Couldn’t help yourself from buying limes at the store and now stuck with bucketloads of this tangy fruit? We get it! Lime’s irresistible sour and zesty flavor is enough to draw anyone in. But what to do with all the lime you’re stuck with?
Don’t worry! Several methods are available: freezing, making lime juice, refrigerating, etc. – take your pick.
But how will you know if the limes you bought are the best quality for storage? Will fresh limes last longer?
Let us explore the tricks to scout the best quality limes before jumping into the methods we’ve compiled for you!
How to Buy the Best Limes?
Buying the freshest set of limes is extremely important for its longevity. So, do you have to buy fresh limes for storage? Yes, you do. Here’s how you can judge whether the lime is worth the purchase:
- Weight of the lime – Toss the lime around on your hand for a while to gauge its weight. The heavier it is, the more juice it holds – always good to go for extra juice.
- Medium Softness – The lime should neither be too soft nor too hard. A balance between the two should be preferred. However, if you plan to save entire limes for a month or two, go for slightly harder ones.
- Mold – A mold-free lime is a given. While the mold may be only on the surface, it is best avoided as the content inside can also be affected.
Different Storage Methods for Limes
It certainly isn’t advised to consume old and moldy limes. They’re just a food poisoning disaster waiting to happen. To extend the limes’ shelf life and ensure that your lime haul doesn’t mold, try the following methods:
- Freezing Lime Juice
One of the most effective ways to store limes without taking up space is by juicing them. You can freeze the juiced lime in a tray and then store the cubes in a resealable bag or an airtight container. Take the cubes out whenever needed, and you’ll have a cold lemonade or margarita without the extra effort of adding ice cubes.
This method allows you to store the juice for three to four months.
- Freezing Sliced Limes
Another way to store limes, with a little extra effort, is by slicing and freezing them. Cut the limes into thin slices, place them on a tray, and flash freeze until they become solid. Store the frozen pieces in an airtight bag or box, whichever takes less space. For three to four months, they will remain edible. You can use them for cooking, baking, or grating.
- Freezing Whole Limes
However, if you want to keep your limes intact without juicing or slicing them, you can try freezing them whole. Place them inside the freezer bag and defrost them again until soft. The resultant pulp inside the lime might be a little mushy, but the taste will remain the same while cooking or drinking. It’ll be good to use for three to four months.
- Juicing the Limes
If you plan to save up your lime haul for a few days, you can juice them. Simply squeeze out all the juice and store it in an airtight container inside the fridge. You can use it for four days, but it’ll slowly lose its flavor from the initial day itself.
- Refrigerating Cut Limes
Refrigerating limes is the best option if you want to use them up within a few days (maximum of one week). Cut the limes into slices or halves, store in a container or zip-lock, and put them away in the refrigerator. For extra precautionary measures, you can wrap individual wedges in plastic wrap to prevent dryness.
- Refrigerating Whole Limes
You can also try refrigerating whole limes. They’ll last an entire month if you pack them in an airtight container or bag and store them in a crisper unit.
- Room-Temperature Storage
Do you not want to bother refrigerating, slicing, or juicing? You can simply stow them on the countertop at room temperature. However, note that it might start drying out and shrivel slightly.
| Storage Method | Life Span |
| Freezing lime juice | Three to four months |
| Freezing sliced limes | Three to four months |
| Freezing whole limes | Three to four months |
| Juicing the limes | Max. four days |
| Refrigerating cut limes | Five to seven days |
| Refrigerating whole limes | A month |
| Room-temperature storage | A week |
How to Store Lime Juice and Lime Slices?
You can juice or slice the limes if you want to preserve storage space. Here’s how you can properly store them:
Lime Juice
To store lime juice:
- First, cut the lime horizontally from the middle.
- Now, use a lime juicer or your hand to extract all the juice.
- Freeze the fresh juice in an ice tray.
- Once frozen, take the cubes out and store them in an airtight container.
Lime Slices
For keeping the lime slices fresh:
- Wrap the individual slices in plastic wrap.
- Store all the pieces in a zip-top bag.
- For longer storage, freeze them before wrapping them in plastic.
How to Store Limes in the Refrigerator?
While we’ve recognized that storing limes in the refrigerator keeps them edible from a week to a month, it is integral to follow proper steps. For maximum storage life, whole limes are preferred as slices tend to dry up. But for easy access and faster use, you should go with sliced limes.
Here’s how you can properly refrigerate them:
Step 1 – Washing
Before storing, slicing, or juicing, you must thoroughly wash the limes, especially if you plan to use their skin. They’re perhaps the dirtiest fruit you can find as they travel a long way and accumulate dust and bacteria. The fruit is also grown with an abundance of pesticides and herbicides, which can cause stomach problems if ingested.
Give it a proper wash under cold water or use a vegetable spray if you have one. After washing, dry them off without a speck of water remaining. Do this by letting it dry on its own or wiping it.
Step 2 – Storing
Next, opt for an airtight container or a zip-lock bag to store it. It’ll prevent air from getting inside and drying them.
How to Store Limes in the Freezer?
For long-term storage, a freezer is a better method. To properly store limes in the freezer:
Step 1 – Washing
Before freezing, wash off the grime and dust using cold water with a mild organic soap or vegetable cleaner. Let it air dry or wipe it down with a towel.
Step 2 – Freezing
Instead of gathering them into a large mass and freezing them, it is better to plate them individually on a tray without touching each other. After they are completely frozen, pull them out of the freezer and prepare them for storage.
Step 3 – Storing
Now that the limes are entirely frozen, it is time to store them. Put them in an airtight container or plastic bag that can prevent airflow.
Freezer vs. Refrigerator – Which Is Best for Storage?
So, now that we know that the freezer and the refrigerator are viable ways of storing limes, which one should you go for? Let us look at its pros and cons, and you can decide which one to go for!
| Pros and Cons | Freezer | Refrigerator |
| Easy Accessibility | No | Yes |
| Can store for 1 to 4 weeks | Yes | Yes |
| Can store for 1 to 24 weeks | Yes | No |
| Suitable for sliced lime | Yes | No |
| Suitable for wedged lime | Yes | No |
Conclusion
And here’s how you do it! Keeping limes for a long time is easy when you know these ways. Be methodical while preparing for storage and prevent scratches while storing whole limes. You should also ensure that it does not have any traces of mold, as it might ruin the entire batch.
We hope that the article had all the answers you were looking for!
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