Dried lime facts for kids
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| Type | Dried food |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Oman, Iraq and Iran |
| Region or state | Middle East |
| Associated national cuisine | Middle Eastern cuisine |
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Dried lime is a special type of lime that has lost its water. It usually dries out in the sun. You might hear it called black lime, noomi basra in Iraq, limoo amani in Iran, or loomi in Oman. People use dried limes whole, sliced, or ground into a powder. They are a popular spice in many Middle Eastern dishes.
Dried limes first came from Oman. This is why they have names like limoo amani (meaning "Omani lime") and noomi basra (meaning "lemon from Basra"). They are a very common ingredient in cooking all over the Middle East.
How are dried limes used?
Dried limes add a sour flavor to food. This process is called "souring." In Persian cooking, they are often used to flavor stews and soups. Across the Middle East, people cook them with fish. In Iraq, dried limes are added to almost all dishes, even stuffing.
You can also use them to make a special dried lime tea. Powdered dried lime is an important part of a Middle Eastern spice mix called baharat. It is a traditional ingredient in the foods of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other countries around the Persian Gulf.
What do dried limes taste like?
Dried limes have a very strong flavor. They taste sour and citrusy, much like fresh limes. However, they also have an earthy and slightly smoky taste. Unlike fresh limes, they are not sweet at all.
Because they are preserved, dried limes also have a slightly bitter taste. This bitter flavor is mostly found in the lime's outer skin and seeds.
Dried lime tea
Dried lime tea is a type of herbal tea. It is made from dried limes and is a popular drink in Iraq. People often drink it there to help with indigestion, diarrhea, and nausea.
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