Chefs all over the world are falling in love with finger limes and it’s not hard to see why.
Taking the Limelight
Finger limes are a small, uniquely shaped fruit from the citrus family. They come in a wide range of colours, including green, yellow, pink and red. Beneath their thin skin, they are full of caviar-like pearls that have a tart flavour similar to lemons and limes.
Native to Australia, finger limes are becoming increasingly popular in the international food scene. Chefs everywhere are falling in love with the crisp pearls of lime ‘caviar’ and it’s perhaps unsurprising, given how versatile the fruit is. Finger limes are delicious in both savoury and sweet recipes.
To use, simply slice the fruit open and scoop out the pearls: they make a wonderful garnish for salads and seafood dishes, and you can also use them in dressings. With their fresh citrus flavour, they are also fantastic to use in sweet desserts, adding a tart element without the acidity you tend to get with lemon and lime juice.
Finger limes pair well with avocado, watermelon, ginger, fresh leafy greens, feta and goat’s cheese, and raw seafood.
They’re best stored in paper bags in the fridge for up to four weeks. Finger limes can also be frozen whole for up to 12 months–to use a frozen finger lime, simply place it on paper towel and allow to thaw for one hour at room temperature.
