# Key Lime Pie without the Key ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 4, 2009, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886 "2009-07-04T11:56:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/1 "2009-07-04T11:56:01Z")
Is it possible to make a Key Lime Pie without having Key limes ? (I don’t think we get them here in Europe) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/2 "2009-07-04T12:09:40Z")
You can use any kind of limes and get a similar result. Key limes are just the variety that grows in the Florida Keys, which are preferred because they have a stronger flavor. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/3 "2009-07-04T14:44:18Z")
It would just be “lime pie”, though. Real Key Lime Pie is yellow, not green. Maybe use lemons instead? > [@](#): > > The Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is a citrus species with a globose fruit, 2.5-5 cm in diameter (1-2 in), that is yellow when ripe but usually picked green commercially. It is smaller, seedier, has a higher acidity, a stronger aroma, and a thinner rind than that of the Persian lime (Citrus x latifolia). It is valued for its unique flavor compared to other limes, with the key lime usually having a more tart and bitter flavor. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. It is also known as West Indian lime, Bartender’s lime, Omani lime, Tahitian lime or Mexican lime, the latter classified as a distinct race with a thicker skin and darker green color. You might be able to find key lime juice or a lime under one of those alternate names. Where are you in Europe? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/96bed5/32.png) [@Cat\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/4 "2009-07-04T15:11:29Z")
Paris - I’ve used Persian limes and added a splash of lemon juice. ---
**Author:** ![Claire\_Beauchamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/5 "2009-07-04T15:24:35Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > It would just be “lime pie”, though. Real Key Lime Pie is yellow, not green. And pie made with common/Persian limes is STILL yellow. Where did you get the idea that pie made with other than key limes is green? The only time that happens is if green food coloring is added. This was common when I was a kid, but I haven’t seen anyone do that in 30 years. I second the use of regular limes if key limes aren’t available. It’s fine. Adding a little lemon juice is a good idea if you feel moved to do so, but again not necessary. Even here in the States key limes aren’t easily found everywhere, and even if they are available to you, they’re a pain to deal with. They are very small and you have to juice a million of them to enough for a pie. A lot of folks who want to use key lime juice use bottled or frozen. Nellie & Joe’s is a common brand. If you can’t find any in your shops, perhaps you could order some online? [Amazon.com : Nellie and Joe's 100% Key Lime Juice, 12oz glass : Everything Else](http://www.amazon.com/Nellie-Joes-Famous-Juice-Preservatives/dp/B00142EXG0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1246720944&sr=8-3) ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/6 "2009-07-04T15:47:27Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Real Key Lime Pie is yellow, not green. Mom, is that you? ---
**Author:** ![Bewildebeest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bewildebeest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bewildebeest)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/7 "2009-07-04T15:49:48Z")
If you do find key limes plant the seeds. Unlike other citrus they don’t need grafting. They’ll bloom and fruit at 2 years in an 8 inch pot. And it only takes about a dozen to make a pie. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/8 "2009-07-04T15:57:10Z")
You can use other limes if Key Limes are not available, but then it is not Key Lime Pie! ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/9 "2009-07-04T17:05:51Z")
> [@Claire\_Beauchamp](#): > > And pie made with common/Persian limes is STILL yellow. Where did you get the idea that pie made with other than key limes is green? The only time that happens is if green food coloring is added. This was common when I was a kid, but I haven’t seen anyone do that in 30 years. The yellow comes from the egg yolks. Green key lime pie has become almost ubiquitous in Florida. I think it’s to keep the tourists from bitching. I’m guessing you’re not in Florida, or maybe you live in a tourist free zone, or haven’t been out in 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/10 "2009-07-04T19:18:08Z")
I read somewhere that virtually all the “key lime pie” served in north America is made from quite ordinary limes. It’s delicious in any case. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/11 "2009-07-04T19:36:35Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I read somewhere that virtually all the “key lime pie” served in north America is made from quite ordinary limes. It’s delicious in any case. I can’t say if that is true or not because I have never made one myself but real Key limes aren’t that hard to find during parts of the year even in Massachusetts. I buy them just to eat by themselves maybe with a little salt. They are strong and yummy. ---
**Author:** ![critter42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@critter42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/critter42)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/12 "2009-07-04T20:03:29Z")
While most Key Lime Pies I see are yellowish, I use a lot of zest in my filling and as a bit of garnish so it tends to have (or at least has the illusion of) a greener cast than most “from scratch” ones I see. When they’re out of season, I’m able to get large bottles of Key Lime juice at the local megagrocery store with no problem, so I can have KLP year-round (but it is best with fresh Key limes) - and the juice in those bottles is greyish-yellow, not green. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-lime-pie-without-the-key/501886/13 "2009-07-04T21:22:46Z")
Moving to Cafe Society. **samclem** Moderator, General Questions