L is for LIMA Y LIMON

I was anxiously waiting to write about the letter L becuase L is for limón and L is for Lima (lemons and lime) and this is a point of contingency in my marriage.

When I ask Tom to bring lemons I expect him to bring what in the US is known as lime. When you order a lemonade in Guatemala you will be getting a "limade" (in the US I have only been able to get them at Sheridan's Frozen Custard).

Lime on the other hand to me evokes a different concept, there is another citrus fruit sold in Guatemala called Lima, it has a bland flavor, not sour like lemons, not sweet like oranges. People eat it as you would an orange, or make juice out of it. Inside is pale yellow and the size is about that one of an orange. (see picture of halved lima)

The yellow lemon, on the other hand, is refered to as limon italiano, growing up I hadn't seen one until my parents took me to Italy and we got the limoncello tour in Sorrento! Nowadays you can find it in supermarkets but not very often in farmer markets.

My friend/cousin Jorge tells me his grandma used to say the lima was given to dying patients since it was of easy digestion and good for keeping patients hydrated.

Below the picture of the lemon tree in my parent's backyard. When it is 'epoca de limones' we have enough to give away to friends and to make lemon ice cubes for future use.

Posts part of the series A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.