While I do fancy myself someone who knows about most food related things, I had to leave a few blank. (GASP!)
I did suspect these adorable fruits were a citrus of some sort, but wasn't sure enough to write it down. Once learning they were limes, I wasn't too surprised.
What did surprise and totally delight me was what was going on inside.
What's beneath the thin, greenish-pinkish-yellowish skin is delicious, beautiful and super interesting. Essentially, they're a lime with little balls inside. Balls of juice!
What are Finger Limes or Citrus Caviar?
- These little finger-shaped limes vary in color -- depending on their variety, from various shades of green and yellow, to reddish-green, purple and pink.
- Finger limes are a micro-citrus (a few inches long at most), and the flavor of these treasures is somewhere between a lime and a grapefruit.
- They're filled with hundreds of tiny balls of juice -- edible bubbles, if you will. These "bubbles" literally pop between your teeth. Now I get why people call them Citrus Caviar.
- Native to the rainforest regions of Australia, they're typically in season from September through January. They can be stored for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator and about a week on the counter.
How to Use Them
These beautiful, unique limes are especially popular among mixologists, as they are a big hit in cocktails.
However, they are also fabulous when paired with a variety of other foods, too. My favorite way to enjoy them has been with sliced avocados.
And they are absolutely stunning!
They are also delicious in salads and on ice cream.
Check out this Papaya-Avocado Salad with Cactus Pear-Lemon Vinaigrette . . . .
In addition to being called Citrus Caviar, others refer to them as Citrus Pearls or Citrus Pop Rocks.
I call them an incredibly unique and delicious treat!
Where to Buy Finger Limes
You will likely find Finger Limes at Whole Foods and Bristol Farms, and if you're in Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Farmer's Market should have them too.
Otherwise, you can in get more information here.
Here a couple delicious recipes with them:
Finger Lime Mojito Cheesecake Trifle
Finger Lime and Elderflower Gin Fizz
This is not a sponsored post -- I am simply enamored with this cool item!
Kalyn
Very interesting; thanks for sharing!
Deb
Oh my! Thank you for the introduction! As a lover of all thing citrus I will be looking for Finger Limes.
valentina
Deb, I hope you get your hands on some of these -- they're a real treat. 🙂
Christy @ My Invisible Crown
I LOVE finger limes. They're absolutely the cutest and most fun little fruit I've encountered in a long time...maybe ever. Thanks so much for sharing my recipe and site with you readers! Everyone needs a good finger lime recipe in case they ever get the chance to grab a few.
valentina
Christy -- your recipe for the trifle looks amazing. I had to share! 🙂 Happy New Year!
Gerry @ Foodness
Very cool! They do remind me of caviar 🙂
valentina
These are fun, Gerry -- I bet you'd find a way to work them into some delicious sweets! xo
Nancy Rose Eisman
Your photos are gorgeous, as always! Thanks too for sharing the great links.
valentina
Nancy, thank you so much and a very happy new year to you! xo
Aimee
These look so cool and interesting and I want to try one in a cocktail right now! Any chance you know where they're on a mixologist menu? Otherwise I'll be forced to try to make one of my own. 🙂
Jessi
Very informative post! I learn something new everyday. Love your blog!
valentina
Thanks, Jessi! 🙂
Bergiegirl
I have planted 100 FL trees in North San Diego County for commercial use. What type of avocado have you paired the finger lime with? Reed?
valentina
I think it was a Hass. How luck to have so many FL trees! 🙂
dicksey
Where did you buy your trees?
valentina
I wish I had a tree, but I don't.
doug
Hello Valentina, Where can I purchase one finger lime plant? Will the plant grow in southern california, Gardena, CA?
valentina
Hi Doug, I'm looking into this . . . I'll email you or comment back here as soon as I get an answer. 🙂
valentina
Doug, I'll email this as well, but am posting here as I think it's useful information for any readers interested in finger limes. And thank you for the great question!
Below is the best answer I got, from the Australian Finger Lime Co.
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If other citrus can grow in CA, then finger limes will grow. Seeds are no good as it takes 10 years or so to grow a tree to produce fruits and the trees grown could be any type of finger lime; a good chance not a good one. Grafted trees can’t export as there are strict quarantine protocols that need to be in place between countries to allow the movement of plant material. Each plant type may have a different set of rules to allow importing. They need these bio-security measures and rules so one country doesn’t give another country plant viruses or diseases.
Cathy
I adore these cute little fruits. They brighten up anything they accompany.
valentina
me too! and I love the way they "pop." 🙂