In Florida, Color Tells You Everything About Key Lime Pie - Tasting Table

"Contrary to common misconception, Key lime pie isn't green by default. This long-held belief stems all the way back to the early 20th century, when Florida tourism started booming, and the pie became a visitor staple. Tourists conflated the green color of Key lime with the color of the pie. Meanwhile, yellow versions were dismissed as many thought they had been made from lemon."

"In truth, Key limes are only green at first, but later on turn yellow when they ripen, and the juice is often clear and colorless. This renders it impossible to achieve that green hue naturally. Realistically, Key lime pie is creamy yellow, primarily from the egg yolks that are mixed with sweetened condensed milk and lime juice."

"Stick to a graham cracker crust, preferably made from scratch. Ensure that it's a perfect balance of pie-crust-solid and tender-moist, with a buttery undertone that supports the filling's zesty vibrancy. The lime, of course, is no less crucial."

Key lime pie's iconic green color is a misconception stemming from early 20th-century Florida tourism. Tourists conflated the green color of unripe Key limes with the pie itself, leading sellers to add artificial food coloring to meet expectations. In reality, Key limes turn yellow when ripe, and their juice is clear and colorless, making natural green coloring impossible. Authentic Florida Key lime pie is creamy yellow, deriving its color from egg yolks combined with sweetened condensed milk and lime juice. This explains why commercial versions like Trader Joe's are yellow. Authentic Key lime pie also requires specific elements including a graham cracker crust and genuine Key limes for proper flavor.

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