Lime essential oil is found in perfumes, cosmetics, flavorings, soft drinks, toiletries and cleaning products. But not every oil brings the same thing. The way it is obtained defines its color, its aroma and the character it gives the final product.
So choosing well starts with one question: what kind of lime do you want your consumer to notice?
Distilled oil: fresh, sweet and floral
Distilled oil is obtained through distillation. The process softens the sharper citrus-lemony notes of lime and brings forward a fresh, sweet, terpene profile with fruity and floral nuances. Its color ranges from crystal clear to pale yellow.
At Citrojugo we produce it from two varieties: Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) and yuzu, our newest addition.
Cold-pressed oil: lime at its most recognizable
Cold-pressed oil is obtained by cold pressing, a process that forms an emulsion from which the oil is extracted. Depending on the fruit and the type of emulsion, the result changes:
- Type A, the aroma of freshly squeezed juice. Obtained from a juice-oil emulsion of Key lime. Amber to brown in color, with the characteristic flavor and aroma of the fruit.
- Type B, the intensity of the peel. Obtained from a water-oil emulsion of Key lime. Dark green to brown in color, with intense citrus and floral notes reminiscent of the fruit’s peel.
- Persian lime. Obtained from a water-oil emulsion of Persian or Tahiti lime.
At a glance
| Oil | Variety | Color | Aroma profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distilled | Key lime and yuzu | Crystal clear to pale yellow | Fresh, sweet and terpenic, with fruity and floral nuances |
| Cold pressed Type A | Key lime | Amber to brown | Reminiscent of fresh juice |
| Cold pressed Type B | Key lime | Dark green to brown | Reminiscent of the peel; intense citrus and floral |
| Cold pressed | Persian lime | See technical data sheet | See technical data sheet |
How to choose
- If your product calls for a soft, sweet, floral lime: distilled.
- If you want consumers to recognize the taste of freshly squeezed juice: cold pressed Type A.
- If you need the aromatic strength of the peel: cold pressed Type B.
Each oil has its own technical data sheet with full specifications.
Why Citrojugo
- More than 45 years of experience as a vertically integrated citrus company.
- Safety stock and cold storage in Japan and the United States (McAllen, Texas).
- Close collaboration with yuzu industry experts.
- Door-to-door logistics and solutions through our sister company in the United States.
Can’t find the profile you’re looking for?
If your formula needs something that isn’t in our catalog, we’ll develop it with you. Tell us what you need.