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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Key limes are small in size, averaging 3-5 centimeters in diameter, and are round to somewhat elliptical in shape with a short neck on one end. The thin rind is smooth with a leathery texture, bears many small pores that are visible across the skin, and transforms from green to dark green with pale yellow blush when mature. The rind is also full of volatile oils, which can be released by zesting or scratching the surface and is aromatic with floral notes. Underneath the rind, the yellow-green flesh is juicy, fine-grained, soft, filled with inedible seeds, and is divided into 10-12 segments by thin membranes. Key limes have a tart, very acidic taste with floral, herbal notes and some bitter undertones.
Seasons/Availability
Key limes are available year-round, with a peak season from the late summer to early winter.
Current Facts
Key limes, botanically classified as Citrus aurantiifolia, are small fruits found on thorny, evergreen trees that can grow up to three meters in height and belong to the Rutaceae or citrus family. Also known as the Mexican lime, West Indian lime, and Bartender’s Lime, depending on the region the fruit is grown in, Key limes grow in tropical to subtropical climates and are valued by chefs and home cooks for their tart juice and aromatic zest for both sweet and savory culinary applications.
Nutritional Value
Key limes are a great source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium, and contain zinc, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. The essential oils found in the rind of Key limes, containing over sixty different volatile compounds, also provide antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and antioxidant properties.
Applications
Key limes are best suited for fresh applications, and both the juice and zest are utilized in sweet and savory preparations. The limes add a tart flavor to numerous beverages such as limeade, fruit punch, and cocktails, and can be incorporated into jams, marinades, syrups, sauces, and marmalades. Key limes are also popularly used in desserts such as Key lime pie, cakes, sorbet, sherbet, and ice cream, and can be used in savory dishes including salads, tacos, ceviche, Thai coconut chicken soup, pickled and fried as an appetizer, or garnished over grilled fish such as salmon. Key limes pair well with meats such as fish, poultry, pork, and beef, rice, quinoa, cilantro, bell pepper, green onions, garlic, onions, and tomatoes. The limes will keep up to two weeks when stored in a cool and dry place. The juice will keep for 2-3 months when stored in the freezer.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the United States, Key limes are most well-known for their use in Key lime pie which was created in the 1850s after condensed milk was invented for commercial use. In Central America, Key limes are known as Mexican limes are used in savory dishes such as sopa de lima, which is a chicken soup with vegetables, and in liquors, cocktails, and pastries in Mexico. In addition to culinary applications, the lime juice has been used to dye leather in the Caribbean, while the powdered dried peel is used to clean metal in India.
Geography/History
Limes are native to Asia in an area described as the Indo-Malayan region, which stretches from India to Southeastern Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and have been growing since ancient times. Key limes were then believed to have been brought to North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region by Arabian traders in the 10th century and to the Western Mediterranean region by crusaders during the 11th and 12th centuries. On his second trip to the New World in 1493, Christopher Columbus introduced the fruits and the seeds to the West Indies where they were planted throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida. By 1883, Key limes were being grown commercially in Florida until a hurricane in the 1920s destroyed the majority of the crop. Today, Key or Mexican limes are predominately grown in Mexico and Central America and can also be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers in the United States, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Enclave | Carlsbad CA | 808-554-4219 |
| Hoover High School | San Diego CA | 619-549-3364 |
| Bagby Beer Company | Oceanside CA | 760-505-3445 |
| Dark Horse Coffee Roaster | San Diego CA | 808-647-4494 |
| Madison High School | San Diego CA | 858-496-8410 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Legoland Castle | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-5601 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Mexican Key Limes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Mexican Key Limes using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Del Sol
Near Yuma, Arizona, United StatesAbout 76 days ago, 1/21/20 
Fry's Food Store
Near Yuma, Arizona, United StatesAbout 76 days ago, 1/21/20 
Food City
Food City - Southern Ave
Limassol, Cyprus4727 E Southern Ave Phoenix AZ 85042 602-438-4647 http://www.myfoodcity.com About 78 days ago, 1/19/20 
El Super
El Super - E Southern Ave
Near Mesa, Arizona, United States1251 E Southern Ave Mesa AZ 85204 480-868-2484 http://www.elsupermarkets.com About 90 days ago, 1/07/20 
El Rancho Market
El Rancho Market - 19th Ave
Near Glendale, Arizona, United States8901 N 19th Ave Phoenix AZ 85021 602-870-3600 About 91 days ago, 1/06/20 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 145 days ago, 11/13/19 
Buford Highway Farmers Market
Buford HWY Farmers Market
Near Doraville, Georgia, United States5600 Buford HWY NE Doraville GA 30340 770-455-0770 About 226 days ago, 8/24/19 Sharer's comments : Key limes at Buford Farmers Market 
H-Mart
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 255 days ago, 7/26/19 
Baja Ranch Market
Baja Ranch Market
Near Altadena, California, United States2515 N Fair Oaks Drive Altadena CA 91001 626-204-0171 About 283 days ago, 6/28/19 
Buy Low Market
Buy Low Market - State College Blvd
Near Anaheim, California, United States1086 N State College Blvd. Anaheim CA 92806 714-991-9839 About 289 days ago, 6/22/19 Sharer's comments : Looks like the one I grew up with in Florida. 
Crown Valley Marketplace (Persian Market)
Crown Valley Market
Near Ladera Ranch, California, United States2771 Center Dr. Mission Viejo CA 92692 949-340-1010 About 290 days ago, 6/21/19 
Windmill Farms
Near La Mesa, California, United StatesAbout 322 days ago, 5/20/19 Sharer's comments : 1 to 1 1/2 inch little, tangy, key limes. 
Mar Vista Farmers Market
Steve Murray Jr.
Near Venice, California, United StatesBakersfield, 93307 661-330-0100 About 442 days ago, 1/20/19 Sharer's comments : Mexican Key Limes spotted at Mar Vista Farmers Market. 
Redland Market Square Farmers Market
Redland Market Village
Near Princeton, Florida, United States24420 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead 33032 1-305-257-4335 About 442 days ago, 1/20/19 Sharer's comments : Mexican Key Limes spotted at Redland Market Square Farmers Market. 
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand & Farm
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand
Near Florida City, Florida, United States19200 SW 344th St , Homestead 33034 305-246-1592 About 442 days ago, 1/20/19 Sharer's comments : Mexican Key Limes spotted at Robert Is Here Fruit Stand & Farm. 
Yellow Green Farmers Market
Yellow Green Farmers Market
Near Hollywood, Florida, United States1940 N 30th Rd, Hollywood 33021 877-523-8665 About 443 days ago, 1/19/19 Sharer's comments : Mexican Key Limes spotted at Yellow Green Farmers Market. 
Little Italy Mercato
Bob Polito Family Farms
Near San Diego, California, United States1-760-749-1636 About 471 days ago, 12/22/18 Sharer's comments : Mexican Key Limes spotted at Little Italy Mercato. LIME Near Rancho Cordova, California, United States About 489 days ago, 12/04/18 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 489 days ago, 12/04/18 Sharer's comments : Mexican Key Limes spotted at Specialty Produce. Asian Food Center Near Shoreline, Washington, United States About 707 days ago, 4/30/18 Sharer's comments : Mexican Key Limes spotted at Asian Food Center. |
