Thornless Key Lime
Limes

Key limes (Citrus × aurantiifolia) are much smaller (ping-pong to golfball-sized) than Persian limes, nearly spherical, thin-skinned, and often contain a few seeds. Green key limes are actually immature fruits, prized for their acidity. As they ripen to a yellow color, the acid content diminishes greatly, resulting in a sweeter fruit. Fresh Key lime is preferred for flavoring of fish and meats or marinades, making limeade, and garnishing drinks and plates due to its tantalizing bouquet and unique flavor. The juice is used for syrups, preserves, and of course, Key Lime Pie. Alas, most commercially available Key lime pies these days are made from the frozen concentrate of the Persian lime, not the Key lime. The Key lime is more difficult to find outside of Florida and California markets, and may be available only seasonally and/or in gourmet markets. However, many large grocery chains now carry bottled Key lime juice in the canned fruit aisle near bottled lemon juice.