Fruits
Tahitian Lime in gelato
Tahitian (Persian) lime juice is a highly acidic, low-sugar citrus juice (Citrus latifolia) used mainly in sorbets and citrus gelato to add bright, tart aromatics rather than sweetness or body.
Balancing parameters
Per 100 g of product, verified against independent food-science sources (listed below).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solids | 8.5% |
| Water | 91.5% |
| Sugars | 1.7% |
| Fat | 0% |
| MSNF | 0% |
| Protein | 0.4% |
| POD (sweetening power) | 1.9 |
| PAC (anti-freezing power) | 2.8 |
Typical use: Roughly 8-18% of the mix in a lime sorbet; 3-8% as a flavor accent in creamier bases.
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Open the balancerHow to use it in gelato
Lime juice contributes almost no fat, protein, or milk solids, so its role is flavor and acidity, not structure. Its sugars are low (~1.7g/100g), so it adds little POD or sugar-based PAC; balance sweetness and solids with added sugars. Its high citric acid (~6%) does lower the freezing point in practice and can slightly soften a sorbet, so avoid overloading juice. Use it in white/sorbet bases where acidity is wanted; pair the juice with zest or oil for aroma. Because pH is ~2.8, add juice after pasteurizing dairy bases to avoid curdling.
Origin & background
Tahitian lime is the same fruit as the Persian or Bearss lime, the seedless triploid Citrus latifolia. It reached California via Tahiti in the 1870s, and Brazil is now the world's largest producer, where the cultivar is known simply as 'Tahiti' lime (Citrus latifolia Tahiti).
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central, Lime juice, raw (FDC ID 168156) — via https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Lime_juice%2C_raw_nutritional_value.html
- Duarte et al., 'Nutritional value of organic acid lime juice (Citrus latifolia T.), cv. Tahiti', Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos — http://www.scielo.br/j/cta/a/vFYfmC6KN73bTnDw4CsCdsc/?lang=en
- USDA FoodData Central portal — https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/
- myfooddata Lime Juice nutrition (USDA 168156) — https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-facts/168156/wt1