Finger Lime

Finger lime

This native Australian fruit tree is an imported species to the United States. Finger limes thrive in many regions that grow citrus fruits, including Florida, California, Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana.

Are finger limes sweet or sour?

Finger limes bear a minty, citrus-forward aroma with a tangy, sweet, and slightly sour, floral, lemon-lime flavour.

What part of finger lime is edible?

The finger lime has been recently popularised as a gourmet bushfood. The globular juice vesicles (also known as pearls) have been likened to a "lime caviar", which can be used as a garnish or added to various recipes. The fresh vesicles have the effect of a burst of effervescent tangy flavour as they are chewed.

Are finger limes real limes?

Finger limes, sometimes also known as Australian finger limes or caviar limes, are a citrus fruit of the species Citrus australasica, a variety of microcitrus that are believed to have evolved over millions of years in the rainforests of Australia and New Guinea.

Does Whole foods have finger limes?

Citriburst Finger Limes are in Whole Foods Market!

Are finger limes expensive?

Full disclosure though, finger limes are the most expensive citrus fruit in the world, on average costing $108.00 per pound!

Do you peel finger limes?

Just cut in half and gently squeeze the ends and the vesicles will ooze out. Discard the skin. For the other 2 finger limes, cut in half and squeeze very gently so that only some of the vesicles comes out. Leave it as it is with the skin.

Can you eat finger lime peel?

“I use finger limes as a garnish over the top of cooked squid, and as the main ingredient in a citrus tart with finger limes and green ants. I also cook wild lime marmalade and use the whole fruit, including the skin. “You can really use finger limes in so many different ways.

How do you know if a finger lime is ripe?

Finger limes should only be harvested when they're ripe as they don't ripen any further once removed from the tree. Ripe fruit will feel firm to the touch and detach easily. With some varieties the skin will also change colour. Check around the base of the tree daily and pick up any fallen fruit.

Should finger limes be refrigerated?

Contact your local nursery to find out the best place to purchase a finger lime tree. Should I store my finger limes in the refrigerator? Yes.

How hard is it to grow finger limes?

Australian finger lime requires partial to full sun meaning at least 6 hours of direct light per day. They are hardy to zones 8-11 but can be grown in colder regions if brought inside during frost. Finger limes thrive in temperatures above 90°F during the summer and mild winters above 40°F.

Do finger limes need to be refrigerated?

While you can store citrus fruitout on the counter, it won't last nearly as long as when refrigerated. You can also store citrus fruit in a cool dark place, which is better than on the counter‚ but again, refrigeration is will significantly extend its life.

Can you grow finger limes at home?

You can grow your finger lime in the ground or in a container and they will perform well as a feature tree, hedge, or even espaliered against a fence. They will tolerate nutrient poor soil and will require around a quarter of the amount of fertiliser as regular citrus.

Why are finger limes so good?

Health Benefits Bursting with zesty flavour, Finger Limes are rich in folate, potassium and Vitamin E. Each Finger Lime contains three times the Vitamin C found in a mandarin. The level of Vitamin E is exceptionally high in the pink Finger Lime.

Do finger limes taste good?

What Do Finger Limes Taste Like? Finger limes taste citrusy, acidic, and slightly bitter with some herbaceous notes as well. The red champagne and crimson tide varieties taste the sweetest, while chartreuse finger limes taste the most bitter.

How much is a pound of finger limes?

They are sold at a premium price in the California specialty fruit markets. The U.S. domestic retail price ranges from $30 per pound for the fruit (0.35 to 0.39 ounces per fruit) to about $50 per pound for the premium fruit (more than 0.5 ounces per fruit).

What country is finger limes from?

The citrus hails from Australia, where it's also known as a caviar lime. Almost everything about the fruit is compact. In 1915 scientist Walter Swingle labeled it a “microcitrus” because of its small leaves. It grows on short, thorny trees in the rainforests along the coasts of Queensland and New South Wales.

What is the inside of a finger lime called?

The pulp (more properly called juice vesicles) of most citrus fruit looks like elongated teardrops, but finger lime's vesicles are tiny little balls—a tart, fruit “caviar” that holds its shape until the beads burst in your mouth (in case their diminutive size and wide range of colors weren't enough fun for you).

How long does it take for a finger lime tree to fruit?

Flowering and cropping. Grafted finger lime trees begin fruiting in year three but larger quantities of fruit are not normally obtained until year six, when trees are classed as 'bearing'. Seedling trees can take up to 15 years to produce fruit, depending on cultivar.

Can finger limes grow in pots?

Finger lime is one of the most popular bush tucker plants, much loved in the culinary world for its finger-like fruit with juicy, caviar-like pulp that's bursting with tangy flavour. It can be grown as a large shrub or small tree, so is perfect either in a garden bed or a pot.

11 Finger lime Images