609368 Fri Apr 03 16:22:55 -0700 2009 17 2 Los Angeles Area 0 4565872 Is there a season for key limes? Any places carry them other than Whole Foods? Fri Apr 03 16:22:55 -0700 2009 10278 Muhlyssa 1 4565880 I found a bag at my local Ralph's and I'm sure either Bristol Farms or Gelsons has them too. There is a season, and it corresponds to the citrus season, which runs from mid-winter to mid-spring. Fri Apr 03 16:24:44 -0700 2009 4565872 90755 Phurstluv 1 4565888 i haven't looked very recently, but trader joe's was carrying key limes in a mesh bag. pretty reasonable, too. Fri Apr 03 16:27:02 -0700 2009 4565872 105717 alkapal 1 4565903 They're pretty plentiful at most well-stocked produce sections. The key lime is the same as the "Mexican" lime. I've been to a couple of farmers markets, and quite a few supermarkets of various levels and ethnicities over the past couple of weeks, and recall seeing them at just about every stop. Marina Farms, Bristol Farms, Von's, Gelson's, Top Valu, and I think I may have even seen them at TJ's. I don't recall the price, but True Valu which focuses on the Latino market, had a huge pile of them in the citrus section of their produce department. Places like that would probably be your best route. The turnover is good and the prices are usually very reasonable. Fri Apr 03 16:31:59 -0700 2009 4565872 64003 bulavinaka 2 4565930 I happened to see this link from another post (listed at the bottom) and just felt impelled to respond even though it's not my local board. While I've never had them, Mexican limes are definitely thicker-skinned and of a darker green color than key limes. Their color is closer to the usual Persian limes you see in any stupidmarket. I'm not sure of the taste - key limes have a very different flavor from regular limes. But I agree with alkapal - Trader Joe's stores across the country usually carries mesh bags of decent key limes. Fri Apr 03 16:43:34 -0700 2009 4565903 10532 LindaWhit 3 4565995 I appreciate your clarification. Citrus aurantifolia Swingle is described as either lime. I think the differences may or may not have something to do with different varieties aurantifolia as well as climate, etc. I've included a couple of links that describe this fruit and the Wiki entry does mention exactly as you state - thicker skin. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mexican_lime.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_lime FWIW, we have a tree in our yard, and we've actually gotten fruit that has had varying degrees of color and skin thickness. The fruit on our tree has ripened to a "lemon" yellow and the skins are somewhat thin right now, but when they're first green they're dark green and the skins are thicker at first. Whatever the case, I guess it would then be best to ask the store if they do indeed specifically carry key limes. Fri Apr 03 17:08:47 -0700 2009 4565930 64003 bulavinaka 4 4566368 I'm very envious of your lime tree. :-) Fri Apr 03 20:00:56 -0700 2009 4565995 10532 LindaWhit 3 4566000 Every little key lime I ever had in Miami was yellow, not green. Fri Apr 03 17:10:54 -0700 2009 4565930 77350 sbritchky 4 4566120 They turn yellow as the mature... --Dommy! Fri Apr 03 17:53:22 -0700 2009 4566000 10659 Dommy 3 4566181 I think perhaps the problem is an English labelling issue. If they're called "limon" (sorry can't do the accents on this keyboard) they are not Key limes. "Lima", however, means a key lime -- and while they may be greenish, ripe and juicy ones are yellow. That said, the citrus vendor at the far end of the Irvine CFM has Key limes for a couple more weeks. Fri Apr 03 18:21:06 -0700 2009 4565930 10811 Das Ubergeek 1 4565927 Most Mexican markets will have them. Fri Apr 03 16:42:32 -0700 2009 4565872 10132 sku 1 4565955 I've also seen bags of Key Limes at Smart & Final and 99 Cennts Only Stores. Fri Apr 03 16:50:43 -0700 2009 4565872 11646 Norm Man 1 4565993 There is a chain of Mexican markets called Vallarta....that would probably be a good place to start Fri Apr 03 17:08:09 -0700 2009 4565872 218754 hdalsy 1 4566107 Jon's Marketplace will likely have them at the lowest price. Fri Apr 03 17:50:12 -0700 2009 4565872 10240 Bob Brooks 2 4566113 I got some at Jons last month. Can't remember the price but it was very low. Fri Apr 03 17:52:00 -0700 2009 4566107 19949 bad nono 3 4566388 saw it a few days ago for about $1.30 a bag. Jon's is def. cheapest for most produce. ie. Blood oranges were 3lbs for a $1 vs. $3 a 1lb at other places and farmers markets. Fri Apr 03 20:09:27 -0700 2009 4566113 189870 hppzz 1 4566310 Sometimes even 99 Cents Only! Fri Apr 03 19:30:03 -0700 2009 4565872 40486 Cinnamon 1 4566496 Definitely Jon's. They have them year 'round. If the price were any lower, they'd be free. :-) Fri Apr 03 20:59:03 -0700 2009 4565872 121416 Gingergirl