Sweet lime

Citrus limetta Risso

Rutaceae

The juice of its fruits, limes, is used for the preparation of drinks, including caipirinha. The emergence of such beverages may be linked to maritime transport. In 1795, the British Navy began supplying lime and lemon juice to supplement the ration of rum that was given to sailors to fight cold in order to combat scurvy, a disease caused by lack of vitamin C that sailors suffered in their long voyages.