Black lemon - Black lemons

Black lemon ( Black Lime ) are a popular ingredient in Persian cooking as well as some Arabic regions, especially Kuwait and Iraq ( also known as Dried Lime, Loomi, Lumi, Noomi Basra, Omani, Amani and Black Lemon) is a spice used in Middle Eastern dishes. Contrary to popular belief, black lemons are not lemons at all - they are actually limes ! It is made by boiling fresh lime in salt water and sun drying until the insides turn black Black lemons are called loomi in the Middle East. In the store they are sold under the name of black lemon, dried limes, and in gourmet or ethnic grocers, as loomi. You can also buy it in ground form. Black limes are usually used in legume, seafood or meat dishes. They are pierced, peeled or crushed before adding them to the dish.If you have ever seen a black lemon, you know that they look unappealing to say the least.After cooking they become softer and edible. They can also be powdered and added to rice dishes. Powdered black lime is also used as an ingredient in Gulf-style baharat (a spice mixture which is also called kabsa or kebsa). It is a traditional ingredient of Arabic cooking and also Persian.

Completely dried Black Lemon are used in the Middle East as a souring agent in chutneys, soups and stews and even ground into flatbreads. The powder made from Black Lemon has a sweet-tart flavor that is unique and has no substitute