- Latin name
- Citrus aurantiifolia, Citrus latifolia
- Family
- Rue family (Rutaceae)
- Origin
- Mexico, Peru, Brazil, the West Indies
- Parts used
- fruit peel
- Raw materials
- cold-pressed essential oil; distilled lime oil
- Extraction
- cold pressing or distillation
- Olfactory group
- citrus
- Position in the pyramid
- top note
- Synthetic substitutes
- citral, limonene, lime bases
The lime is a small green citrus fruit with thin skin, a relative of the lemon. The oil is obtained from the peel in two ways — cold pressing and distillation — and they smell noticeably different.
How it smells: bright, sour, green and lively: sharper and fresher than lemon, with a tropical, mojito-like shade. Pressed oil is juicy and true to the fruit, distilled oil sweeter and “fizzy”.
In perfumery lime is a note of energy: it makes the opening sparkling and summery. Being volatile, lime does not last long, so it is often supported by mint, ginger or fresh synthetic molecules.
What it pairs with: with mint — a refreshing mojito, with ginger and pink pepper — spicy freshness, with coconut — tropical fragrances, with basil — herbal Mediterranean ones, with vetiver — a fresh woody masculine opening.
Good to know: distilled lime oil is one of the classic components of cola flavour: it gives these drinks their familiar refreshing shade.
Fragrances with Lime
