All About Loomi | Know Your Spice Dried Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)

Loomi or Sun dried lime or Noomi Basra are used to add a sour flavour to dishes.

They are made with Persian limes through a process known as souring. Lime are cooked in saltwater (brine) and then dried in the sun.

The saltwater bath helps the limes to dry out and prevents mould from forming.

The final product is a shrunken, dehydrated lime which varies in colour from brown to very dark brown.

In Iranian or Persian cuisine, Noomi Basra are a staple used to flavour marinades, stews salads & soups.

Sun dried lime or black lime may also be occasionally added to the spice blend Baharat.

Limes are native to Asia of Indo-Malayan region from ancient times, which stretches from India to Southeastern Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia..

The fruits were then believed to have been brought to North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region by Arabian traders in the 10th century.

The process of creating Black limes was originally developed in Oman, which is a country located south of Iran along the Arabian Sea.

Black limes have been a mainstay of Persian cuisine since ancient times. Bedouin women also used Loomi or Black limes to dye yarn.

• • In Saudi Arabia, Black limes are a staple ingredient in dishes such as kabsa, matazeez, jareesh, and qursan and are also used to make Loomi tea.
  • Today Black limes have seen a resurgence in popularity through the cocktail industry as well-known bartenders are creating drinks using the ground Black lime.
  • The dried sun dried lime adds a burst of tart mixed with rich, fermented undertones to create unusual flavor pairings.
  • Sun dried lime can also be used in ground form and rubbed on meats, sprinkled on beans, mixed into grain bowls, or used as a substitute for sumac.
  • Taste of loomi blends well with darker, aged spirits such as brandies and rums or fruit forward drinks such as punches and daiquiris.

Loomi / black limes / sun dried limes are extremely hard and it takes quite a bit of effort to grind them up.

To do this at home, you can wrap the sun dried limes in a towel and crush them with a hammer. Then you can grind the large pieces that are left in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle.

Or, you can poke a whole noomi basra with a fork and immerse the fruit into your dish for infusion of flavour.

When you use them whole, simply pierce the skin so liquids can pass through the black lime into your dish.

• Sun dried lime is used to flavour tagines and other stews, soups, fish, grilled meats or vegetables.
• You can use sun dried lime for flavour by putting it directly into the cooking water of rice, chickpeas or lentils.
• Black limes are used to impart a citrusy, smoky flavor with a slight tang to soups, meat dishes, rice, and stews.
• You can use them for your beverages and cocktails including Loomi tea or daiquiri.
• You can powder sun dried lime and use it to flavor cakes, pastries & sauces.

Stored whole, loomi or dried lime may last for two years.

Store loomi in a dry & airtight glass container in a dark cabinet away from the light. Store it at room temperature away from moisture.

Sumac or grated lemon zest can be used as a substitute for dried lime, however they will lack the pungent flavour. Orange or malta zest is another option.

If these two are unavailable, you can also try tamarind or amchur.

Dried limes are available in whole, crushed or powdered form. You can buy dried lime (loomi) or dried lemon (lemon omani) at most Middle Eastern/ Indian groceries or online at Amazon

• India: Loomi or Black Lime
• USA: Loomi or Dried Lime

Health Benefits of Loomi (Citrus aurantifolia) or Benefits of Dried Lime

• Health Benefits of Loomi for Heart’s Health – Contains beneficial potassium components excellent for heart muscles as it strengthens and regulates the pumping of blood. It also lowers blood pressure and reduces cholesterol.
• Health Benefits of Sun Dried Lime for Digestion – Black limes cure diarrhoea and other gastric issues. A natural cleanser for the digestive system; it relieves constipation and opens appetite.
• Health Benefits of Loomi for Immunity –Loomi boost your immune system.
• Health Benefits of Sun Dried Lime as an Antioxidant –Expels harmful bacteria, waste and other toxins out of the body by cleaning the intestine with its high percentage of vitamin C and antibacterial properties.
• Health Benefits of Loomi for Cancer –Sun dried lime’s anti-cancer properties prevent the DNA change, due to the compounds that are reported to stop cell division in numerous cancer cell lines. Loomi works as a natural antibiotic too.
• Health Benefits of Sun Dried Lime for Minerals –Loomi contains folic acid, B vitamin and amino acid, Along with traces of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, which aids in producing new cells formation.
• Health Benefits of Loomi for Bone Health –  Black lime is a warehouse of Vitamin D. It helps in increasing physical movement, prevents osteoporosis, strengthens the bones, muscles and teeth.
• Health Benefits of Sun Dried Lime for Diabetes –Pectin and other compounds in sun dried lime peel have the ability to reduce your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Loomi may also be able to improve insulin sensitivity, which is a major factor in diabetes.

Like most spices, sun dried lime are good for you. While some of its nutrients may be removed during the drying process, others remain and may even be concentrated by desiccation.