How to tell if Lime is bad | Look out for these tell-tale signs

You can tell if your lime is bad when the rind of the lime is soft and sour. The lime will look bigger and duller, and the flesh will start to separate from the peel. 

Have you ever wondered what hints to look out for when buying lime? I was recently asked this question by a customer looking to buy some.

I then realized not so many people know how to differentiate bad limes from good ones. In light of these experiences, we will be discussing the various ways to tell if lime is bad and how to keep a lime to prevent quick spoilage properly.

But first, let’s talk about what a good lime should look like (assuming you intend on getting the good ones).

How can you tell that lime is good?

Lime is good through its color, texture, and smell.

• Color

Lime is frequently related to the color green. Although this is not always through, all fruits, when ripped, can appear in color close to yellow. Yellow lime does not mean equal spoilt.

However, we prefer using and consuming young limes over older ones. So you will see more green limes than yellow in most produce sections.

• Texture

A fully ripe lime should feel quite firm in your hands. Although it will give slightly when you squeeze it, it won’t just crush in your hand. The skin should have a faint gloss, be waxy, and have pores.

If limes have cuts on them, they could deteriorate more quickly. Try to stay away from these when you’re shopping. A ripe lime should feel weighty in hand. It holds more juice when it is heavier.

• Smell

Uncut limes shouldn’t smell, but if you lightly scratch the peel, you should detect a beautiful zesty scent. It ought to have a lime scent. Delicious, zesty, and fresh.

You should smell it more when you cut it. You can tell if lime is still fresh enough to eat by smelling the chopped lime. Everything should be good if you can still smell the beautiful lime aroma.

How can you tell that lime is bad?

Now let’s examine a bad lime. What signs suggest the lime has turned bad? What distinguishes them from good ones?

• Color

When a like is bad, some of it slowly turns brown, even if it’s still unripe. The brown spot usually starts appearing after hitting the floor.

Its skin will be soft and rotting. You’ll see that the portions are internally shrinking as they dry out. The back will look old and dull and pull away from the flesh.

Throw the lime away if it is cracked or rotten. Its juice won’t be able to maintain its original freshness. It will taste not good.

• Texture

When you pick up a ruined lime, one of the first things you’ll notice is how light it is. This is due to the lime drying out as it degrades.

The skin won’t feel as waxy and will have a wrinkled texture as opposed to a dimpled one. Its surface texture will be rougher.

A poor lime will leave a dent when squeezed. In your palm, it will feel soft and squishy.

• Smell

While the color and texture may not tell, the smell will give it up if lime is spoilt.
You can detect a bad lime with its distinct acidic smell. This acidity will go beyond the bad lime smell, so make sure you don’t take a spoilt lime.

How long does a fresh lime last?

A whole and fresh lime can last up to two weeks in a cold pantry. The limes should remain in good condition for approximately a month in the refrigerator and possibly for a few weeks longer if you store them in a sealed bag.

Accordingly, depending on how you plan to use your limes, you should either keep them in the refrigerator or put them on the counter in a fruit basket. Put your limes in the basket if you know you’ll use them immediately. Refrigeration is the best option if you need as much time as possible.

One thing to remember is that lemons and limes frequently sit in the grocery store’s produce department for a few days before being sold. Therefore, unless you are certain that what you purchased is fresh, be ready that they might not maintain their quality for the entire four-week period.

How to keep limes fresh

Limes should be kept in the salad drawer of the refrigerator if they are whole and uncut. However, ensure you take out any plastic bags that may have been sold. Plastic bags will retain moisture, which could soften the lime’s skin and ruin it.

If the lime has been sliced, it must be kept in a container that can be sealed. The ideal is a Tupperware box. If necessary, you can securely wrap the lime’s open end to keep bacteria and oxygen from getting inside.

What happens when you take bad lime?

Consuming spoiled food is never a good idea. The consumption of tainted limes may cause those with sensitive stomachs to experience the signs of food poisoning.

They could have indigestion, nausea, puking, diarrhea, and abdominal bloating. You must also refrain from consuming lime juice sitting in your refrigerator for an extended period, especially if it has turned hazy.

The rotten juice might include poisons or microorganisms that make you feel awful. However, if you accidentally ate a bad lime, don’t panic because doing so won’t endanger your life.

Make sure to hydrate well and wait for your symptoms to go away. It ought to be over in a day. However, you should contact a doctor if, after 48 hours, you’re still in a lot of pain.

FAQ

Is it safe to freeze lime?

Yes, it is safe to freeze lime. Limes will stay fresh in your freezer for weeks. Lime halves can be frozen if you have any.

However, it is better to store cut limes in an airtight container or a ziplock bag due to the possibility of freezer burn if the lime flesh comes into touch with the freezer. Your limes will drastically lose quality as a result.

Does lime spoil?

Yes, lime can spoil, especially if not stored properly.

Can you freeze lime juice?

To extend its shelf life, you may utilize lime juice for longer periods by refrigerating it.

But keep in mind that until you open the container, store-bought lime juice doesn’t always need to be chilled.