19, 2024
Key lime pie is a summer essentialbut can you make this dessert with regular limes?
Let’s take a closer look at Key lime vs lime.
Limes are a summer staple.
Not to mention, lime can be refreshing in cocktails,limeadeand desserts!
But what if your recipe calls for Key limesand you cant find them at the grocery store?
Is it okay to use regular limes instead?
Theyre light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes.
Their skin is also very thin, which means they dont store well.
Its best to keep them out of the fridge and use them within two days of purchasing.
Key lime juice is prized for being tart and super-aromatic.
They only grow in the U.S. between June and September, though.
The limes youll find at the grocery store are called Persian limes or Tahiti limes.
These larger limes are oval-shaped, dark green and juicy.
Each lime contains two to three tablespoons of juice (compared to Key limes two to three teaspoons).
Persian limes are acidic with a tangy flavor, but they lack the floral bouquet that accompanies Key limes.
Because they have thicker skin, theyre easier to ship, so youll find them available year-round.
The Final Word
There is a slight flavor difference between Persian limes and Key limes.
But when baked into a dessert likeKey lime blondies, its hard to tell the difference.
So if you cant find Key limes, go ahead and use Persian limes.
Youll still wind up with a delicioussummer pie.
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