Where to find finger limes

A traditional food of Aboriginal Australians, finger limes were popularized as bush tucker, native foraged food exotic to paying urban palates. Demand for the mesmerizing citrus rose and commercial cultivation began to supply a growing international market. Californian farmers began selling finger limes in the late oughts, and the eccentric citrus took off here in the U.

Dozens of different cultivars mean that finger limes vary in size and color, revealing beads of deep rose, pale pink, pearl, or vivid green. The texture of their round vesicles is firmer than actual caviar, with a pleasing pop as you bite down on them. Finger lime flavor is sour, citrus-y, and slightly bitter; they taste like crushed lemon leaves smell. Cut a finger lime in half and squeeze, working all those tiny beads out.

Drop a spoonful atop salmon caviar on a bagel or blini , layer finger lime in sushi rolls, scatter them across just-cooked fish fillets, stir them into mayonnaise , balance them on sweet lemon tarts or crunchy meringue, and shake them into drinks. Their heritage means that finger limes make very good houseplants , requiring less direct sun than the six-plus hours that many citrus trees demand.

While trees in full sun will produce the most fruit, you can easily grow a potted finger lime on a bright windowsill or terrace, or in dappled sun. Because commercially-grown trees are often grafted onto dwarf rootstock, they are well-suited to pots; even a petite tree will make a finger lime crop once it's mature enough.

These low-maintenance citrus are also relatively disease-resistant—just another reason to grow your own. Finger limes are frost-tender so outdoor trees should come inside once overnight temperatures dip regularly beneath 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, in south-east Asian cuisine. Finger limes can also be pickled or made into marmalade. Method : Cut the salmon into finger-size lengths.

Skewer the salmon length ways so you end up with long salmon kebabs. Mix lemon and Australian Native Finger limes juice and pulp, mirin, rice wine vinegar , sea salt , pepper and lemongrass in a bowl. Place salmon skewers in a shallow dish and pour liquid over the kebabs. Refrigerate for 5 minutes. Serve on a bed of rocket with a little soy sauce drizzled over the top , and finish with picked coriander This method of cookery is French and requires the acid in the citrus to slowly cook the fish.

Skip to content Important note about plant availability. There are hundreds of factsheets on our website provided for your information. Not all plants will be available at all times throughout the year. To confirm availability please call 03 and ask for the nursery. Position Find a spot that has some protection from hot afternoon sun which can burn the fruit Fruiting The development period from flowering to harvest is around 5 months.

Fertilising Finger limes require a lot less fertiliser than other citrus, possibly due to smaller leaves and reduced canopy. Pruning Avoid pruning in hot weather as the exposure to the sun may burn the fruit. Mixologists have also discovered this exciting fruit, spicing up mojitos or other gin drinks with a dash of the pearls.

Finger limes have three times the amount of vitamin C found in mandarin oranges. They are also a good source of vitamin E, folic acid and potassium. How to grow: Commercial finger limes are grown on grafted stock. The grafted wood is usually taken from a mature tree, allowing the finger lime plants to mature and fruit more quickly and to better withstand climatic conditions. Like all citrus, finger limes prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Mulch in spring and make sure the soil is kept moist in summer.

Fertilize with citrus food every two months. Plant trees in full or partial sun in coastal areas, and in partial sun inland. USDA Zones 10 and 11, which means plants need to be protected from a freeze.

Two excellent websites on growing finger limes can be found at Sustainable Gardening Australia www. Most Popular.