Do you keep asking yourself how long your limes will last? What if they go bad? How to store limes? If so, this article is all you need to go through!
Regardless of how you got a hold of excess limes, maybe your local store had a huge sale on fruit items, and you decide to buy a bunch of limes. The next step should be how to store them as they will likely go bad.
Limes are versatile. You can use fresh citrus for baking, cooking, and cleaning. In this article, you will find more about the shelf life of limes, their storage and cutting methods, and ways to preserve them.
Storing Limes
Before deciding on the best method to store limes, always remember the following tips:
Pick fresh limes from the superstore. The fresher the limes are, the longer they will last.
Secondly, avoid putting mushy or bruised limes in your bag. They are more likely to go bad in a day or two.
Always look up limes that have uniform color and are firm while touching.
Once you have selected the best limes, next comes the storage process. If you plan on using them within a week, your shelf or countertop is the best place to keep them. However, if you plan on using them slowly, the refrigerator is where they belong.
Tip: Always put limes open in your vegetable drawer and never in a plastic bag!
The table below gives a guide on how to store your lime.
| Limes | Method of storage |
| Fresh limes | You can leave them on your countertop for as long as they are not exposed directly to the sun or heat. Make sure you keep them in a cool, dry area. |
| After cut limes | After you cut your limes, make sure that you wrap them in a plastic bag or put them in a sealed container. This will prevent direct air exposure and drying of the limes. Remember to check your limes so that any spoiled lime does not affect the whole bag. |
| Squeezed limes | If you have squeezed limes, put them in an airtight jar, and a freezer is the only best place for them! |
| Store-bought limes | Store-bought limes have preservatives that make them highly prone to molds and fungus once the bottle is opened. If your bottle is closed, you can keep them in your cabinet drawer. If not, then you have to store them in the refrigerator. Always make sure to close the bottle tightly! |
How Long Does Lime Last?
To determine the shelf life of any fruit, remember it depends on several factors, such as the date of purchase and method of storage. Limes have varying shelf life depending on how you decide to store them.
Whole limes can stay on your countertop for two (2) weeks and remain fresh. However, on freezing them, their life extends to 2 months. Sliced limes can last only 3-4 days in the refrigerator but cannot for a day if left outside.
Tips for Storing Limes
The more you care for the storing process, the longer the limes last. You can store it in a pantry, countertop, refrigerator, or freezer.
| Pantry or countertop | Refrigerator | |
| Whole lime | Five (5) to seven (7) days | Two (2) to three (3) days |
| Freshly cut lime | Use immediately | Three (3) to four (4) days |
| An unopened lime juice bottle | Twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months | Six (6) months past the expiry date |
| An opened lime juice bottle | Two (2) to four (4) weeks | Only two (2) months after opening. |
Can you Freeze Limes?
Yes, freezing limes is a common practice all over the world. However, when you want to freeze them, ensure they are properly washed, dried, and firm. You can cut them into slices or quarters or squeeze the juice out. These can be transferred into the tray. Once frozen, you can put them into an airtight bag or bottle. Similarly, you can squeeze lime juice into an ice tray. Once frozen, put the ice cubes into a ziplock bag.
Freezing limes is a time-effective method. It is a one-time investment that can help save a lot of meal preparation and cooking time.
Tip: Remember to use frozen limes in 6 months!
FAQs
Can you grow limes at home?
Yes, you can grow limes in any container or pot. All you need to get is lime seeds. Some seeds are relatively easier to grow, while some take longer.
When is the best to pick limes?
The best time to pick limes is when they are under slight pressure. If the limes are hard, they may not be juicy. However, if your lime feels heavy for its size, it is ready to be eaten.
What are orange limes?
Orange limes are also known as Rangpur lime. There is a mixed form of mandarin orange and lime. They are highly acidic and have orange-like juice.
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I hope you found this article helpful, Do you have any tips on how to store limes? Share them in the comments below! Don't forget to leave feedback and save it to your Pinterest.
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