Limes can have seeds, but the most common variety found in stores, particularly in the United States, is the seedless Persian lime. Persian limes are a hybrid of lime and citron and are known as parthenocarpic limes, which means they do not produce seeds. This makes them more convenient for consumers and popular in the market.

However, true limes, such as those sold in Mexico, do have seeds in them. These limes are different from the seedless Persian limes commonly found in the United States. So, while some limes are seedless due to their natural characteristics or selective breeding, other varieties of limes do contain seeds.

Featured Answers

Both lemons and true limes do have seeds. The limes sold in the USA are usually Persian limes, which is a special variety known as parthenocarpic limes which do not have seeds. They are a hybrid of a lime and a citron. True limes, such as those sold in Mexico, do have seeds in them.

Answered from Brad

Limes do not have seeds because they can't produce them, which means they are essentially sterile. Science has aided in the development of different limes that do not produce seeds, but most seedless limes found in stores just naturally lack seeds.

Answered from fridge

Why Do Lemons Have Seeds And Limes Don't?

As a citrus lover and avid home cook, I often find myself squeezing lemons and limes into my recipes for their bright, fresh flavor. But when prepping them, I noticed that lemons inevitably contain seeds while limes rarely do.

What causes this key difference between the two fruit? Are there certain lime varieties that produce seeds after all? This complete FAQ guide covers all the details on lemon and lime seeds, from their origins to practical impacts on cooking and nutrition. Read on for the full scoop!

Table of Contents

• Do limes normally have seeds?
• What types of limes contain seeds?
• Why are Persian limes usually seedless?
• How did seedless Persian limes originate?
• Do any seedless lime varieties exist?
• Do seedless limes ever have any seeds?
• What do lime seeds look like?
• Are lime seeds safe to eat?
• Do lemon seeds offer any benefits when consumed?
• How do seeds affect lime and lemon flavor?
• Does seedlessness impact lime and lemon nutrition?
• Should I avoid getting seeds in lime juice?
• How can I easily juice limes and lemons without seeds?
• Can I grow a lime tree from seeds?
• Why do most citrus have seeds while some are seedless?

Do limes normally have seeds?

Limes actually can and often do contain seeds. However, the common Persian or Tahiti limes found in supermarkets are largely seedless. Other lime varieties like key limes still contain numerous seeds. So lime seedlessness depends on the specific cultivar.

What types of limes contain seeds?

Some examples of limes with seeds:

• Key limes – Tiny, seed-filled limes often used for pie filling and other desserts.
• Kaffir limes – Bumpy, aromatic limes from Southeast Asia containing seeds. Used for zest.
• Wild limes – Small wild limes native to Southeast Asia. Contain many seeds.
• Australian dessert limes – Finger limes with edible juice vesicles and seeds.
• Spanish limes – Round citrus fruit with acidic yellow pulp and seeds.

So in summary, smaller wild and specialty lime varieties tend to be seeded. The common large Persian limes lack seeds.

Why are Persian limes usually seedless?

Persian limes are essentially sterile hybrids that cannot reproduce via seeds. Through selective breeding, Persian limes were crossed with citrons to produce desirable seedless fruit. The seeds have gradually diminished over decades of hybridization. So commercial Persian limes are largely seedless by agricultural design.

How did seedless Persian limes originate?

Persian limes originated in the early 1900s as a citrus hybrid in Florida. A lime variety was likely crossed with a citron to produce sterile, seedless offspring. These seedless Persian limes were commercially favorable and spread into mainstream production. The hybrid sterile nature prevents seeds from forming.

Do any seedless lime varieties exist?

The most common supermarket lime – the Persian – is nearly always seedless. Certain other lime hybrids have also been bred to minimize seeds, including:

• Tahitian limes – Essentially the same fruit as seedless Persian limes with slightly thicker skin.
• Bearss limes – A California-bred Persian and lemon hybrid that is nearly seedless.
• Eureka or Mexican limes – Thin-skinned hybrids derived from Persian limes, usually seedless.

So Persian-citron crosses dominate commercial seedless lime production thanks to their sterile hybrid vigor.

Do seedless limes ever have any seeds?

While Persian limes are largely sterile, an occasional small seed may develop, especially toward the stem end. But seeded Persian limes are very rare – any seeds are minimal in number and size. So for all intents and purposes, Persian limes can be considered essentially seedless. Just don't be surprised if you encounter a tiny seed now and then.

What do lime seeds look like?

Lime seeds are small, ranging from about 3 to 6 mm long. Their shape is oval, rounded or partially flattened. The outer seed coat is white or pale green. The inner seed contains the lime embryo and endosperm. Overall lime seeds resemble tiny white or green specks.

Are lime seeds safe to eat?

Yes, lime seeds are perfectly safe and edible. However, they contain bitter, aromatic oils that can interfere with lime flavor. The seed coats are also mildly tough and crunchy. For these reasons, lime seeds are typically avoided, such as when juicing. But eating a few accidentally will not cause harm.

Do lemon seeds offer any benefits when consumed?

Lemon seeds provide small amounts of nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, minerals and plant compounds. However, the quantities are minimal. The outer layer and seed interior also contain aromatic oils that some find unpleasant. So while lemon seeds can be eaten, they offer no real nutrition or flavor benefit.

How do seeds affect lime and lemon flavor?

Lime and lemon seeds contribute bitterness, tartness and strong citrus oils that can throw off the fruity acidity people expect. So juice containing seeds tends to taste more bitter, sour and pungent. Seedlessness provides a purer, more balanced flavor.

Does seedlessness impact lime and lemon nutrition?

Limes and lemons with or without seeds have very similar nutritional values. The seeds and surrounding pulp contribute negligible amounts of fiber, carbs, protein and fat. So seedless versus seeded varieties are nutritionally interchangeable. The juice and fruit provide the meaningful nutrition.

Should I avoid getting seeds in lime juice?

It's best to strain seeded lime juice through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any seeds. Seeds can add bitterness and astringency. For elegant clear cocktails, seeded juice should also be strained. But for cooking, traces of seeds are acceptable since heat diminishes their impact.

How can I easily juice limes and lemons without seeds?

To easily extract seed-free lime and lemon juice:

• Roll or soften the fruit with pressure to burst the internal segments and release juice.
• Slice in half crosswise and juice using a citrus reamer or juicer, catching seeds.
• Strain completed juice through a sieve if needed to catch any stray seeds.

Can I grow a lime tree from seeds?

Lime seeds are not reliably viable if saved and planted due to issues with genetic dominance, fertility, and reproduction of key traits. Persian lime seeds in particular will not grow true to type. It’s better to plant grafted nursery stock to successfully grow a lime tree.

Why do most citrus have seeds while some are seedless?

Citrus seeds provide reproductive capabilities but not much flavor or nutrition. So commercially, seedless citrus is often desirable. Through plant breeding and crossing different varieties, certain hybrids like Persian limes and navel oranges have been developed with sterility and seedlessness. Lemon and lime ancestry plays a key role in which contain seeds versus none.

After reading this FAQ, you should now understand that classic Persian limes are unique in being seedless, thanks to their hybrid sterile origins. Other lime varieties feature seeds, and even seedless limes occasionally have a seed or two.

While harmless in small amounts, seeds tend to interfere with ideal lime flavor and juice texture. When it comes to citrus seeds versus no seeds, each has certain advantages that have shaped lime and lemon varieties over the decades.