Finger Limes

I'm a complete pushover when it comes to trying some new flavor or taste that I've never experienced before... so when I saw "finger limes" advertised in the October 2011 edition of the Food Network Magazine (a must-have subscription btw)...

I didn't even wait a single day.  I logged onto www.shanleyfarms.com and placed my order. 

I anxiously awaited the arrival of 25 to 35 finger limes.  Total order cost was $25, so about a buck a lime, which is a little steep, but who could resist this pink and green experience?  

I sternly directed the coupon clipping side of my personality to settle down and clicked the "place order" button. 

I imagined a "crate" of sorts arriving with my limes (which I could then generously share with my food curious friends). 

A few days later my limes were in my hands... not in a crate so much... or even a medium sized box... but in a tiny US postal service parcel.  My "crate" turned out to be more the size of a pint of blackberries. 

I immediately went to the kitchen and sliced one open.. amazing!  Exactly like the picture (except smaller).. little glorious individual beads of pulp filled the rind.  With a little gentle nudging with the tip of the knife, my co-workers and I sampled the "citrus caviar" (some more willingingly than others). 

I knew immediately that these bead-like bubbles had a swimming date with a salt-rimmed glass, filled with Corona (it was Friday after all).

As you can see, the limes are significantly smaller than the regular sized version.

And here are those little magical beads spilling out (just as promised)...

So I know what you're all wanting to know... What did they taste like?

When you slice open the rind of the lime (some rinds are a dark purplish hue and some are green) there is a fragrance not unlike honeysuckle... very aromatic... a little bit like perfume.  I found that if you sliced the lime from tip to tip instead of into circles, that the little beads were easier to scrape out of the skin.  The beads have a tendency to stick together so they need a little encouragement to abandon their segments. 

When you bite into the pearls there is the tiniest popping explosion and burst of sour on your tongue (similar to a caviar experience without the brine).  I have to say that they were quite addictive floating in a carbonated malt!! You can sprinkle them on top of tuna fish and crackers... salmon... anywhere you want a little pop of sour goodness. 

I have to say I'm a fan.

I did share a few (only to those worthy of appreciating this culinary experience)... but mostly I have kept them for myself.  And although I was a little disappointed at first at the size of the delivery, I have gotten beyond that hiccup... since now,  more than 2 weeks later (and several happy cocktails), I still have some to spare.  (I guess I shouldn't have been so stingy). And although they're getting a little dry on the outside, the plump spheres inside seem to be holding their own. 

Would I order them again?? I'm hoping they will become more readily available in local markets so I can save on shipping, but I don't regret a penny of my citrus expenditure. 

"Thumbs Up" to finger limes... pun intended. =)