Fresh Limes

Limes are the go-to citrus when you need bright, sharp acidity and a clean, fragrant punch. Their juice is more tart and less sweet than lemon, with a distinctive floral quality that makes them essential in Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, and Indian cooking.

The most common variety in Australian supermarkets is the Tahitian lime (also called Persian lime), which is seedless and relatively mild. Australian native finger limes — with their caviar-like pearls of juice — are a unique local alternative gaining popularity in restaurants and specialty food shops.

Limes are indispensable in dressings, marinades, cocktails (think gin and tonic, margaritas, mojitos), and as a finishing squeeze over curries, soups, tacos, and grilled seafood. Lime zest adds intense citrus fragrance to baking and desserts.