Black Lime: What Dried Lime Is and How to Cook with It
Learn what dried black lime tastes like and how to use whole or ground loomi in cooking.
Black lime is a dried whole lime used to add sour, earthy citrus flavor to food. It is also known as loomi or limoo amani, among other regional names, and appears in Persian, Iraqi and Gulf cooking. The hard, dark fruit looks rather different from a fresh lime—and it brings a different flavor to the pot.
You can buy dried limes whole or ground. Their color ranges from lighter brown to very dark; a recipe may specify the kind it prefers.
What does black lime taste like?
It is tart and citrusy, with a deeper, more earthy character than fresh lime juice. In a slow-cooked dish, it adds sourness as well as a savory, dried-fruit complexity. Ground lime distributes that flavor throughout a dish; a whole lime infuses it gradually.
How do you use a whole dried lime?
For a stew or soup, many recipes call for piercing the hard lime before adding it so liquid can enter. Use a sturdy skewer carefully and follow your recipe; the fruit can be brittle. Simmer it with the other ingredients and taste the sauce as it cooks.
Some cooks remove the lime before serving, while others break it open and use its softened interior. Seeds and pith can contribute bitterness, so a recipe may ask you to remove them. If you are new to black lime, follow a tested recipe for the amount and timing rather than crushing several straight into the pot.
What is ground black lime used for?
Ground dried lime can season rice, marinades and grilled foods. Because it is dispersed through the dish, add a little at a time and taste. Check whether a blend includes salt or other spices before using it as if it were pure ground lime.
Can fresh lime replace it?
Fresh lime juice can provide acidity when the dried fruit is unavailable, but it lacks the dried lime's earthy depth. Add a little toward the end and taste; it is an adaptation, not a flavor match. Zest can add citrus aroma if appropriate for the dish, but won't reproduce the whole dried fruit either.
Where do you find it and how do you store it?
Look in Middle Eastern or Persian grocers under black lime, dried lime, loomi or limoo amani. Keep whole or ground dried lime tightly sealed in a cool, dry cupboard. Choose food-grade dried lime; a decorative dried citrus fruit is not a substitute.