody Lime is a hybrid that is distinguished by its spectacular external characteristics and special taste.
What does a bloody lime look like?
A variety of red appeared on the territory of Australia in early 1990. According to the researchers, during the pollination stage, there was a mixing of pollen from wild finger lime and red Cantonese lemon. The result is a fruit called the Bloody Australian Lime.
The first years of its existence, the red fruit was grown as an ornamental shrub. Ripe limes look especially impressive when arranging personal plots. Photos of bloody lime shrubs always impress designers and gardeners. The first commercial crop of red blood lime was harvested in 2004.
The shrub grows on soils characteristic of a subtropical climate. The tree develops slowly and has some peculiarities.
- The branches of the shrub hang down, dark green leaves jagged along the edges develop densely on them. The sinuses of the leaf plates form short, sharp spines. The height of the shrub reaches 2.5 m;
- The flowers of the plant are medium in size, white or pink-cream. They give off a faint lemon scent when blooming;
- Fruits resemble classic lemons in shape, their length reaches 5 - 8 cm, width - 3 - 4 cm. Their peel is thin, bright orange, red or cherry - at the time of the onset of technical ripeness. The pulp of the fruit is located in segments that differ in shape from the usual citrus fruits and acquires a red hue as it ripens. Dense and juicy, it tastes sweet and sour.
The juice that is squeezed out of red lime acquires redness of varying intensity. The aroma of the pulp is reminiscent of grapefruit. The pulp segments contain dense seeds.
Composition and nutritional value of the hybrid
Bloody limes are classified as low in calories. By the composition of the fruit, one can judge the benefits of the hybrid: the water part is about 87%, about 10% - carbohydrates, 1% - protein and fat.
The fruits of the red bloody citrus are rich in nutrients:
- pantothenic, citric, ascorbic acids;
- riboflavin;
- choline;
- anthocyanin;
- niacin;
- carotene;
- thiamine;
- nicotinomide;
- phytoncides;
- trace elements: potassium, phosphorus, iron.
In addition, citrus contains essential oils characteristic of the species, as well as sucrose, organic acids.
How many calories are in red lime
The fruit of a red bloody citrus is low in calories: 100 g of pulp has an indicator of 30 kcal. This citrus quality is often used for the preparation of dietary meals, as the basis for numerous fasting diets.
Why Blood Lime is Good for You
The unique composition of the hybrid citrus makes it useful and in demand.
- The pulp of the fruit is used for colds as a remedy that can replenish the supply of vitamin C, as well as help to increase the body's defenses.
- Phytoncides have a bactericidal effect, which is manifested in the normalization of natural processes occurring at different levels: relieving inflammation, preventing the penetration of infections.
- Micro- and macroelements in the composition of the product help to improve vision, strengthen the optic nerve, and have a beneficial effect on the general condition.
- Acids and organic substances activate the natural production of collagen and elastin. This has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair.
- Anthocyanins, nianacytes are involved in the stabilization of the body's metabolic processes. It affects your overall health.
Citruses of this variety are able to replenish the forces expended after physical exertion, to increase the water balance to a normal level.
Limitations and contraindications
Despite its beneficial properties, the unique composition of red citrus can have harmful effects on the body. It should be used with caution for diseases of the intestines, pancreas, liver and kidneys.
Acids activate the production of gastric juice, so they can be contraindicated in case of high acidity. The period of exacerbation of an ulcer or gastritis is a direct contraindication for the use of citrus fruits. The furocoumarins that the pulp contains can cause an allergic reaction.
How the bloody Australian lime is eaten
All parts of the bloody red citrus are used for cooking. They are used as an addition to tea, salads, marinades, main and first courses. The peculiarity of the application lies in the fact that the pulp cannot be cut into circles or segments, as they do with other varieties of citrus fruits. Cut the red lime in halves and spoon the pulp.
The skin of the fruit is thin and aromatic. In many countries in the Middle East, it is used to add to various dishes.
Red citrus is not offered to children under 6 years old, and is also not recommended for pregnant and lactating women - due to the risk of developing allergic reactions.
What is made from red lime
Red lime is not as common as the classic green variety. This is due to the difficulties of transportation and growth characteristics only in the subtropics. The red variety is more suitable for culinary use than the green fruit because its flavor is more varied.
Dish recipes
Lime is included in the preparation of the most unusual dishes. It goes well with seafood, meat, vegetables.
Salted salmon
Ingredients:
- salmon fillet - 800 g;
- lime red - 3 pcs.;
- sea salt - 4 tbsp. l .;
- sugar - 2 tbsp. l .;
- pepper.
The zest as well as the dry ingredients are mixed. The mixture is spread over the bottom of the salting container, prepared fillet is laid out on top, sprinkled with red citrus juice, and then covered with foil. Put in the cold for 24 hours. Then the fillet is washed, dried with a towel before use.
Mexican salad
Canned beans, cherry tomatoes, red onions are cut into rings, the avocado pulp is mixed in a bowl. Then add segments of red lime, olive oil, salt, pepper to taste. The salad should be infused for about 2 hours.
Lime marmalade
The juice of one lime, its segments are mixed with 1.5 tbsp. sugar and 0.5 tbsp. water. The mixture is cooked over low heat, with the addition of a small amount of gelatin. After cooling, the marmalade is poured into molds and removed for freezing.
Baked fish
Fillet of sea fish is rubbed with a mixture of salt and pepper, then lime eggs are added. The fish is wrapped in foil, then baked over coals.
Marinade for meat
Juice, pulp of 3 red limes, juice of 1 lemon are mixed with salt, pepper to taste, rosemary sprigs are added, dried herbs at your discretion. Rub the meat fillet with the mixture and leave it for 2 - 3 hours. Meat is fried or baked over coals.
Refreshing recipes
Drinks made from pulp and red citrus juice are especially popular. For drinks, it is not only the taste that matters, but also the color of the lime.
Refreshing tea
The tea leaves are brewed in the usual way, then the crushed pulp of the red fruit and the zest are added. The tea drink is cooled, a sweetener is added, served on the table after straining.
May-Thai cocktail
Rum is mixed in a shaker with pulp and blood lime juice, Curacau syrup is added and mixed again. Served with mint leaves, garnished with pineapple wedges.
Deuce
The juice of lemon, red lime, orange is mixed in equal quantities. Served with ice cubes.
Alcoholic drink
Tonic, gin, lemon juice are complemented with eggs of red lime pulp. When serving, add ice, a circle of orange.
Lemonade
Mineral water is mixed with sugar, lemon juice. Add a few tablespoons of red lime pulp. Serve with ice.
Sauces
Lime sauces go well with seafood, as well as meat or poultry dishes.
Vietnamese hot sauce
- white pepper - 4 tsp;
- black pepper - 6 tsp;
- juice of 1 lime.
Freshly ground pepper is used for the sauce. It is mixed with lime juice until smooth. Salt is added if necessary. This sauce is served in a separate bowl with baked meat or charcoal-grilled fish.
Fish sauce
The olive oil, soy sauce, and blood lime juice are mixed until smooth. Separately combine chopped garlic, lime pulp, chopped basil leaves. The mixtures are allowed to brew for 30 minutes. Served with fish.
Bakery products
Usually lime is combined with shortcrust or puff pastry.
Pie
Lime and lemon are chopped whole with a blender, add 1.5 tbsp. sugar and boiled until thick. A detachable form with a diameter of 24 cm is lined with parchment, ready-made shortbread dough is distributed on it. It is pricked in several places, then baked at 180 ° C for 20 minutes.
The citrus mixture is mixed with 1 tbsp. sour cream, 1 beaten egg and 2 tbsp. l. starch. The cooled dough is filled with a citrus mixture and kept in the oven for about 25 minutes. at a temperature of 150 ° C.
Lime Cupcakes
For the dough, mix 100 g of sugar, 90 g of butter, 1 egg, 50 g of milk, 120 g of flour. Baking powder is added during the mixing step with flour. Lime juice, 1 tsp the pulp is mixed into the finished composition. The muffins are baked for 20 minutes. at a temperature of 180 ° C. For lime glaze, grind the icing sugar with fruit juice until smooth. Cupcakes are decorated with icing, lime pulp.
Some interesting facts about blood lime
- The locals, who were the first to taste the lime, called it “fruit with eggs”. The segments inside the fruit resemble red caviar. When cut, they break up into round red balls.
- Thin skin is the main obstacle for long-term and long-distance transportation. A slight pressure damages the skin, the pulp seeps out. Manufacturers prefer to transport red citrus frozen: for this they use a special type of packaging.
- Lime of this variety, after the appearance and patenting, was called "bloody". French entrepreneurs have changed the word "bloody" to "red" so as not to scare away buyers.
- The largest bloody citrus plantation is located in Australia, it has up to 1400 trees of this variety. The plantation is owned by Australian farmer Warren Mackintosh.
- Australians use blood lime in their dishes and cosmetics for face, hair and body.
- The cultivation of blood lime has become popular in South America. There I distribute the seedlings brought from Australia.
Conclusion
Bloody lime is an unusual and effective citrus. It has useful properties and excellent taste.Due to the peculiarities of its structure, it is difficult to transport it, therefore it is not very common in Europe and Asia.
