Villa Bizzarria
Meet the tree
Sweet lime is very different from the acidic lime many people know. The collection identifies it with the Palestine or Indian sweet-lime group, traditionally known as Citrus limettioides.
The plant is evergreen, with spreading growth and white flowers. Its fruit is relatively small, with a thin rind that becomes pale yellow or yellow-orange when ripe.
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Its juice has unusually low acidity. This makes its flavour seem mild or sweet, without necessarily implying more sugar than other citrus.
The villa document describes uses in drinks, sorbets and preserves, as well as aromatic pairings in savoury cooking. Its subtle character is best understood through comparison with a sharp lemon or lime.
India is identified as its region of origin. Its cultivation later spread more widely, including the Near East and Mediterranean regions. Local ripening at the villa should be distinguished from availability recorded in other collections.
