[ken5050]

OK..I’m gonna jump in with both feet, and await the sling and arrows....key limes suck...and they’re NOT worth the $$ Period. You can make a far better pie..with regular limes. Blind taste tests have confirmed that multiple times...

[kevkrom]

Gotta disagree, here. Key limes have a taste distinct from other limes (found that out the hard way truing to sub key lime juice for regular lime juice in another recipe... did not get the taste I was looking for), and one that works very well for that awesome southern dessert.

[Liz]

Could not agree more. I intensely dislike those tiny key limes. The Persian limes that we're used to buying at the supermarket are much better....in any recipe. Mmmmm....that sounds like a lime recipe cue...remember these on a FReeper recipe thread.

SPRING LIME TEA COOKIES / light, buttery tea cookies bursting with citrus flavor

PREP Steep 5 min 2 tea lime juice, 1/3 c milk. BATTER Cream 1/2 c butter, 3/4 cup sugar light and fluffy. Beat in egg, then stir in 2 tea lime zest, infused milk. Blend in combined 3/4 c flour, tsp b/powder and 1/4 tsp b/soda, food color. Drop rounded spoonfuls on dry sheetpans. Bake 350 deg 8-10 min (or longer), edges are light brown; cool on baking sheets 5 min then wire rack to cool completely. Brush on glaze. stir 2-3 tb lime juice (bit of zest) and 1/4-1/2 c conf, droplet green food color.

[Liz]

BTW, this was also on a FR recipe thread. Here's how to make "key lime" juice from regular Persian limes.

METHOD Juice limes, add lemon juice---1 part l/juice per 4-5 parts lime juice. Add driblets of lemon juice, stir/taste til sufficiently tart.

Works VERY well, and you don't have to buy those hideously expensive bottles of key lime juice.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Key limes and Key lime pies have a very different taste. I had a Key lime tree in my backyard for years in Miami. I make a pretty mean Key lime pie myself. Tastes totally different from regular lime which I have substituted in a pinch a few times. There is no comparison.

[crazycatlady]

Last Easter I wanted to make key lime pie but it seemed that there wasn’t a key lime to be had in Everett. I didnt want to use regular limes.I found something called Nelly and Joe’s key lime juice. Now I use it by choice. It keeps in the refrigerator like RealLemon and is also good in cocktails. No more having to but an expensive bag of key limes and not knowing what to do with the remainder.
I also found a vanilla cookie crust recipe in the King Arthur Flour cookbook that people seem to like, though a variety of crusts are acceptable.

[workerbee]

This is the only key lime I've ever used

and it makes a darn good pie.