2. Blood Lime: Similar to the lime trees mentioned above the blood lime is also found in Australia. This rare fruit has reddish flesh and is believed to be a hybrid of the native finger lime and Ellendale mandarin. Planted mostly as an ornamental tree, this species is only suitable for experienced citrus growers.

3. Calamondin Lime: Sometimes called a musk lime, these lime trees are found mostly in China and the Philippines. Used to prepare many delicacies, this sweet and watery fruit is common in many chutney recipes as well as cranberry sauces, marmalade and papaya juices. Those who use this fruit for culinary purposes often stew the rind and add it to meat and poultry dishes.

4. Key Lime trees: Commonly referred to as “the bartender’s lime” this is quite possibly the most popular and easily assessable type of lime. These small and ornamental lime trees are grown in areas of Mexico, the Florida Keys and West Indies. This tree is unique from other citrus baring plants because the fruit can range in color from yellow to bright green regardless of the time of year. Yellow key limes are common and can be easily mistaken for a lemon.

5. Limetta: Where the Limetta originates from is not known for sure. However, most cultivating experts agree that these lime trees are more than likely a hybrid of the Mexican Lime and a sweet Lemon which was grown originally in India.

6. Mandarin Lime: The history behind the Mandarin Lime is an interesting one. Found in Tahiti in 1813, these sweet but sometimes bitter fruit were presented to the Queens and Kings of England and France by explorers. Though these lime trees are only cultivated by a handful of commercial companies, they can be found growing wild on the Caroline Islands.

The history of limettas dates back to early Roman times when lemons were used primarily for ornamental purposes. Still grown primarily in the Mediterranean regions, limettas started to make an appearance during the Gold Rush days and to this day California, Arizona and Florida are all popular limetta growing states.

Although a member of the lemon family, limettas have a number of different characteristics that set them apart. Although yellow on the outside like a lemon, the rind is quite bumpy. The flesh has a greenish tinge to it and unlike a lemon that gets your mouth good and puckered, the limetta is quite sweet and not acidic. It has often been described as tasting like homemade lemonade without having to add all that sugar! As its popularity grows, chefs around the world are seeking it out for its wonderfully sweet and juicy flavors.

Some say this fruit is the ultimate one to use for making mouth-watering lemon pie and homemade lemonade. Because it is never bitter, it also makes great sauces to top seafood rice and other dishes. Limettas are also easy to preserve for cooking and baking and once sealed will keep for months, providing zesty lemony flavor whenever you need it. Limettas should be most abundant in produce markets from November to May.

Many online sellers of citrus trees offer limettas in containers for either use as houseplants or for outdoor gardening. It is recommended that limetta trees growing outdoors be brought inside during the colder months to prevent damage.

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