“We’re working with a new crop of limes out of Veracruz, Mexico,” said J.B. Cutsinger of International Citrus and Produce. “The quality is high and the size is beginning to improve,” he said. “They’re very juicy as well.”
Cutsinger added, “The weather has been very good for this crop. It’s been raining down in Veracruz, which helps the quality of the fruit as well as the size of the crop. The market has been easing off for the past few weeks. The prices have been slipping a little, but I expect a turnaround within the next week or two.”
When asked why Mexican limes are so popular with Americans, Cutsinger said, “With today’s cooking shows and the cocktails that use limes and lime juice, this increases the consumption of limes worldwide, not just in the US.” This includes the traditional margarita, the Blue Pineapple margarita, other cocktails and, of course, Mexican beers. Mexican limes are also used in fruit plates, tacos, on seafood, grilled beef and salads. The juice of fresh limes is also squeezed onto roasted peanuts.
In Mexico, people use limes for medicinal purposes. When mixed with honey and onion, the juice and lime peel help people with bad coughs. In addition, the lime’s aroma stimulates the salivary glands, according to MexConnect. Limes are used as an aid in digestion. Finally, limes are rich in flavonoids, which help to increase the production of digestive juices in the stomach.
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