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The Truth About Key Limes
These little round fruits, made famous by Key Lime Pie, are a culinary gem known for their tart, intense flavor, and high acidity, setting them apart from regular limes. What color is a key lime? They are mostly yellow when ripe, not as green as a lime. While they produce less juice due to their smaller size, their vibrant taste gives a unique flavor to a variety of dishes.
- Marinades: Their acidity tenderizes meats while infusing citrus flavor.
- Cocktails: Think margaritas and mojitos with an extra zing.
- Key Lime Pie: Florida’s previous official dessert, where the juice’s tartness balances the sweetness of condensed milk and graham cracker crust. The controversial new official dessert is Strawberry Shortcake!
Contents
Key Lime Pie Recipe
Citrus in South Florida
When I was growing up in South Florida, we had two key lime trees in our backyard. The limes were as big as lemons but rounder and yellow when ripe —not the green ones you typically see in stores today.
Our trees produced so much fruit that my mom set out to find the perfect pie recipe. It was a painful exercise, but now, I’ve cracked the code and perfected my go-to recipe.
Finding key limes has become more challenging since Florida was devastated by citrus canker in 2000. While most now come from Mexico, I’ve discovered that my local grocery store’s offerings are often better than what you’ll find online. The journey to sourcing the perfect limes may take a little effort, but trust me—it’s worth it!
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The Lime Juice Test
We recently conducted a blind test to compare the juice made from concentrate [sorry Nellie & Joe], freshly squeezed key limes, and green limes. Joe and Jamie were my brave testers, and both immediately knew the concentrate wasn’t fresh – it lacked natural flavor and had a chemical taste. Suprisingly, they found the green lime juice smoother and more enjoyable on it’s own.
But when it comes to making Key Lime Pie, tartness is the key. So, if you are planning to bake this coastal favorite, stick with the OG: freshly squeezed key lime juice. It’s the best way to capture that authentic, zesty flavor!
The Juicing
Key limes might be small, but their tart and aromatic juice is worth the effort! Squeezing 6 pounds of these tiny citrus fruits can indeed feel like a marathon, so kudos to Joseph for stepping up as the MVP of the juice-squeezing squad! Managing to extract three cups of juice in one hour is quite the feat, showcasing the intensity of flavor packed into those small fruits. We had extra to freeze!
For anyone attempting this task, an electric citrus juicer is a game-changer. At just around $20, it’s a worthwhile investment for efficiency and to save your hands from exhaustion. Whether you’re making pie, margaritas, or marinades, this fresh juice will elevate your recipes.
Equipment and Supplies
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You need an electric juicer for limes. It takes too many to do by hand.
A good chef’s knife and a large cutting board are essential. I have a custom board that matches my countertop; it’s 14″ x 28″ x 2″.
I like to use these disposable deli containers for freezer storage and mark them with colored masking tape and a sharpie.
I bought 5 lbs from Melissa and had a good experience, but finding them locally is better.
