I found these cute little things at the Powerhouse Markets. They are grown near Brisbane. I have never seen them before and just had to try them. I actually forgot about them, so they are not as green as they were when I bought them, but they still tasted great.
finger limes
They are called finger limes because they are about the size of a finger – mine anyway.
finger and finger lime
When you cut them and squeeze them, little delicious, lime flavoured balls come out. When you put them in your mouth they sort of pop with fresh lime flavour. They are great in salads. I know, I tried them.
cut in half
tiny lime flavoured balls explode in your mouth
Keep an eye out for them. Does anyone know where they come from?
heheh funny!
By: Avin Rostami on January 26, 2011
at 8:37 am
Wow Deb. Never heard of these little beauties: I wont be able to try them until I get to Australia! I sell desert limes from Australiss and they are very nice with ice cream.
By: Moira Drexler on January 26, 2011
at 8:43 am
So weird. The inside looks a bit like the seeds of pomegranate…only pale yellow. How curious. Ugly little suckers aren’t they?
By: The Daily Cure on January 26, 2011
at 10:40 am
I’ve only seen them when visiting my mother-in-law up on the Sunshine Coast. The person selling them at a market in Buderim said they are a subtropical Queensland native. They are a real burst of flavour. Enjoy them for us!
By: mltucker on January 26, 2011
at 10:55 am
Yes!! I first had them at a dinner Christine Mansfield cooked here in Sydney about 5 years ago, and we get them regularly at our local farmer’s market. They are great with fish, raw and cooked, and in cold soups and smoked trout ice cream. I believe they are an Autralian native fruit, but could just be being partial…. 😉
By: Deb @ thirtyminutes on January 26, 2011
at 11:32 am
Never saw them before!
By: Fragolina on January 26, 2011
at 1:53 pm
Interesting! They look a bit like mutant sausages 🙂
By: Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on January 26, 2011
at 1:53 pm
Is that the finger lime or my finger?
By: bagnidilucca on January 27, 2011
at 6:05 am
Yes for me too! I only discovered these little fellas last weekend at the farmers markets. They are funny little things aren’t they. I love the way the little bubbles of flavour burst in your mouth.
The lady selling them said they were a native…
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on January 26, 2011
at 10:33 pm
I’m fairly certain finger limes grow as far south as Northern New South Wales. I love them when I can get them. They’re great for a little burst of lime in all sorts of things savoury and sweet, I imagine a few little lime ‘bombs’ would be nice in icing for a citrus cake. I’m not sure, but I think they might be native to Australia. Oh, and Joanna, we Aussies also have a sausage tree! … come to think of it we have a bottle tree too, good place Aus, eh?
By: Jan on January 26, 2011
at 11:18 pm
The grafted ones grow fine south of perth and even Melbourne. The seedlings are useless in Perth though i have some nearly 1.5 years old that aren’t even 2 inches – must need the subtropical minimums- northern nsw must be the limit like you say.
By: fingerlimeswa on July 31, 2016
at 10:31 am
Wow., I’ll be keeping my eye out for these at the markets, they sound wonderful for salads. My mind is racing with ideas I could use these little guys in. Thanks for sharing Deb 🙂
By: Anna Johnston on January 27, 2011
at 2:13 am
Hey Ma, good find. Reckon these might make for an interesting Mojito…
By: Brando on January 27, 2011
at 3:34 am
I think you could be right. You should look for them – so delicious.
By: bagnidilucca on January 27, 2011
at 6:24 am
How odd – they look like sausages! I wonder if we can get these down south…
By: Journey Photographic on January 27, 2011
at 1:16 pm
I have been told that they are Australian natives. I had them served as a lime ‘caviar’ on top of some oysters and a few other times in a similar way with seafood. I love that burst of citrus…yum!
By: spiceandmore on January 29, 2011
at 6:39 am
What a great idea! They would be excellent on oysters.
By: bagnidilucca on January 29, 2011
at 7:01 am
It is unbelievable how much I learn stuff from your blog Debra. never saw or heard of this lime, must taste incredibly tasty!!!
By: mirellamccracken on February 9, 2011
at 6:05 pm
Fingerlimes are native to the rainforests of northern NSW and South-East Qld, and in recent years have been grown commercially. See Wild Fingerlimes web site for more info!!
By: Jill Beadle on February 10, 2011
at 12:30 pm
Thanks for that, I will check it out. They are delicious little things.
By: bagnidilucca on February 10, 2011
at 2:14 pm
[…] Thanks to my tour guide SJ. PPS. Want to see more about the finger limes, check out Bagni di Lucca and Wild Finger Limes – citrus caviar. […]
By: Brisbane City markets « The Other Column on February 26, 2011
at 7:22 am