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There are some people in this country who will never know the plight that the average American suffers. On Monday we found the latest member of that exclusive club: Ms. Martha Stewart.
For the last few weeks the United States has been brought to its knees by a lime shortage. Vodka tonics in our country's great drinking establishments have gone un-garnished, bowls of delicious phở have been served without that acidic (and necessary) kick, and Cinco De Mayo (and its margaritas) is under threat.
To many people these are very real problems, but to a god like Martha Stewart these are just problems for the basic. Just how unbothered is Martha Stewart by this lime shortage? This much:
The lime shortage is real
As with much of North America, Mexico, the world's largest producer of limes, had a terrible winter and "severe rains knocked the blossoms off lime trees in many areas, reducing lime exports to the United States by two-thirds," The New York Times reported.
That drove up the price of limes, and restaurant owners had to pay up or do without the limes. That's the reason your friendly neighborhood Mexican joint's fish tacos feel a little off, and why the Matador bar in Fullerton, Calif. is offering a margarita for a quarter in exchange for a bag of limes. "A 40-pound crate of Mexican limes has been fetching more than $100 wholesale, four times the typical seasonal price," The Wall Street Journal explained, noting that "Mexican limes are commanding a higher price than Mexican crude oil."
Look at all those limes Martha Stewart juiced
There are over 10 full limes in that picture, which means that Martha Stewart could purchase Mexico's entire supply of crude oil. Okay, just kidding. But there is something comical and special about Stewart's blatant (and unintentional?) disregard for the nation's lime shortage.
What did she do with the limes?
The only clue we have is that these juiced limes were for business, not pleasure. "Juicing #limes in the office today," the Instagram post reads.
Was it a Key lime pie? Garnishes for a summer cocktail photo spread? A limeade that she'll save for later while she reads the comments bemoaning the country's lack of limes? Maybe it's just because she can? No one knows, and that's the best part.
When will this shortage end?
Not before Cinco De Mayo. Experts tell the Huffington Post to expect high-priced limes for the next four to five months — the time it takes for the crops to recover. By that time, we fully expect Martha Stewart to flaunt some other facet of her extravagant (and enviable) lifestyle.
Correction: In my rush to admire Martha Stewart's lime privilege, I counted halves as whole limes. That's been edited and clarified.
