All About the Australian Finger Lime

Next time you need an icebreaker at an awkward meeting, try this trick: Run to the break room, grab an Australian finger lime, and ask your coworkers to guess what it looks like inside. Anyone who hasn’t tried one yet will probably think it’s a segmented fruit, like a lemon or an orange. Then, it’s time for the party trick: Crack it open and wow them with the tiny pearls inside!

Maybe that scenario is a little silly, but fruit can be a real conversation-starter. And with its unique look, flavor, and backstory, the finger lime is a great choice for a bonding moment.

What Is an Australian 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 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 farmer Justin Warren (who runs the farm with his wife, Megan Shanley Warren) told us that it’s still the biggest. Justin, 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 easy to eat! 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, tacos, or sushi for a bright citrus note.

What Does an Australian 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.”

What Are the Health Benefits of Finger Limes?

Australian finger limes may be small, but they’re loaded with vitamins C and E, which are great for your immune system 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?

Here at The FruitGuys, we occasionally add finger limes to our office fruit deliveries as a special treat for employees when they’re at peak ripeness and flavor. We also offer finger limes in bulk by the case to offices and schools! If you want to have your own finger lime icebreaker moment, check the availability in your region.