Slices of Sunshine
Key limes are a slice of Florida's citrus legacy. The beloved fruit is known for its petite size and bold flavor. And has paved the way for one of the most popular pies around. But you may be surprised to learn that Key Limes are not native to the Sunshine State—in fact, they are not even native to North America!
The Fruit
"There is nothing like the Key Lime, its aroma and flavor," says Dr. Jonathan Crane, tropical fruit crop specialist at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences.
Contrary to its name, the Key Lime is not from the Florida Keys.
According to Dr. Crane, the Key Lime arrived in Florida from the tropics of Southeast Asia.
"The Key Lime was carried by the Arabs across North Africa into Spain and Portugal and brought to the Americas by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the early sixteenth century. The lime became naturalized throughout the Caribbean, the east coast of Mexico, Central America, tropical areas of South America, and the Florida Keys," explains Dr. Crane.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says lime production, similar to other citrus fruits, has always been limited in the United States because of weather. Historically, the main production areas were in South Florida. The key lime variety was introduced to the Florida Keys as early as 1838. Hence, the name is most commonly used in the United States.
Small commercial plantings started in the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County. Key Limes were shipped from the Florida Keys as far back as 1895.
Appearing in an edition of The Florida Agriculturist from the late 1800s, "Limes are now being shipped in large quantities, the bulk of them going to Eastern markets via Key West and steamer. Limes are bringing extraordinarily good prices ... some selling as high as $2 per peck crate."
Key Limes were grown commercially in Florida until the Great Miami Hurricane in 1926, which demolished the groves. Then, a disease called citrus canker also devastated the fruit's production.
"Florida's total lime production peaked in 1985/86, with 152 million pounds, equal to just over 1 percent of the 10,710 million pounds of oranges produced during the same period," says the USDA.
Dr. Crane explains that after the Key Lime was attacked by citrus canker and other bacteria, growers in Florida started removing their groves. "It caused the death of over 300,000 acres of citrus.
Today, most Key Limes are commercially produced in Mexico. "There is little to no commercial Key Lime production in Florida, although it remains a popular home landscape fruit tree," according to Dr. Crane's studies.
The Pie
Many people believe the world-famous Key Lime Pie originated in the Florida Keys, while others credit its start in kitchens in New York. Some also think it traveled from the Bahamas or Haiti.
In 2006, the Florida legislature named Key Lime Pie the official state pie.
Key West has dozens of pie shops, including the Key Lime Pie Co. The local company says their pie recipe was created in the early 20th century from small fruit, made popular by local fishermen, and gained recognition nationwide.
Key Lime Pie Co.'s website says it uses a family recipe that has been loved and shared for decades. They continue a legacy of hand-making their 100-year-old recipe fresh daily using all-natural ingredients, real key lime juice, and a handmade graham cracker crust.
"Everyone wants to take credit for the pie. There is even a place in Charleston, South Carolina that calls themselves the inventors," says Geoff Repella, President of Kermit's Key Lime Shop.
In 2023, the Florida Keys celebrated its 200 birthday with the world's largest Key Lime Pie. Kermit's Key Lime Shop created a pie over 13 feet wide, with a graham cracker crust and fluffy whipped cream topping.
"It wasn't very pretty, but it tasted great. We were using boat rowers to mix it," jokes Repella. "We have a very simple recipe; it is just a matter of putting love into it. We use graham crackers, condensed milk, egg and double-strength Key Lime juice. We only use Key Lime juice in our pies and products."
The recipe comes from the grandmother of Kermit Carpenter.
Kermit, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, says his grandmother made it for him as a kid. For 30 years, he has carried on the tradition of making pies and treats at the Key West flagship shop.
Rapella says, "If that shows how long this recipe we have been using has been around. His grandmother was in Maryland, so her recipe isn't even from a Floridan!"
He continues, "Our key Lime juice is specially grown for us, bottled in DeLand and available for purchase. Double-strength juice is more concentrated, which helps keep the pie firm but still adds the tart taste you want from the limes."
"Everyone loves the Key Lime Pie. It is our top seller, followed by our Pie on a Stick. I think it is because it's light and feels healthy but still something you indulge in. It just feels clean and not too rich," says Repella. "We have a great local and tourist following. We have a lot of visitors that come by annually as their last stop, and they package a frozen pie to take home, which is amazing!"
Kermit's Key Lime Pies can be purchased and shipped nationwide. They arrive overnight, frozen. The Key Lime Shop shipped over 2,000 pies for Thanksgiving.
As far as who gets credit for inventing the Key Lime pie, Repella doesn't know for sure. But he offers one solution, "Just eat more pie!" ¦
