My friend Lauren was visiting over the 4 th of July weekend and brought me a bag of these exotic limes. She is part of the team at Good Land Organics™ which is located in the hills of Goleta, California, two miles from the Pacific Coast. This certified organic land is called Condor Ridge Ranch, and is a unique ecosystem, unlike almost any other in the area, that allows them to grow a diversity of exotic sub-tropical crops. The soil is a rich clay loam free of chemical pesticides. The winters are mild and typically frost-free, while the mild summer days start with foggy mornings. These climate patterns contribute to their ability to grow the specialty sub-tropical fruits others cannot. Check them out at http://goodlandorganics.com
The Australian Finger lime has a wild look, much different from most citrus fruit, somewhat resembling a baby gherkin, up to 3 inches in length with a purplish or greenish black color. To find the “caviar”, just cut the lime in half and give it a gentle squeeze – the tiny beads just “ooze out as if erupting from a mini-volcano. Unlike the tender, tear-drop-shaped juice sacs in standard citrus, the translucent, greenish-white or pinkish vesicles in finger limes are round and firm, and pop on the tongue like caviar, releasing a flavor that combines lemon and lime with green and herbaceous notes.” (LA Times 12/23/09)
