As a result of a cancelled contract, 60 lime trees found themselves with 'no fixed abode'.
What else could Anthony and Allison do but take them home and plant them on their own property.
Despite warnings they would not survive the Hawkes Bay frosts, they responded to the careful nurturing they received, and did produce fruit. And more fruit.
Initally, Anthony and Allison took the limes to the local Farmer's Market, where they were snapped up by customers, eager to enjoy the wonderful taste of this fruit. Then, as a result of a comment they should 'add value' to their fruit, an experimental chutney and dressing were created, and taken to the market to gain customer feedback, and thus a new direction emerged and St Andrews Limes was born. The rest is history - as the saying goes.
St Andrews Limes is an innovative company, crafting tasty products, based around the delightful lime.
Their range now encompasses 19 different products, all expressing their own particular characteristic - from a tangy curd in your dessert, a chutney on the side for meat, or a cordial for those hot summer days.
No matter what the level of culinary skill, there is something for everyone to embellish a dish - to 'turn the ordinary into something with that extra zing'. Dressings, chutneys, condiments, curds, cordial, pure juice ..... the products are handmade in small batches to retain that artisan quality and freshness. Special attention is given to creating products 'just like Mum used to make', and thus no stabilisers, emulsifiers, or preservatives are added. All but one product are gluten free.
This year, St Andrews Limes are adding pure lemon juice to the range. Having been asked for it on countless occasions, it is now going to happen. Also on the 'drawing board', are a couple of new, very exciting products. Cannot say much yet - but keep your eyes open.

The Food Show Auckland