A slice of lemon or lime always seems to freshen up a glass of water or soda. When I was at a local restaurant the other day and ordered a club soda, the waitress asked if I wanted a lemon or a lime in it.

I had never given the choice much thought. They’re both citrus. A little bit of acid that wakes up the taste of a pretty much tasteless beverage. What’s the difference?

I decided to do a little research.

Lemons/Limes

Carbs 9.32g/11g
Sugars 2.5g/1.7g
Fiber 2.8g/3g
Fat .3g/.2g
Vit C 53.mg/29mg

Looking at the official food factoids suggests some differences. I was surprised to learn that lemons have more vitamin C than limes. But a chemical analysis didn’t really address the difference for me.

After more research, I discovered that lemons come from trees that can grow up to 30 feet tall and limes grow on shrubs that might reach 12 feet high at best. Lemons seem to have originated in northwestern India and southern Italy and limes were first cultivated in southeast Asia. Limes have a denser flesh and a similarly sized lime will be heavier than a lemon. Lemons are oilier. With regard to which is tarter and which is sweeter, that seems to be a subject for debate. Lemons generally have more sugar, but sugar content alone does not mean sweet. There is also myriad varieties of limes, some sweeter than others, and almost as much variety in taste buds.

They smell different. This is my first observation, although I am not sure what words I would use to describe their unique fragrances. Before eating or drinking anything with a lemon or lime, I would smell their aromas, like calling cards, announcing their impending arrival. Lemons smell clean, bright, sharp. Limes smell more complex, flowery. I seem to prefer lemon flavoring in some things like still water, green beans with olive oil and tarragon. I prefer lime slices in gin and tonics or tomato juice.

A lime is not a green lemon. It is different in ways, perhaps, I can’t explain. I am glad, most times though, I have the choice. A spritz of lime tastes like nothing else, wakes up a drink like nothing else, disarmingly confuses my palette like nothing else (Is it sweet or sour?). A lime in my hand feels like nothing else. A lime splits open to a knife and garnishes a plate like nothing else.

Loving the lime-ness in a lime is no small thing.