Citrus are so good at this time of year! They are refreshing, can be anywhere between sweet, sour or bitter, and they are packed full of Vitamin C! Citrus also have a lot more properties than you would think. For example, just one Navel Orange has more fiber than many bowls of whole grain cereal! Most citrus are a great source of potassium, vitamin A, and vital antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.
There is no dispute that citrus is tasty and healthy, but where did all the varieties come from?
It is believed that all citrus came from four parent fruits: the Pomelo, True Mandarins, Citrons, and Micrantha. Pomelos and True Mandarins were crossed to make Sour Oranges, and those were then crossed with Pomelos to make Sweet Oranges, and those Sweet Oranges were hybridized with Pomelos yet again to reach Grapefruit. Micrantha and Citrons were bred to make Limes. Citrons were crossed with the Sour Orange to create Lemons. The Meyer Lemon is a distinct cross between the Pomelo/Mandarin and a Citron. Lemons and Sour Oranges were crossed to make the Bergamot Orange. Another good one to remember is that Tangerines are a type of Mandarin. Tangelos are a hybrid of a Tangerine and a Pomelo or Grapefruit.
Wow, that’s a lot of history for one category of fruit. How do you choose which one to buy now that you know all this? Here is a list to help you choose the perfect citrus this year. If you can’t decide, don’t be afraid to ask the LifeSource Produce Team to get you a sample. We are more than happy to help you!
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