15 pounds of Calcium hydroxide, traditionally called slaked lime, is a compound with the chemical formula Ca(OH)2. Slaked lime is a white powder obtained when calcium oxide CaO (called lime or quicklime) is mixed, or "slaked," with water and becomes calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2.  Lime is low toxicity and is used in many applications, including food products.

Calcium hydroxide has many names including hydrated lime, builder's lime, slack lime, cal, and pickling lime.

Calcium hydroxide is commonly known as edible lime, hydrated lime and slaked lime. Edible lime is an alkaline powder used for a multitude of purposes. Although called edible, it is not eaten by itself. It is used with certain plants and herbs, such as sacred rustica tobacco leaves, coca leaves, gambir, yopo seeds, and betel nut (areca catechu), to increase the absorption of their alkaloids into the human bloodstream via the mucous membranes. Edible lime was also traditionally used by Native Americans in processing corn kernels as a way to increase their absorption of niacin, an essential B vitamin. Additionally, edible lime is used in pickling and canning, and in the processing of various food products as well as in some beverages. Due to its extreme alkaline properties, it is also used to balance out acidic soil and can be used similarly in mycology when added to substrates.

Hydrated lime is a dry powder obtained by adding enough water to quicklime to satisfy its chemical affinity, thereby converting the oxides to hydroxides. Hydrated lime, though only slightly soluble in water, forms suspensions easily; the resulting solution and suspension is strongly alkaline, possessing a pH of 12.4