An exaggerration. But the so-called "key limes" that show up in the grocery store around this time of year are not real key limes:
Key limes were grown commercially in southern Florida and the Florida keys, until the 1926 hurricane wiped out the citrus groves. The growers replaced the Key Lime trees with Persian Lime trees because they are easier to grow, easier to pick because they have no thorns, and due to the much thicker skin, are easier and more economical to ship. There are still many Key Lime trees throughout the Florida Keys in backyards however, commercial production is only on a very small scale. Though they do seem to be making a slight comeback as a Florida crop in recent years. [Source: Chef James Ehler of Key West.]
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momijizukamori
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Date: 2004-07-13 08:27 am (UTC)