In this brief guide, we will address the query, “do limes need to be refrigerated?” We will also discuss what is the shelf life of limes and how you can store them to enlarge their shelf life.
Do limes need to be refrigerated?
No, limes do not need to be refrigerated. Limes can be stored at room temperature without any problem, but only when they will be consumed within a week.
If you keep limes for a long period at room temperature, they will start to look shriveled, and also the flavor might be off.
If you want to preserve your limes for longer, you can use the fridge to do so. However, it does not matter the place you choose, if you do not attend to storage recommendations, they can spoil quickly.
Make sure to keep reading to find out what you can do to preserve lime quality.
How long do limes last?
Depending on the place you choose to store your limes, their shelf life will be altered. Limes are a citrus type of fruit, which means they can provide you with vitamin C and juicy flesh with a slightly sour taste.
You can store limes in the pantry, fridge, or freezer. The variations in the length of the lime’s shelf life depending on the storage space will be described in the following chart.
| Lime’s shelf life | |||
| Type | In the pantry | In the refrigerator | In the freezer |
| Whole limes | 1 week | 3 to 4 weeks | 3 to 4 months |
| Cut limes | – | 3 to 4 days | 3 to 4 months |
Note that these periods are only estimates and they can be enlarged with the proper storage, make sure you keep reading to find out how you need to store limes.
What is the best place to store limes?
It will entirely depend on how long you want to preserve limes to determine the best space to keep your fruits. If you plan to eat all of your limes within less than a week, the pantry will be just fine, but make sure they are not exposed to direct sunlight, heat, or humidity.
Limes are not recommended to be kept for a longer time at room temperature because both their texture and flavor will suffer the consequences.
The freezer works to preserve for several months your limes, but they can lose their juiciness when doing so. The same thing happens when you use the refrigerator to place the limes.
So, consider this before making your decision!
Can you freeze limes?
Yes, absolutely! Freezing limes will let you enjoy for a long time their refreshing flavor. However, it is important you keep in mind that storing them in the freezer will change their texture as most of their juiciness might be lost.
Frozen limes are recommended to be used to prepare cooked dishes that do not let the new texture show. You can also choose to freeze lime or zest, they will freeze just well and let you enjoy their properties for several months.
Freezing whole limes is the easiest thing to do! You only need to place them in a freezer bag, squeeze all the air out, and you can store the bag in the freezer without any problem. Now you only need to use them within 3 to 6 months.
Can you store cut limes?
We have already talked about storing whole limes, but is it possible to do it with lime halves or slices? Of course! Nevertheless, they will last for a shorter time, you need to consume them within 5 to 7 days.
But how to store cut limes? Well, it is pretty easy. You only need to
- First, cut them in half or slices.
- Wrap all the tiny portions in plastic wrap. You can also use some aluminum foil, this will help you keep the moisture of the fruit so it doesn’t dry completely.
- Now place the wrapped portions in a freezer-appropriate container. Make sure you squeeze out most of the air.
- Finally, place them in the freezer and consume them within 5 to 7 days.
How can you tell when limes have gone bad?
Several signs will help you notice when limes are no longer appropriate to be consumed. Make sure you check for all of these signs before eating limes.
- Mold growth. when mold appears, it means that the fruit is no longer edible. If you detect any mold, be very cautious when handling it as mold can be detrimental to your overall health.
- Shriveled or slimy texture. It is normal to feel a little softness, but when the texture has become mushy, spoilage could have occurred.
- Brown skin. Avoid buying or consuming limes with brown skin, because they might be completely spoiled.
To get further guidance on this subject, please click here.
Other FAQs about Lime that you may be interested in.
Where is lime juice in grocery stores?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, “do limes need to be refrigerated?” We have also discussed other queries related to the subject at hand.
Hope you found this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
