How Long Do Limes Last?

How long do limes last? The shelf life of limes depends on a variety of factors. Since there is not usually a sell by date the only date you can go by is the purchased date or picked date. Because of their relatively low cost, long shelf life and extremely high concentration of vitamin C; limes are a tangy addition to many foods and drinks.

So, how long do limes last?

When properly stored, the shelf life of fresh limes past their sell by date is approximately ...

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Limes Expiration Date

Counter Refrigerator
Fresh Limes last for 2-4 Weeks 1-2 Months
Cut Limes last for Same Day 2-3 Days
Lime Juice (re-sealable bottle (Unopened) lasts for -- 6 Months past date
Lime Juice (re-sealable bottle - Opened) lasts for -- 6 Months from opening, regardless of printed date
Processed Limeade (Unopened) lasts for -- 2 Weeks past printed date
Processed Limeade (Opened) lasts for -- 1-2 Weeks from opening, regardless of date

Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember that limes, like a lot of other fresh fruits, usually do not have a use by date or best before date so you will have to use the date purchased. Sometimes when limes are purchased in a package it is labeled with the date the limes were packed into the container. This date can be used to calculate the eat by date.

How to tell if Limes are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your limes have gone bad beyond the shelf life. Some common traits of bad limes are a soft texture and some discoloration, usually a light brown color will begin to replace the green skin. The lime will also begin to dry out on the inside while this is happening on the outside.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Limes to extend their shelf life?

You can help limes keep fresh longer by storing them in your refrigerator drawer. If limes were purchased in a plastic bag, remove them from the bag which could have trapped moisture which will cause the limes to soften and spoil.

Once limes are prepared or cut, they should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Limes:

  • If you need zest, although lime zest is not as common in recipes as lemon, it is made the same way so read our FAQ titled "what is lemon zest" for more information.
  • Limes can also be used to keep apples from turning brown.
  • How long are Limes good for when prepared in a dish?

    How long do limes last? That depends. How long does fish last? In general, limes last only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish.

    What are our shelf life resources?

    In determining how long Limes lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Limes.

    *An important note about expiration dates...

    Although the Limes shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!

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