Fresh limes add a powerful tang and sour taste to recipes, but what is the best way to know if they’ve gone bad? You can quickly tell if limes are bad if they are soft, mushy, smell sour, or have brown or black spots or mold growth. For a longer shelf life, store them in a dry place at room temperature that has plenty of air circulation away from direct sunlight. An example would be a basket or colander on the countertop. For a longer shelf life, you can keep the whole fruit in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Or squeeze their juice out and keep a bottle of lime juice in the refrigerator for later use.
5 signs of spoilage:
- Soft spots or mushy: Soft spots or mushy citrus fruits mean they have been overexposed to humidity or other fruits. When different fruits are stored together they can absorb gases from each other making the natural process of spoiling speed up.
- Unpleasant smell: If you smell something unpleasant, you have bad limes. Discard them and grab one that has bright green shiny skin.
- Wrinkled or hard skin: If your limes develop hard or wrinkled skin, they are past their prime, because they were overexposed to dry air.
- Brown or Black sports: A black color or brown tint on this popular citrus fruit is a sign that the limes have gone past their peak in freshness. These old limes are also a sign of bringing overexposed to dry air.
- Mold: Mold is a sign of harmful bacteria growth and it’s best to discard limes immediately. Be sure to discard the fruits that were touching the moldy ones too. Mold usually starts with white spots and can turn green.
What are limes:
Limes are a beloved citrus fruit that is often used for baking, cooking, and cocktails. They grow on lime trees, are small, bright green, and have a sour acidic taste. They are a great source of Vitamin C, which can boost your immune system. They also contain antioxidants, aid digestion, and can help reduce inflammation.
When are limes in season?
The peak season for limes is June – September, this is when they will taste the best! However, you can find them from May-October.
How to pick the best store-bought limes:
When picking up limes at the grocery store, don’t toss a bag in your cart and hope for the best. Let a closer look. For the best fresh lime juice make sure you pick bright green limes with smooth skin.
Limes vs store-bought lime juice:
Homemade lime juice is a better option than store-bought lime juice to avoid unnecessary additives and preservatives. To make your own, juice a bag of lime with a hand lime juicer and store it in a sealed container or bottle. Citrus juices last longer than most fruit or vegetable juices. As long as you keep your lime juice in the refrigerator and air-tight container, it will last 2-4 weeks. Always smell it first thing before using it to ensure it’s still good.
How long do limes last and the best way to store limes for a long shelf life:
The shelf life of limes varies on proper storage. There are several storage methods, the first is to keep them in a dry place at room temperature that has plenty of air circulation away from direct sunlight or in a dark place. Filling a basket or colander with whole limes on the countertop is a great option. The limes should last 1-2 weeks like this. For a longer shelf life, keep the ripe lime in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, this will keep them for 2-4 weeks. Or squeeze the fresh juice with a hand juicer and keep a bottle of lime juice in the refrigerator for later use. A lime juice bottle will last 2-4 weeks in the refrigerator.
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