Re: [CH] Key Lime
Brent Thompson (brent@hplbct.hpl.hp.com)
Mon, 19 Oct 1998 08:51:25 -0700
> What is a key lime?
"Key lime" is the most common name in USA (and also Caribbean??) for the
small lime also known as Mexican lime or Bartender's lime; it is usually
about 1" diameter and usually very seedy. For those who care, the plant
bearing this fruit is very tender to frost (and also very thorny even by
Citrus standards, though a thornless variety exists which unfortunately is
also much less productive).
A different fruit is the larger lime known as Bearss lime or Persian lime,
which is seedless and usually about 1.5-1.75" diameter, and is borne by a
tree considerably more tolerant of winter's frost. This is the lime most
common in California markets, since it is grown here, whereas the
Key/Mexican lime is imported, occasionally.
Bearss limes taste good, but Key lime is the best lime, IMHO.
--- Brent