| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 3-5 Days | 3-5 Weeks | 2-3 Months |
| Cut | - | 3-5 Days | 2-3 Months |
Shelf Life of Limes:
Naturally-occurring fruits that grow on trees don’t usually have a longer shelf life. If they are stored properly, they may last a bit longer, though. Limes, just like any other fruit, don’t have a fixed best-before date. When you buy limes, they usually come with a date by which to use the fruit, but that is because it’s compulsory to sell items which have a date to expire. The shelf life of limes depends on the type of limes; if they are freshly picked limes, then they will easily last for up to 2-3 weeks without any sort of packaging or refrigeration. If you put limes in the fridge, they can last for months, because they are safe, as a better environment is maintained.
Purchasing Limes:
It is important that you look out for the type of limes you are about to buy. Always make sure that you buy the ones that don’t only look good and fresh, but also have a strong smell. Smell the fruit before you buy them; this will give you the true essence of the fruit and will help you buy better limes.
Make sure you buy limes from the markets that are outside. Buying limes that are already refrigerated really don’t work out best for a longer time. That only costs you more money over time, and you will see a lot of rotten limes at home if you keep them out of the refrigerator.
Storing Limes:
Limes are the sort of fruit that you cannot judge if they are rotten from the outside. Thus, you need to store them properly in a good dry place.
You cannot store them outside where there is a lot of sun exposure, as they will dry out and no juice will be left. Make sure to keep them in a dry, open place. If they are kept in bags or jars, they are no good.
You can easily put limes in the fridge if you need to use them for later on. If you cut limes and then store them, they may dry out and start decaying. After cutting the fruit, put them in a tight plastic bag or an airtight container, and store them in the fridge. They may survive for three to four days.
How to Handle Limes:
It is always important to handle food items properly. Limes are fruits that don’t necessarily need proper handling, as they have skin on the top, which keeps the inner part of the lime safe.
Once you are ready to put it in your dish, make sure you wash it well and then cut it into pieces. Always take out the lime seeds so that they don’t bother you while eating, as they have a bitter taste. For frozen limes, it is always important to take them out and let them defrost before cooking with them.
Cooking with Limes:
Lime is popular for the intense acidity and the tangy taste it provides. The lime juice and its zest give an amazing fragrance to sauces, cocktails, and salads. The citrus flavor that lime provides can be used in sweet and savory dishes alike.
Most popular dishes that are made with lime are sweet and spicy citrus tilapia, coconut and lime cookies and pineapple chicken kebabs. There is not a single ingredient that is not complemented by lime.