There is no set shelf life for fresh vegetables and fruits. Their shelf life depends on many factors and there is no a general rule.
In this article we will deal with limes and their shelf life. Limes are popular due to their long shelf life and low cost. We will tell you something more about limes and their shelf life. You will learn how to store this fruit properly and how to tell if limes have gone bad. If you like limes and if they are a part of your regular diet, you should read this article. We are sure that you will learn some things that you didn’t know before.
More about Limes
A lime is a hybrid citrus fruit that is typically round and contains an acidic juice in the inside. Limes are rich in vitamin C and they are commonly used to accent the flavor of different beverages and foods. You can simply squeeze lime juice from fresh limes, but you can also purchase it in bottles.
Limes contain high amounts of fiber and other nutrients, so they have many health benefits for people. You should include limes in your regular diet, but you should know how to store them first. Read along and you will find out soon.
What Is The Shelf Life of Limes?
It is known that limes have a pretty long shelf life. Like a lot of other fresh fruits, limes don’t have a sell by date, so you should use only the date when they were picked or purchased. If limes are stored properly they can last for a long period of time. If you provide proper storage conditions whole limes can last about a week or two. Of course, they must be wrapped tightly in a plastic wrap and stored in the fridge. If limes are cut, they will lust only 3 to 5 days. They will not lose their fresh look in the fridge and they will still keep most of the juice inside.
Also, the taste of limes won’t change while they are refrigerated. If you want to store limes in a long term, you can freeze them in freezer safe containers.
How to Store Limes Properly?
Proper storage conditions are the most important when we talk about the shelf life of limes. If limes don’t have proper storage conditions they will go bad quickly.
You will extend the shelf life of your limes if your store them in a refrigerator drawer. If you have purchased limes in a plastic bag, you should remove them from the bag. It is necessary to do that because plastic bags can trap moisture that will probably cause the limes to spoil. To avoid that you should transfer limes in an airtight container and store them in the fridge.
When limes are cut or prepared, it is necessary to store them in a container that is closed tightly. This way you will keep limes away from moisture and other contaminants.
How To Tell if Limes Have Gone Bad?
You will be able to tell if limes have gone bad by using your own senses. If limes are bad they will have a soft texture and they will change in color. Their green skin will become light brown over time.
Also, limes that are spoiled will dry out on the inside. It is possible that limes that are spoiled have a sour smell. It will not make you sick if you eat such limes, but it is better to avoid them. Remember that spoiled foods are bad for your health.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, moisture is the main reason of limes spoilage. You should keep limes away from moisture, so it is best to store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
If you notice that your limes have changed in color or texture, it means that they have gone bad. In this case you should throw them away. Now that you know more about the shelf life of limes and how you should store them, we hope you will use your limes before they go bad. We hope this article was interesting and useful for you.
