Whole Black Lime

Black lime is a lime that has been sun-dried until it has lost all its water and turned rock hard. Popular in the Persian Gulf, it is intensely sour and gives dishes a uniquely earthy and slightly bitter type of acidity. You can harness the lime's flavour in different ways: pierce holes in it and add it to a broth or stew for a milder flavour, or soak and finely chop the whole lot to add an intense hit of earthy acidity.