California finger lime farmers Justin Warren and Megan Shanley Warren have three school-aged sons—and they all love finger limes. Megan told The FruitGuys that when she does the laundry, she often finds the little fruits in her boys’ pockets!
“Finger limes are really fun for kids because they’re super easy to just snap open, crack, and squeeze them in their mouth. They get this shot of antioxidants and major Vitamin C, and it’s perfect for kids to enjoy as their snack,” Megan said.
Before we dig deeper into why kids love finger limes and how you can order them for your schools, let’s go over the basics—what is a finger lime, anyway?
What Is a Finger Lime?
Finger limes are small, jalapeño-shaped fruits that look a bit like elongated limes. Their skin ranges in color from bright green to red and deep purple-brown. But their real magic is on the inside. Pop one open, and you’ll see a cache of tiny, juicy beads that are sometimes called citrus caviar.
Is the Finger Lime a Citrus Fruit?
Most people consider finger limes citrus fruits. But here at The FruitGuys, we like to dig into the details of the produce we deliver! While it’s true that finger limes are distantly related to the ancestors of oranges and grapefruits (which are all native to Asia), they come from part of the citrus family tree that branched off in Australia between 5.3 million and 2.5 million years ago.
“Some people consider Australian finger limes as citrus, but others of us still consider it a citrus relative, Microcitrus australasica, so not in the genus citrus but closely related,” Dr. Tracy Kahn, the curator of the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at UC Riverside, told us.
Where Does the Finger Lime Grow Today?
Australia is still the center of the finger lime industry, but farmers in other countries have picked up the crop, too. In the US, most finger limes are grown in California. The FruitGuys partners with Megan and Justin’s farm, Shanley Farms in Morro Bay, California, to source them for our fruit deliveries to offices and schools.
Shanley Farms was the first commercial finger lime farm in the United States, and Justin told us that it’s still the biggest. He, Megan, and their sons tend about 10,000 finger lime trees!
Learn more about the amazing story of Shanley Farms.
How Do You Eat a Finger Lime?
Don’t be intimidated by the uniqueness of this fruit—it’s so easy to eat that a kid can do it! Just grab both ends and crack it open with the same motion you’d use to crack a glowstick. Then, you can squeeze the pearls (sometimes called “finger lime caviar” or “bush caviar”) directly into your mouth for a tart treat. Or, squeeze them onto dishes like fruit salad or tacos for a bright citrus note.
What Does a Finger Lime Taste Like?
Finger limes are tart, juicy, and refreshing, with just a hint of sweetness. Here’s how Justin and Megan describe the ones they grow.
“[The flavor] is a lemony-limey-grapefruity burst, but you don’t get that until your teeth crush a pearl,” Justin said.
Megan added, “Finger limes are really a combination of tartness and sweetness. You squeeze out the pearls, then crunch on them, and that’s where you get this pop of citrus flavor in your mouth. Some people think, ‘Wow, that’s really sour’ and some people say they’re almost sweet. They’re definitely really bright.”
Why Are Finger Limes a Great Snack for Students?
Finger limes are fun and easy to eat, and kids go nuts for their surprising insides and sour-sweet flavor. Watch our video to hear more from Megan and Justin about the benefits this little fruit can bring to your students.
What Are the Health Benefits of Finger Limes?
Finger limes may be small, but they’re loaded with vitamins C and E, which are great for kids’ immune systems and skin health. The tiny fruits also have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, and might even help with nausea.
What Are Finger Limes Used For?
Aboriginal cultures in Australia have eaten finger limes for thousands of years. They also use the skin of the fruit to help heal wounds, relying on its antibacterial properties.
When Is Finger Lime Season?
Finger limes are in season from June–December in the US. In Australia, the season is the opposite. So thanks to farmers across the world, finger limes are available pretty much year-round!
Where Can I Buy Finger Limes for My Students?
You can buy California-grown finger limes for your schools through The FruitGuys Farm-to-School Program when they’re in season. Check our price sheets to see if they’re available or, if you’re not working with us yet, fill out this quick form and we’ll share pricing and availability with you.