half measure lime juice
Rich in vitamin C (approximately 30% daily value per 100ml) and antioxidants including flavonoids and limonoids; also provides small amounts of potassium and folate with minimal calories.
About
Lime juice is the acidic liquid extracted from limes (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus latifolia, and related Citrus species), small green citrus fruits native to Southeast Asia and now cultivated worldwide. The juice comprises approximately 4-6% citric acid by volume, giving it a sharp, tart flavor profile with subtle floral and herbaceous notes. Fresh lime juice appears pale yellow to light green and is distinctly more acidic than lemon juice, with a characteristic bittersweet undertone. The juice's acidity and volatile aromatic compounds make it highly perishable; it oxidizes rapidly when exposed to air and light, losing both flavor intensity and nutritional potency within hours of extraction.
Culinary Uses
Lime juice functions as a critical souring agent and flavor catalyst across numerous global cuisines, particularly Latin American, Southeast Asian, and Caribbean traditions. It is essential in cocktails (margaritas, daiquiris, mojitos), ceviches, Thai curries, Vietnamese pho, and Mexican salsas, where its acidity simultaneously preserves ingredients, brightens flavors, and denatures proteins. The juice is employed both as a finishing acid—squeezed over finished dishes—and as a marinade component, where its citric acid breaks down connective tissue in meat and seafood. In molecular gastronomy, lime juice enables spherification and foaming techniques due to its pectin content and acidity.