key lime

The key lime, also known as the Mexican lime or C. × aurantifolia, is a small, aromatic lime fruit that is economically important. It is a species or hybrid within the genus Citrus. Key limes are typically oval to globular, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, with a thin, greenish-yellow peel when ripe. The pulp is tender, juicy, and yellowish-green, with a decidedly acidic taste, often exceeding lemons in both acid and sugar content.12

Key limes are a crucial ingredient in key lime pie, a dessert that originated in Key West, Florida. This pie features a graham-cracker or pastry crust filled with a custard made from egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice, often topped with whipped cream or meringue. While key lime pie is a popular Florida dessert, commercial cultivation of key limes in the Keys has declined due to hurricanes and citrus canker, leading many pies to be made with imported limes or bottled juice.3