Finger Lime Black
Citrus x aurantiifolia
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Description
Finger Lime Black is a dark-fruited selection of the Australian finger lime - the caviar lime of the Queensland and New South Wales rainforests - sold in NZ as a grafted novelty citrus. The plant is a distinctive small shrub or compact tree with tiny leaves and plentiful sharp thorns. The elongated finger-shaped fruit has near-black to deep-purple skin; inside are the celebrated spherical juice vesicles ('citrus caviar', pink-red in this selection) that burst with a sharp, tart lime flavour. Fruit is used as a gourmet garnish for seafood, oysters, desserts, and drinks, and commands premium prices. In NZ finger limes harvest in autumn (March-May), ahead of the winter lime season. Trees are slow-growing and slow to bear, best in warm, sheltered, frost-free positions or containers, and are showy ornamentals with bee-attracting blossom. Eat fresh quickly - the vesicles do not store long once picked.
Characteristics
Fruit Size
Small
Peel Colour
Dark purple-black
Flesh Colour
Pink-red vesicles
Harvest Timing (NZ)
Early
Seediness
Few Seeds
Growth Habit
Compact
Thorny
Notes
Needs a warm, sunny, sheltered, frost-free site - Northland/Auckland or a large pot under cover elsewhere. Rainforest understory origin: tolerates semi-shade when young. Prune with care (plentiful thorns). Slow to bear; fruit harvested autumn. High-value gourmet fruit - handle gently.
Fruit Use
Culinary
Flavour Profile
Tart, Acidic, Juicy
Storage Life
Short
Country Availability
Known to be available in 1 country