How to Buy and Use Finger Limes

Australian finger limes (aka citrus australasica) are a person of the silliest varieties of citrus fruit—and we imply that in the ideal way possible. They resemble quick, stubby fingers and bear the nickname “caviar limes.” Finger limes are a sort of tiny citrus fruit—a microcitrus actually—that are indigenous to Australia (specially the coastal region of Queensland and New South Wales). Their name will come from the fact that they are about the dimension and condition of a finger (they max out at about 3 inches in size), and both equally the peel and the pulp appear in a rainbow of colours. The pulp (much more properly known as juice vesicles) of most citrus fruit appears to be like like elongated teardrops, but finger lime’s vesicles are tiny tiny balls—a tart, fruit “caviar” that holds its form right until the beads burst in your mouth (in circumstance their diminutive dimension and vast variety of colors were not plenty of enjoyable for you).

Seem for finger limes at specialty grocery stores—in some elements of California, you might be able to come across finger limes at your farmers’ industry. So how do you go about deciding upon the brightest, juiciest types? Choose finger limes with brightly-coloured skin. Tiny brown patches won’t affect the flavor, but steer obvious of specimens with boring, dry, shriveled pores and skin (they are previous their prime). Like any other citrus fruit, retail store finger limes in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic for a pair of weeks. If you really do not have any luck discovering them domestically, you can constantly buy them on the web. Improved nevertheless, develop your personal with the By way of Citrus Finger Lime Tree from our shop. Just about every tree ships right from Florida and consists of apparent treatment guidance so even novice gardeners can mature wonderful finger limes (assuming that you have a vibrant, sunny spot where the plant can prosper).

Slice your finger limes in 50 %, and squeeze up from the bottom to launch the pulp—anywhere you’d use a squeeze of lime juice, experience cost-free to substitute a tiny volume of pulp. 

Garnish with Abandon

Finger limes are interesting, but how precisely can you cook with them? Do you just handle them the similar as common limes or vital limes? Form of, indeed! Top rated oysters, scallops, or sushi (any seafood really) with finger lime pulp—aka the minimal beads that resemble caviar within the lime. Treat your vegetarian mates to nigiri sushi with avocado or papaya and a flourish of finger lime pulp. Just take cocktails to the next level consider them in a finger lime mojito or an elderflower gin fizz, or even a basic gin and tonic. Their bitter flavor will be appreciated by any person who doesn’t adore a super sweet cocktail.

Elevate a Salad

Top off a fruit salad with a sprinkling of finger lime pulp—just leave out any other citrus to let the finger limes be the star of the clearly show. Or try them in a extravagant fruit pairing, with persimmons and ginger or watermelon and whipped feta. Appreciate them in a savory salad also, or switch citrus juice in a vinaigrette with finger lime pulp for a burst of flavor with just about every chunk.

Give Your Desserts Some Aptitude
Finger lime pulp can be made use of in a citrus curd or suspended in a cheesecake. Or, check out finger limes in cookies, ice product, or on prime of cream puffs.  It’s not the taste or texture that most folks will expect from a lime dessert, which tends to make it so substantially extra fun to serve to friends.

Allow us know your favored means to use finger limes (or how you’d like to consider making use of them) in the feedback!

This write-up was up-to-date in April 2022 by our editors.