Bring the Flavor of Key West Home with the Key Lime
The key lime is a staple of the many culinary delights that originate from Key West, the most famed of which is the Key Lime Pie. The key lime is also a great ingredient for marinades and adds zest to seafood and poultry.
Originally from southeast Asia, the key lime traces its introduction through the Middle East to North Africa and on to Sicily. It was brought to the Keys and other tropical paradises via Spanish explorers. The tropical climate of the Keys provided a perfect environment for the lime to grow.
The Key Lime’s scientific name is Citrus aurantifoliabut is also known as the Mexican lime, West Indies lime, or Bartender’s lime. It is 2.5 to 5 centimeters in diameter and is yellow when ripe, but is green when commercially harvested. Today, the key lime is also grown in Texas, California, Mexico, and across Central America.
One identifying feature that separates a key lime tree from other lime trees is that they possess large thorns. The trees need as much sunlight as possible and cannot be exposed to too much cold. The soil in the Keys was perfect for this tree but over time, saltwater intrusion and flooding has caused the frequent problem of salt damage.
The Key Lime pie is one of the more delicious uses for the lime. These pies do not even require baking since the high-acidic content of the lime cooks the pie itself but it is agreed that baking the pie improves taste and texture. Many recipes only require mixing egg yolks, milk, vanilla extract, and key lime juice and then pouring into a graham cracker crust and refrigerating for four hours.
Marinades with key lime juice are also great for chicken, pork, and fish. If you have visited the Keys, you have no doubt experienced the flavor the key lime inspires. Located on or near Duval Street, blocks from the Tropical Inn Bed & Breakfast , mainstays such as Sloppy Joe’s and Hog’s Breath Saloon serve up various dishes with key lime that have been traditions for decades in “The Conch Republic”.
