Citrus is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae. Plants in the genus produce citrus fruits, including important crops such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and limes.
The genus Citrus is native to South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Melanesia, and Australia. Various citrus species have been used and domesticated by indigenous cultures in these areas since ancient times. From there its cultivation spread into Micronesia and Polynesia by the Austronesian expansion (c. 3000–1500 BCE); and to the Middle East and the Mediterranean (c. 1200 BCE) via the incense trade route, and onwards to Europe and the Americas.
Citrus fruits include many types of fruits, such as lemons, limes, grapefruit, and several types of oranges. Fruits in the citrus family grow on evergreen trees or shrubs. They have fairly thick skins and pulpy flesh that’s divided into segments.
Lemons, limes, and oranges are believed to have come from Asia before gradually making their way to other parts of the world. The oldest lemons in Rome date back to the first century B.C., where they were reserved for the elite.
Lemons and limes eventually made their way to the United States in the 16th century. Oranges also arrived around the same time, brought by Christopher Columbus and his crew on his second expedition. Grapefruits weren’t discovered until the 18th century, and the first cultivated grapefruits were planted in Florida in the 19th century.
Citrus fruits come in a variety of sizes, vibrant colors, and incredible scents. They provide many health benefits, from boosting your immune system to reducing your risk of heart disease.
Lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges are high in phytonutrients, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols. These nutrients are types of antioxidants and give the fruits their bright colors and strong scents. They can also help protect your body and prevent many health issues.
Here is some famous citrus fruits in the world.
1. Jaffa Orange
Originally developed by Arab farmers, Jaffa orange is an Israeli orange variety grown in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The orange is believed to have been developed through a mutation of the baladi orange variety back in the mid-19th century near Jaffa, an ancient Palestinian port city that soon became the main center of production and export of the fruit, thereby lending it its name.
Also known as shamouti orange or Jaffa shamouti orange, the fruit is oval-shaped with a thick skin that surrounds the sweet and moderately juicy flesh. This orange contains only a few seeds and is highly appreciated for its tough, yet easy-to-peel skin which gives the fruit its long shelf life.
2. Koum Kouat Kerkyras
Brought to Corfu from China in the 19th century, this kumquat (Fortunella margarita) quickly adapted to the mild climate of the island. The harvesting season lasts from January to May. They are traditionally harvested by hand, and only fruit that has reached full ripeness and is free of defects is collected.
Every part of the fruit can be eaten– the peel has a sweet flavor while the pulp is sour. This 'golden orange' is the only citrus fruit that can be eaten with its peel, which is very rich in essential oils and vitamin C. It low in calories but rich in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants.
3. Limone di Sorrento
Also known as Limone di Massa Lubrense or Massese, named after a small community of villages settled at the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula, these fragrant lemons are derived from the local ecotype Ovale di Sorrento and grown in the province of Naples since the Renaissance.
The first lemon trees were planted by the Jesuits in the 18th century, and one of the very first cultivars named Gesù still exists today in the Guarazzanno Basin, between Sorrento and Massa Lubrense. Due to a special cultivation technique, Limone di Sorrento can bear fruit up to five times a year, which makes this variety available year round.
