Lime Juice - safe?!

mercedes10 · Nov 10th, 2005, 16:23

Last time I was in India there was lime juice everywhere. I had one sip - and it was delicious, but I didn't allow myself anymore as I was worried it might make me ill - someone told me they add water to it. Can anyone confirm? It certainly tasted like it had been watered down with lots of sugar added.

guerik · Nov 10th, 2005, 16:44

The limes seem to be a different fruit in India to what I think of as a lime at home, so it might just have been that.
I drink the fresh juice all the time though, just ask them before they start not to add water or sugar or salt(!) It's delicious and a nice change from plain old water or the seriously sugary sodas.

Digital Drifter · Nov 10th, 2005, 19:32

Yep. water added.

But you can tell them make it with soda(bottled obviously). It ends up being fizzy and leave you bloated for some time.

goangoangone · Nov 10th, 2005, 21:05

If I ask for lemon, they say "lime"? If I ask for lime, they say "Lemon"?

katyrafi · Nov 10th, 2005, 21:38

They call it lemon water here and I think it is one of the most delicious and refreshing drinks around - and so cheap! All the little roadside shops seem to make it and it's saved my life a few times when I've been walking too long, too far in the heat.

As DD says if you have it with soda water it may well be safer but you just can't gulp it down and quench your thirst the same. So, personally I drink it anyway and have had no ill effects but then maybe my gut is well and truly acclimatised to the local water now?

By the way Merc10, I saw your pic on the 'This is me" thread so I should recognise you without the need for a Financial Times under your arm (lovely sari!) and you can try the lemon water again if you're feeling brave!!

India Edge · Nov 10th, 2005, 22:07

I think neembu paani (fresh lime soda) is safe to drink in any half-decent cafe or restaurant. Its made with fresh lime juice, soda water or bottled mineral water and sugar syrup. I like 'em "salty-sweet"!

john.sw · Nov 11th, 2005, 00:17

"Salt lime soda" is good for replacing the body salts you have lost through perspiration.

In the evening, a Gimlet is is also rather a good idea!

GIMLET

2 oz gin
Fresh lime juice
1 lime wedge

1] Pour the gin and lime juice into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes.

2] Stir well.

3] Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the lime wedge.

4] Drink

vir · Nov 11th, 2005, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by goangoangone

If I ask for lemon, they say "lime"? If I ask for lime, they say "Lemon"?

I don't think lot of people know difference between Lime and Lemon in India. I didn't knew. To me both were 'Nimbu'. There may be a big Nimbu and small Nimbu. Hence the confusion.

I came to know later that Lime is just smaller then Lemon and may be more acidic.

john.sw · Nov 11th, 2005, 01:02

Lime is Citrus Aurantifolia and Lemon is Citrus Limon .

They are both members of the Rutaceae family.

The lime tree grows up to 4m. high and the lemon tree grows up to 6m.

Lemons are supposed to be of North Indian origin and limes are originally from Malaysia.

The confusion is common in Asia - a Thai friend of mine told me that the word for Lime in Thai is the same as the word for Lemon.

Wanderer22 · Nov 11th, 2005, 01:18

In Madurai earlier this year I had something at a juice bar called sweet lime. Don't think it was actually lime, but rather a green skin orange. Delicious by itself without ice, sugar or water. I watched as the fruit was squeezed into the glass, so felt reasonably safe. Taste was close to orange juice rather than lime. I recall the cost being 12-15 rupees for a large glass. Shot a photo at one of the better bars which was very clean.

W22

passingby · Nov 11th, 2005, 01:21

what I use to do is order a cold bottle of water with a glass, 2 spoons of sugar and a lime on the side. I then did my own lime drink. it was delicious.

GoanCanuck · Nov 11th, 2005, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderer22

In Madurai earlier this year I had something at a juice bar called sweet lime. Don't think it was actually lime, but rather a green skin orange.

What you drank is known as Mausambi juice.

freenote · Nov 11th, 2005, 02:25

my lady wife carries here own lime squeezer with her .Makes life a lot easier .
a small aluminium one .pop in half a lime ,Squeeze ,add botled soda (safer?) with a little suger to taste. Carefull with the suger!!To much and it is all over the table.One of the most refreshing drinks going (almost as good as a Kingfisher)

vir · Nov 15th, 2005, 06:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderer22

In Madurai earlier this year I had something at a juice bar called sweet lime. Don't think it was actually lime, but rather a green skin orange. Delicious by itself without ice, sugar or water. I watched as the fruit was squeezed into the glass, so felt reasonably safe. Taste was close to orange juice rather than lime. I recall the cost being 12-15 rupees for a large glass. Shot a photo at one of the better bars which was very clean.

W22

Its called Mosambi.

Nick-H · Nov 15th, 2005, 09:45

Mosambi: Mmmmm, love it!

Nov 10th, 2005, 16:23	#1
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Lime Juice - safe?! Last time I was in India there was lime juice everywhere. I had one sip - and it was delicious, but I didn't allow myself anymore as I was worried it might make me ill - someone told me they add water to it. Can anyone confirm? It certainly tasted like it had been watered down with lots of sugar added.

Nov 10th, 2005, 19:32	#3
Digital Drifter bang a whore? Bangalore Dammit! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,878	Yep. water added. But you can tell them make it with soda(bottled obviously). It ends up being fizzy and leave you bloated for some time. __________________ Click here for the Indiamike train guide in PDF

Nov 10th, 2005, 21:05	#4
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,535	If I ask for lemon, they say "lime"? If I ask for lime, they say "Lemon"? __________________ GoanGoan......here

Nov 10th, 2005, 21:38	#5
katyrafi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kerala Posts: 177	They call it lemon water here and I think it is one of the most delicious and refreshing drinks around - and so cheap! All the little roadside shops seem to make it and it's saved my life a few times when I've been walking too long, too far in the heat. As DD says if you have it with soda water it may well be safer but you just can't gulp it down and quench your thirst the same. So, personally I drink it anyway and have had no ill effects but then maybe my gut is well and truly acclimatised to the local water now? By the way Merc10, I saw your pic on the 'This is me" thread so I should recognise you without the need for a Financial Times under your arm (lovely sari!) and you can try the lemon water again if you're feeling brave!! __________________ Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly

Nov 10th, 2005, 22:07	#6
India Edge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 210	I think neembu paani (fresh lime soda) is safe to drink in any half-decent cafe or restaurant. Its made with fresh lime juice, soda water or bottled mineral water and sugar syrup. I like 'em "salty-sweet"! __________________ India pics India vids

Nov 10th, 2005, 16:44	#2
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	The limes seem to be a different fruit in India to what I think of as a lime at home, so it might just have been that. I drink the fresh juice all the time though, just ask them before they start not to add water or sugar or salt(!) It's delicious and a nice change from plain old water or the seriously sugary sodas.

Nov 11th, 2005, 00:17	#7
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	"Salt lime soda" is good for replacing the body salts you have lost through perspiration. In the evening, a Gimlet is is also rather a good idea! GIMLET 2 oz gin Fresh lime juice 1 lime wedge 1] Pour the gin and lime juice into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes. 2] Stir well. 3] Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the lime wedge. 4] Drink __________________ www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur

Nov 11th, 2005, 01:02	#9
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	Lime is Citrus Aurantifolia and Lemon is Citrus Limon . They are both members of the Rutaceae family. The lime tree grows up to 4m. high and the lemon tree grows up to 6m. Lemons are supposed to be of North Indian origin and limes are originally from Malaysia. The confusion is common in Asia - a Thai friend of mine told me that the word for Lime in Thai is the same as the word for Lemon.

Nov 11th, 2005, 01:18	#10
Wanderer22 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 462	In Madurai earlier this year I had something at a juice bar called sweet lime. Don't think it was actually lime, but rather a green skin orange. Delicious by itself without ice, sugar or water. I watched as the fruit was squeezed into the glass, so felt reasonably safe. Taste was close to orange juice rather than lime. I recall the cost being 12-15 rupees for a large glass. Shot a photo at one of the better bars which was very clean. W22 Attached Thumbnails

Nov 11th, 2005, 01:21	#11
passingby Account Closed Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 436	what I use to do is order a cold bottle of water with a glass, 2 spoons of sugar and a lime on the side. I then did my own lime drink. it was delicious.

Nov 11th, 2005, 02:25	#13
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,548	my lady wife carries here own lime squeezer with her .Makes life a lot easier . a small aluminium one .pop in half a lime ,Squeeze ,add botled soda (safer?) with a little suger to taste. Carefull with the suger!!To much and it is all over the table.One of the most refreshing drinks going (almost as good as a Kingfisher)

Nov 15th, 2005, 09:45	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Mosambi: Mmmmm, love it! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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