Australian finger limes have hit the UK market, heading for top restaurants and events around the country.
The first tray of the premium product was received by Uniagro on Tuesday, and the company hopes volumes will increase considerably to satisfy demand.
The citrus fruit is commercially grown by Finger Limeing Good Pty Ltd, which has a network of growers stretching down the east coast of Australia, with all of its growers accredited by stringent production standards equivalent to GlobalGAP levels.
More than 75 distinct varieties of the product have been identified during the last 10 years of research and development into finger limes.
Michelin-starred restaurants are now embracing the fruit and using it in a myriad of ways, including accompanying champagne and in Asian dipping sauces.
The fruit, which is said to “have the appearance of caviar” when opened, has pulp of various colours including pink, green, burgundy and yellow.
A number of well-known restaurants are currently using the product, which is available until the season’s end in May, including Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat' Saison, which sources the product through Oakleaf European Ltd.
Phil Morris of Uniagro told freshinfo: “Quality is excellent and the first quantities have a very distinctive pink pulp.
“The marketing campaign will be focused on the high-end foodservice and hospitality sectors as well as potentially some niche retailers.”
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