Red Crystal Finger Lime with red pearls - Microcitrus australasica

The Caviar Lime, Microcitrus or Citrus australasica in Latin, also exists in a red-seeded version that will surprise both on the plate and in the mouth. Rare and sought after, this trendy citrus fruit is coveted by the Chefs of the best restaurants in the world, yet it is still relatively unknown to amateur gardeners, despite its playful appearance and its compact growth, well suited to container cultivation. This small Australian lemon tree produces small white or pink flowers, fragrant, followed by elongated fruits that range in color from red to purple when ripe. Under their fragrant skin lies the 'caviar', small translucent beads that reveal delicious tangy and aromatic flavours. This chic and unusual citrus fruit can be grown in a large container and stored in a greenhouse during winter, or planted directly in the ground in warm regions that are spared from severe frost.

The Citrus or Microcitrus australasica is also known as the 'finger lime' or 'Australian finger lime' due to the appearance of the size of its fruits, which can also resemble pickles. It is a small thorny bush from the Rutaceae family, with a rather upright bushy habit. It is native to eastern Australia, a mild and very humid region. In the wild, it grows in plains, in the undergrowth of humid forests. The natural variability of this species has allowed for the selection of different varieties with different colors, which are available for cultivation, some of which have been named and registered.

This small tree reaches a height of 3 meters and spreads over approximately 2 meters (7 feet) in the ground, but will remain more compact when grown in a pot. Not very hardy, it can be planted in the ground in a narrow coastal strip of the Mediterranean. Elsewhere, it will be grown in a pot and stored at the onset of the first frosts. Cultivated for its leaves and fruits, the Caviar Lime blooms in March-April. It produces pink buds that open into small white to pink flowers, with a sweet and gourmet neroli fragrance, characteristic of Citrus. This citrus fruit takes time to reach maturity, and the fruiting process is rather slow. The flowers give way to cylindrical, finger-shaped fruits, measuring 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long. The skin of the mature fruits can display various shades, ranging from green to almost black, including red, purple, and brown. They contain small juicy and crunchy vesicles that naturally separate from each other like caviar. The fruits are harvested from October to December. They enhance both savory and sweet dishes. The evergreen and aromatic leaves of this citrus measure 1cm (0in) to 6cm (2in) in length and 3mm (0in) to 25mm (1in) in width. They have a very delicate aromatic flavour, used as a spice.

The Red-Seeded Caviar Lime is cultivated frost-free in a slightly acidic, consistently moist soil, and in a humid atmosphere, requirements that are easier to meet in a large pot. Cultivation in the ground is almost a specialist matter for this species, which is frost-sensitive at -3°C (26.6°F). The fruit of the Caviar Lime is a refined and sought-after delicacy, which can reach several hundred euros per kilogram. Like truffles, it should therefore be used sparingly to decorate a plate or flavor a dish. This citrus-condiment adds a pleasant tangy and aromatic note to seafood such as oysters or almonds, for example. It pairs well with the flavor of scallops or thinly sliced salmon fillets prepared as carpaccio. Also incorporate some crunchy beads into fruit salads or cocktails.

Like all Citrus, the Microcitrus contains in its leaves, flowers, and fruits pouches of essential oil that are often visible to the naked eye, from which essential oil with anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties, as well as sedative properties, can be extracted through distillation (flowers and leaves) or pressing (zest), allowing it to fight against stress and insomnia. The fragrance of the essential oil is described as fresh, citrusy, tangy, with green notes.

Most citrus fruits thrive in the ground in Mediterranean coastal regions where they find the necessary warmth throughout the year. However, in order to bear fruit well, they must not lack water or nutrients. Not very hardy, the Caviar Lime begins to suffer from cold temperatures as low as -3°C (26.6°F). It is a self-fertile bush, which means that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting.