I consider myself a bit of a feeder and a sharer as opposed to just an eater. If I like something I’ll morph into a Mama that adopts an accent and tells people “You gotta try this. Eat! You’re wasting away!” (I do a great NY accent borne from watching every episode of Seinfeld several times). I love sharing my food with others and the motive behind it is to have the recipient share in the joy of what I’ve just eaten. And I don’t really understand the people that just don’t want to share or shake their head when you offer them something. They’re just missing out on a fabulous sensory experience as far as I can see.
When a friend tried the same on me with a finger lime butter I was only to happy to try it. I believe that she bought it from this place although I’m not 100% certain. Their website reads “We knew we had made something special when we introduced this product at the Pyrmont growers market & found ourselves witnessing a rush of 8 people for the last 5 jars of the very first batch of Finger Lime Curd which resulted in an argument between the 4 last people to grab a jar…”. I have a sneaking suspicion that my friend was involved in this mini food riot. Finger limes are one of those fruit that are let’s be honest a little bit different from other fruit. Finger shaped (although more stubby finger than an actual finger), when you cut them open you reveal tiny caviar type beads of lime. They aren’t possible to juice like a regular lime and the caviar itself is quite firm with a satisfying pop to it.
I’ve made all sorts of butters or curds before including mandarin, lime, lemon and passionfruit so I knew that making some would only be a matter of time. I made a regular lime curd and then sliced open some finger limes and just kept adding and adding until I thought that the distribution of finger lime caviar was just about right. You could put in less of course but this recipe is a bit like me, a bit over the top. And I don’t need to morph into a Mama to tell you that these make an excellent gift for a lucky someone.
So tell me Dear Reader, are you a feeder or an eater?
Finger Lime Caviar Butter
- 200grams caster or superfine sugar
- 55g/2ozs butter
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 100mls/3.5 fl. ozs. lime juice
- 4 finger limes
Buyer’s tip: Finger limes are native to the border region of NSW and Queensland. They can be found at gourmet green grocers.
1. With a fine microplane grater, grate the zest from the finger limes (the skin is very fine, just grate the green and don’t grate the white part). In a small saucepan, whisk eggs. Place sugar, zest and butter in the saucepan and heat on low. It will take about 20 minutes total to heat up the mixture slowly and thicken it. Stir frequently so that it doesn’t catch on the bottom of the saucepan.
2. In the meantime cut the limes in half lengthways and using your fingers, remove all the tiny caviar pearls and place in a bowl. When the butter is ready, smooth and thick stir in the finger lime caviar. Place in a sterilised jar* and enjoy with a spoon.
*Sterilise jar by boiling the jar, lid and seal for 10 minutes.
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71 Comments | Add your own
This looks delicious! And I am definitely a feeder!
I’ve never had finger limes nor have seen them in stores… That curd is fabulous! I love it’s caviar texture.
Cheers,
Rosa
Yum that curd looks delicious. I’d have to say I’m a feeder (although I do my share of eating)
This looks amazing – I love citrus curds but have never seen finger limes…I’m both, I love sharing because I figure then I can taste more too, and yes, I want to be able to discuss it in excrutiating detail and that can’t happen unless we’ve both eaten it. I don’t think I know anyone that won’t share though, or maybe I’ve just culled them all ;P
Finger limes? I’ve never seen that before!
I’ve never seen finger limes before, they are so pretty. The pulp looks like little beads of green caviar
I am a feeder AND an eater. I am so bad!!!!!!!
I’m a feeder – courtesy of my mother. When guests are at our house Mum will never let them say they have ‘had enough.’ Luckily Dad is a very good cook so they are usually polite about having to stuff themselves silly. As a result of being a feeder, I always over cater and over order!
Well I’m definitely a feeder – a nurturer with food in a big way.. it’s a disease!
I think you are too – definitely!
That does look really yummy. Hmmm must pick myself up some finger limes or ask a certain aunt if she can send me some
Great post!
Definitely a feeder AND eater! And I would gladly have that finger lime caviar butter any day!
Wow I have never even SEEN these limes before….BRILLIANT idea though!!!!
I am definitely a feeder! Mr BBB always tells me that he never ate sweets or baked treats before he met me and that I have ruined his waistline
Definitely a feeder – my workmates will attest to that. I’ve brought variations of brownies in for them the last 3 weeks and they love them!
This recipe looks great by the way- I love finger limes
Thanks for sharing!
OMG, when I was in Melbourne this spring, I had my first experience with finger limes at a produce market there. I’d never seen them before. They are glorious — with a fragrance like kaffir lime. Oh my, I just wanted to dab some behind my ears. I also thought it was so interesting that the limes have no real juice, just those caviar-like cell sacks loaded with citrus-floral flavor. I sure wish I could get my hands on some here.
I am a feeder. My best friend thinks I try to fatten up everyone I know on purpose. I disagree, food is awesome when you share.
This looks great – I love citrus, so I am sure I’d like this. I had never heard of finger limes until yesterday when I read Duncan of Syrup & Tang’s post on finger lime macarons – and now here they are again!
I must make this. It looks amazing.
I want some of this as soon as possible.
I’ve never eaten finger limes but i LOVE lime and i LOVE roe. So i assume these will be amazing. I’ve wanted to get some for the longest time too but wasn’t sure what I would do with them once I got them…
I never knew it was that easy to make a flavoured butter or curd.
Yay to easy (and awesome) Christmas presents!
Lorraine this looks and sounds right up this feeder/eaters alley! I’m dropping into Harris Farm thismorning so if I see these limes I’m picking some up just for this. Thanks for the recipe! Nice use of a native fruit
Gorgeous idea, Lorraine. I have never seen them in the us… now I want to see where I can find them… love the idea of caviar beads of lime in all that unctuous buttery sweet goodness. This recipe is a keeper!
Oh what a big sigh of relief I let go of when I discovered that the caviar refers to the lime pulp! I was all ready to groan about another lovely recipe with “meat” in it!!!
)
)
Lime butter sounds delish, so i’ll definitely have to give this a try. Thanks.
I’d have to say that I’m probably both a feeder and eater, with leanings more toward eater!
Yes I love to feed others – which is very frustrating with a baby – I begin to understand the stereotype of mothers saying eat eat eat (I always think of Jon’s mother from Garfield) because kids are so fickle and stubborn! Never tried these finger limes but you make them seem intriguing
I always hear about finger limes but I’ve never come across one. I’ll have to hunt them down. I think I’m both a feeder and an eater – I love to share and try everything and always offer a taste of my choice. I feel terribly guilty if someone chooses a dish that doesn’t turn out to be very good and always offer to go halves just so they can enjoy the place too!
Yum, have just put this on my facebook page so everyone gets to spread the love!
I love lemon curd so can only imagine the lime curd would be delicious too.
I am a feeder as well- but like to taste the fruits of my labour too.
Wow! I’ve NEVER seen a finger lime, let alone the beautiful ‘caviar’ inside! I would love to make this but this is not available in Malaysia!I can imagine how wonderful it’ll taste, popping in one’s mouth!I’ve tried making lemon curd.Hm, must try mandarin during the chinese new year season! Am definitely a FEEDER.With many voluntary ‘guinea pigs’,I’ve always the excuse to bake!Thoroughly enjoy and learn much from your blog.Keep it up!
I think I’m definitely a feeder, although that part of me has been dormant for awhile because of a lack of having opportunities to feed people. Having travelled for all those months, then having had surgery and no job and now moving out, life has been a bit busy for baking and feeding!
But I’m always sneaking up on family and friends and ordering them to try “this amazing chocolate I just opened!”
Do the little crisp balls stay intact, or do they pop when you put them into the curd?
I’d have to say I am a feeder and an eater. I love sharing food with other people but I also enjoy it myself.
The lime curd looks SO delicious. I adore limes. I will have to try this.
Eater here!! it looks so great, tasty.. yummy.. it’s like i can taste it in my mouth!
I love finger limes. Have not seem them in shops here yet, only at Tambourine markets.
I’m a feeder and an eater.
I’m definately a feeder. I love to make people happy with food. I have a finger lime tree in my garden. They are stumpy and spiky!-but delicious..
Just don’t try to put then in a Gin and Tonic, as it’s not as elegant to chew your drink to get the limyness.
I am definitely a feeder. There is nothing better than making food for people. My presents at birthdays always come in food-form! The recipe looks delicious, I am obsessed with lemon curd so I will be making this soon.
Fantastic! I have a finger lime tree that produces lots of fruit that goes to waste – will definitely try this. The “caviar” is also great in gin and tonics
Oh, and I’m a feeder who tries hard NOT to be an eater.
I live in Melbourne and grow a little fingerlime tree in my garden, so thank you for the recipe. How long will the curd keep opened/unopened?
We also use the lime caviar to decorate desserts, and as a savory topping to seafood ravioli in a kaffir lime/cream sauce.
oh yum it looks so pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Corrie:)
Wow.. those finger lime look so cool! And the ‘caviar’ butter idea is brilliant! I wish i could find some of these babies. And i want to hear that NY accent!
I adore finger limes! We had a relative in the trade for a while, and he used to get us multi-coloured containers of them. Fabulous in champagne!
Wow! Looks and sounds divine! Will have to hunt for finger limes when I get to Sydney next month!! No such luck for such interesting ingredients in Perth.
Lorraine one thing you have to try and that is substituting normal limes with finger limes in alcoholic drinks…. ooohhh yyyeees they are sub”lime”, he hee pardon the pun.
haven’t seen finger lime before
looks cute.. wondering if it’s sour like normal lime??
I’ve bought the fingerlime curd you mentioned a number of times! Love it on a toasted slab of Bill Grainger’s Coconut Bread (google for recipe). Its like an island holiday for your mouth!
I have never seen these before.I make lime curd (whoops, I spelled it crud!) I love it on Ginger Gems hot from the oven.
I make my Curds in the microwave.
I put one in my garden a couple of years ago, now I have a freezer full of finger limes – they actually do freeze pretty well, unlike other citrus that goes mushy.
I’d love some ideas for them, though! I often put them through potato salad … gorgeous explosive lime bombs!
what cool limes! incidentally, i think i’m a feeder and an eater, sometimes both at once. also, i’d love to hear your ny accent–i’m sure it’s fierce.
I love a good citrus butter. I was really happy when my mother sent me a jar when I was at uni and I consumed it within 2 days. I was then sad again.
So beautiful! I knew I should have bought some when I saw a basket of finger limes at my local Thomas Dux – oh well, next time! I’m a feeder through and through, I’d cook more cakes and sweets if I had enough people to eat them!
I want to pop those caviar-like beads in my mouth
I’m def a feeder – laaave it when I see people enjoying the food…and yeah, def dont feel too happy (a bit heartbroken actually..heh) when ppl turn down something yummy that i offer!
I am both. I feed and I eat. Have to give and take!
I have to admit, at the start of this post I had no idea what you were talking about! In fact I still didn’t get the caviar reference until you plain and simply explained that the innards of the “finger lime” (which I also have never heard of!) looked like caviar
It does sound delicious though… and I have to admit, I think I am a little more of an eater than a sharer!! *oink*
What a fun post. I’ve never heard of a finger lime before. I love anything citrus, so you could feed this to me any time. xoxo Mum
I’m a feeder, but with my eater instinct coming up the rear. That is sensational – thanks for the recipe. I’m one of the people who bought the finger lime curd in multiple jars and ate it straight from the jar, so I can attest to the absolute more-ishness of those gorgeous little popping lime delights!
As much as I enjoy eating…especially dessert…my joy absolutely comes from making food preps for others. It’s quite addictive when I recieve the oohs and ahhs. It does admittedly fuel me.
Your lime fingers are incredibly original. Never have seen these before. Thanks for sharing the uniqueness of this recipe.
Flavourful wishes, Claudia
I am loving your blog first off!
I’m definately a feeder, my husband gained 30 pounds the first 6 months we were together. If I try a new recipe and love it I invite friends over “Oh you gotta try this!” And a few of the most recent have been gleaned from here.
I love to feed people.
I’ve never even seen a finger lime! Nor heard of it. Amazing. You’d think they’d be in our markets in Florida.
I loved this post, Lorraine, and am certainly going to ask around for these!
Great to learn about finger limes, what a neat ingredient! The butter with them sounds incredible!
I didn’t even know there were such things as a finger lime. I wonder how I can work that into a conversation and brag about my knowledge…;-)
I’m a feeder. I love to eat, but I do not like others to cook for me. Nope, my mentality is: “I do the cooking. You can do the treating to a nice restaurant, but you are NOT cooking for me.”
Finger limes have to be without a doubt the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while! (You always have the most unique posts, Lorraine!) This butter sounds fantastic, I bet it would be divine with roasted corn on the cob.
Me too, a feeder and eater! The finger lime is something I have never seen before. The pearl shaped pulp is really intriguing. I bet the curd tastes awesome!
LOVE lime, and only recently heard of finger limes…not widely available unfortunately. This curd looks fantastic. Now to find the limes…
does anyone know where to get those jars?
I’m both a feeder & eater. Wish I was just a feeder with my ever increasing waistline.
Yum, I love curds, & finger limes are so unusual, just my type of thing.
I think I’m both a feeder and an eater! Those finger limes are the cutest thing I’ve seen all week! Love the perfectly spherical sacs.
I didn’t even know that finger limes existed! Pretty cool!
feeder. Obviously.
But I whine about it.
I would love to make this (lime and lemon are my favourite flavours) but I am pretty sure I would not be able to source the limes here. Up until 5 years ago the local grocers had no idea what rocket was…
awww…that looks good…but i don’t think i’ve seen it here in Canberra yet =_=
ohhh FABulous Lorraine! i lovvvve the idea of this, who would have thought you could add more perfection to lime curd ( a delight itself). Any hints on where to get finger limes cheapish in Sydney??
i’m an eater. and a feeder. well, i feed my husband, at least.
i’m very curious about these finger limes. i would love to try them.
Hi Maria-hehe you and me both!
Hi Rosa-I think they’re native to Australia. Would be amazing if you could try them!
Hi Linda-Thankyou! hehe yes eating comes a close second
Hi Sasa-Yes this is true, but I think I love feeding just that little bit more
Haha I like that! 
Hi pigpigscorner-If you ever do get to try them do!
Hi Heavenly Housewife-They’re so unusual aren’t they! Hehe not at all!
Hi Gastronomy Gal-Ahh maybe that’s where i get it? Hehe I’m like that too!
Hi Liss-hehe we are both the same!
Absolutely, I bet she would! 
Hi Trissa-Thankyou!
Hi Lisa-thankyou! They can be hard to find depending on the area
Aahh but I think he loves it too!
Hi Heidi-Hehe they must love you!
You’re welcome!
Hi Carolyn-Ahh of course! I’m so glad that you got to try them!
Hi Wretchdz-Aww it’s just about sharing isn’t it!
Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou! I think they’re in season now
Hi Mary-thankyou!
Hi elise-Thanks!
Yes if you love both I think you would really like these 
Great idea!
Hi john-hehe so true!
Fantastic, I hope you like it 
Hi deana-I wonder if there are any growers that do them in the US? thankyou!
Hi Pam-Haha not salty caviar!
Ahh well there’s all sorts of recipes here.
Hi Johanna-Ahh yes! You have only so many hands! They’re wonderful!
Hi Shan-Yes me too! I always offer everyone a taste of what I have. Aww you are so sweet!
Hi Bev-Fantastic, thankyou!
Hi sandra-Thankyou! This has the added pop of the beads!
Ahh true!
Hi minibaker-They’re really unique aren’t they! I know, but perhaps someone will grow them there
Hehe yes so true! Thankyou! 
Hi Hannah-hehe me too
Oh no, but now you have the kitchen! 
Hi Bernadette-No they stay intact and suspended in the curd
Hi delicieux-hehe a good balance
I hope you like it!
Hi jaylee-Hehe the crucial partner to the feeder!
Hi Barbara-They mostly make it into markets or greengrocers I think!
Hi InTolerantChef-Me too
Oh you are so lucky! 
hehe good point!
Hi Loll-I love doing it too
What a great gift giver you are! fantastic, I hope you like it! 
Hi michelle-Thankyou!
Oh really? I think that can really happen when you have a tree. There also aren’t a lot of recipes using them. hehe! 
Hi Lisa-Oh you’re welcome!
I think maybe a week or two as there aren’t any preservatives 
Oooh lovely! 
Hi corrie-Thankyou!
Hi zenchef-Thanks so much!
Haha!
Hi Celia-Yes they have the pink caviar beads too-so cool!
I like that idea! 
Hi Winnie-Thankyou!
Yes best try these when you come here 
Hi An Expats Wife-Hehe!
Haha yes if I get a hold of some more I will! 
Hi YW-it’s sour yes like regular lime
Hi Amanda-Ahh cool!
Yes coconut would be so gorgeous with it!
Hi Fiona-Oooh what are ginger gems? I don’t think I’ve tried those?
Hi Carol-Ahh that is good to know that they freeze well!
Oooh that does sound gorgeous! 
Hi grace-hehe you’re ambidextrous!
haha I would immodestly say that it is pretty good! 
Hi Mark-hehe by the spoonful?
Hi Moya-Thankyou!
Yes I saw them at Thomas Dux too! Ahh what a sahme!
Hi Vivienne-hehe that’s the best way to eat them!
I know, I don’t like it when people say no 
Hi penny-hehe a bit of both!
Hi catty-Yes they’re unusual aren’t they. They’re so good! haha but you don’t look it!
Hi Barbara-Thankyou!
Ahh next time you come to Australia I’ll make sure you get some mum! xxx
Hi Karen-you’re more than welcome!
Hehe I think it definitely has that moreish potential!
Hi Claudia-yes it’s great isn’t it!
I know what you mean! 
Hi Chocoholic-Thankyou so much!
Oh that’s fantastic, you sound like a great cook! 
Hi Blond Duck-hehe me too!
Hi Barbara-I wonder if anyone will start growing them near you?
Thankyou so much!
Hi Natasha-they’re great aren’t they!
Hi sophia-I know, they’re native to Australia but perhaps someone will grow them near you!
haha you are too funny! 
hey that’s cool!
Hi Faith-Aren’t they just?
Thankyou so much Faith! 
Hi shirley-thanks! I love the popping sensation!
Hi Tenina-I know, they’re delicious but can be a little hard to find!
Hi Melanie-I think I bought them from a variety store
Hi Portuguese Kitchen-yes I wish I were less of an eater!
Hi Su-Lin-I know, they’re so cute!
Hi erin-They’re amazing aren’t they!
Hi Kelley-hehe you are hilarious! Really? Seriously?
Hi Yuki-Oh no, maybe soon? I think they’re in season now!
Hi Julia-thankyou!
I know, it’s like adding the sensation! I have seen them at Thomas Dux although I don’t think they’re very cheap 
Hi clearlytangled-Hehe I bet he loves it!
They’re really unique!
one of the things i love about your photos is that your nails are always painted. it’s such a cute touch
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