What is the difference between regular limes and Key limes?

Grocery store limes, generally speaking, are Persian limes, which are larger and tarter than their Florida cousins. Key limes are smaller and contain more seeds than Persian limes, while Persian limes have a thick, bright green skin, and Key lime skin is thin and tends to be a little on the yellow side.

What is special about key limes?

Key limes—also known as Mexican limes or West Indies limes—are small, spherical limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. They’re light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Key lime juice is prized for being tart and super-aromatic.

Where do I find Key limes?

Since the North American Free Trade Agreement came into effect, most Key limes on the United States market have been grown in Mexico, Central America and South America. They are also grown in Texas, Florida, and California. The Key lime has given rise to several other lime varieties.

Are Key limes rare?

Florida key limes, botanically classified as Citrus aurantiifolia, are rare fruits that are found on thorny, evergreen trees or shrubs, belonging to the Rutaceae or citrus family. The true Florida key limes remaining in the modern day are grown in backyard gardens and through small farms in Florida.

What do you use Key limes for?

Fresh key lime juice is preferred for flavoring marinades, making limeade, and garnishing drinks and plates due to its tantalizing bouquet and unique flavor. The juice is used for syrups and, of course, key lime pie.

Why are key limes better than regular limes?

As compared to your run-of-the-mill lime, a key lime is sure to provide an elevated sense of flavor. It’s also going to award you a taste that is less tart and more floral than any of your standard limes. When it comes to using lime in your everyday life, it’s safe to say that a key lime is well worth your time.

How many key limes equal a regular lime?

In order to figure out how much juice and zest is in a lime we used medium limes, about 1.5″ in diameter as our standard. There are about 4 limes in 1 pound. We found that on average, one lime has 2 tablespoons of lime juice in it. One lime also has 2 teaspoons of lime zest in it.

Are Key limes sweeter than regular limes?

Key limes are also known as Mexican limes or West Indian limes. Key limes are also thin-skinned and nearly spherical in shape. Green Key limes are immature fruits offering juice with higher acidity. As they ripen to a yellow hue, the juice loses its acidity and takes on a sweeter flavor.

When should I buy key limes?

Florida key limes are in season throughout the summer and into early fall. But these limes are no longer grown for commercial sale. These days, Mexican and Central American key limes are the limes that you’ll see for sale. Mexican key limes are available throughout the year.

Why is key lime pie so expensive?

These iconic limes may not have the romance of the Keys, but they have more than enough acidity to cut through recipes laden with sugar and fat. So, not only are Key limes more expensive, you have to buy twice as many and work five times as hard to get the same amount of juice.

Can you use Key limes in drinks?

When it comes to adding acidity to drinks, a select few bartenders are reaching for Key limes, rather than the standard Persian. From simple sours like the Daiquiri to lavish tiki staples like the Mai Tai, limes are an essential building block for entire categories of cocktails.

Where does the key lime fruit come from?

Key limes are native to Southeast Asia and are grown in the United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. The Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is a citrus species with an oval fruit; that is yellow when ripe but usually picked green commercially.

Which is better key lime or regular lime?

They’re light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Their skin is also very thin, which means they don’t store well. It’s best to keep them out of the fridge and use them within two days of purchasing. Key lime juice is prized for being tart and super-aromatic.

Where can you get Key limes in Florida?

Key limes are available year-round, mainly from Mexico and Central America, and in the summer you may be able to find Key limes from Florida. (Some residents of the Florida Keys and true Key lime pie aficionados will only use Key limes from the Keys.)

What’s the difference between Key lime and Persian lime?

The Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is a citrus species with an oval fruit; that is yellow when ripe but usually picked green commercially. It is smaller and more acidic, with a stronger aroma than the Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia).