Key Limes Vs Standard Limes: What's The Difference?

Named for the Florida Keys, key limes are much smaller than standard limes and have more seeds, leading to differences in storage, taste, and applications in the kitchen.

Key limes measure around one to two inches and have a very thin skin, making them much less hearty and shelf stable. For this reason, it's important to keep them in the fridge.

They also tend to have a more floral taste and are much more subtle and aromatic, while still having the tangy edge signature to all citrus fruits.

Standard limes, also called Persian limes, tend to be about three inches in size. They have thicker skin, which allows you to store them on the counter rather than in the fridge.

When it comes to taste, standard limes are more acidic and sour, which is great in recipes that require a sharp flavor without any underlying bitterness, such as a margarita.

Key limes are used most notably in key lime pie, where they provide a complex, floral, and tart flavor that offsets the super sweet base in a way that standard limes can't.