Puzzlement #2 - Limes

[Schuarta]

I have continually experienced a problem with the rind (skin) of my limes, whereby after I purchased them fresh, and had them in the refrigerator for a few days, the rind becomes very hard.

If you try to cut them into wedges with a small knife you could do yourself an injury. I have resorted to a chef's dicing knife for strength and safety.

I have never seen this happen with a lemon. This happened to anyone else?

[JRO]

Maybe you should try a sharp knife

[Schuarta]

Ho! Ho! Ho!

But seriously folks, these lime rinds get "rock hard". It's like trying to cut a large walnut.

[cstoehr]

Maybe you should just keep them in a cool spot and not the frig. It may be freezing them.

[Jesse]

I always have a good number of limes (for cocktails) in the fridge and have never had this issue. I would side with cstoehr and say they are probably being frozen. If the overall temp in your fridge isn't too cold, maybe your fruit drawer is getting colder than it should be. Some of those are adjustable, but if not, try keeping them in the other parts of the fridge and see if you have the same problem!

[Isabella Maja]

Yes, I've had this happen. I think it is due to the age of the limes.
And I have had some harden & some not in the same batch. So, no, they are not getting frozen. What is happening is the water is extracting from the peel.

So keep them in a ziploc with a paper towel in side the bag to absorb too much moisture. That should do the trick.

[Schuarta]

Thank you Isabella. You're right, the skins are hard and very dry, and Lord knows how ling they were in the market before I bought them. In the bag with damp towel they go.

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S

[foodophyle]

All citrus fruits will get either hard rinds or rot as they age. Try to use them up before this point, although if the rinds are hard, the juice inside is generally okay. You can always juice them and freeze the juice, although I frequently use the "aging lime" excuse to make fresh margaritas.

[Shannon]

My uncle used to keep his lemons and limes in a small bowl of water in the fridge. He said it kept them fresh longer and prevented them from drying out.

I'm not sure I have room in my fridge to do that. Honestly, I don't keep them in the fridge unless they are starting to dry out/go bad in my fruit basket.

Are you supposed to keep them in the fridge? I thought fruit was better kept at room temperature.