http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?s=n&ss=nd&sid=50777&s_txt=&s_date=0&ms==0&ntype=nws

Story published: Tue 23 Feb 10 11:01

Finger limes hit UK market


The Finger Lime season runs until May

Australian finger limes have hit the UK market, heading for top restaurants and events around the country.

The first tray of the premium product was received by Uniagro on Tuesday, and the company hopes volumes will increase considerably to satisfy demand.

The citrus fruit is commercially grown by Finger Limeing Good Pty Ltd, which has a network of growers stretching down the east coast of Australia, with all of its growers accredited by stringent production standards equivalent to GlobalGAP levels.

More than 75 distinct varieties of the product have been identified during the last 10 years of research and development into finger limes.

Michelin-starred restaurants are now embracing the fruit and using it in a myriad of ways, including accompanying champagne and in Asian dipping sauces.

The fruit, which is said to “have the appearance of caviar” when opened, has pulp of various colours including pink, green, burgundy and yellow.

A number of well-known restaurants are currently using the product, which is available until the season’s end in May, including Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat' Saison, which sources the product through Oakleaf European Ltd.

Phil Morris of Uniagro told freshinfo: “Quality is excellent and the first quantities have a very distinctive pink pulp.

“The marketing campaign will be focused on the high-end foodservice and hospitality sectors as well as potentially some niche retailers.”

http://northside-chronicle.whereilive.com.au/news/story/green-thumb-delights/

Green thumb delights

22 Feb 10 @ 08:50am by Annette McFarlane



VIRGINIA: Have you taken a close look at your finger lime lately?

Shrubs planted a year or two ago are now bearing black, green or sometimes orange-tinged fruit (but never lime green).

I have half a dozen different finger limes, but the grafted, named cultivars are the most abundant producers. The largest fruit are thumb-sized and contain unusual, pearl-like bubbles that pop and release an intense flavour burst inside your mouth.

Finger limes are relatively slow growing and their growth habit is variable.

My plants are metre-high shrubs, but left to their own devices, will become tree-like in time. They form part of a low-maintenance bed of native plants. They are not fertilised like my oranges, lemons and grapefruit, but bear well despite this.

Finger limes are horribly spiky, making them perfect for discouraging uninvited guests. Would-be burglars would need to wear thick leather pants if attempting to breach them. Small native birds often take advantage of their protective habitat to build nests.

Like all citrus, they grow best when planted in a well-drained soil and exposed to full sun. Once established, finger limes survive on natural rainfall. Add compost to the soil before planting and mulch thickly to conserve soil moisture.

Culinary types are sure to be able to come up with creative uses for these strongly flavoured, miniature fruit. I am content to slice my entire crop into thin rounds and convert them into a delicious marmalade. Most of the fruit is largely seedless and using the skin and the flesh to make jam ensures a little fruit goes a long way.

I'd like to try the blood version of these.

In my opinion, the value for finger limes will be as a garnish. Otherwise they make excellent ingredient for the compost pile. - Millet (1,066-)

quote " never lime green ",Lime green would have to be the most common color in the wild, and some cultivars may not fully develop their other colors in different climates, ripening green.