Ingredient: Key Limes (aka Mexican Limes)
Origin: Southeast Asia

Key limes are a citrus hybrid high in acidity and packed with lime flavor. Smaller than the Persian lime (a lime you will see in any grocery store), these limes contain more seeds, have a thinner outer skin, and turn yellow when ripe (except they are mostly picked when green for commercial sale).

There are a wide range of uses for key limes in the kitchen. For example, they are great in cocktails, for a strong punch of acidity. They are also great in salad dressing and vinaigrettes. However, the most well know use is in the classic dessert, Key Lime Pie! Because these limes are smaller, it takes time to get the same amount of juice as a Persian lime, but it’s well worth it.