CITRUS

Citrus fruits of one variety or another are available year-round from California, Florida and Arizona. Most citrus growers buy their trees from a nursery that is certified disease- free. Seeds produce root stock that is disease resistant and at two to three years, a bud from a mature tree is grafted onto the bark of a seedling rootstock. The bud eventually takes hold and becomes a new tree. In five years, the tree produces the same variety of fruit that was budded onto the rootstock. There are approximately 250,000 acres of citrus grown in California.

The orange and lemon can be traced to the ancient Middle East. In ancient Sanskrit language, the orange and lemon were called “Nagrunga” and “Nimbu” and their nectar was used as a drink and medicine. The Arabs called oranges “Naranji” while the Romans called them “Arancium.” All navel oranges are related to each other and can be traced back to the Washington navel tree that remains standing today in Riverside, California. Eliza Tibbets, a Riverside pioneer, is credited with planting California’s first two Washington navel trees in 1873. The resulting sweet seedless oranges helped launch Southern California’s modern citrus industry.


Navel oranges, distinctive by the button end, are winter oranges available November through May. Navel oranges are seedless and known for their sweet taste. Valencias, known for juicing as well as eating fresh, are available February through November. Lemons, white grapefruit and ruby red grapefruit are available year-round. Desert grapefruit can be found June through July, while summer grapefruit are found June through September.

Almost a dozen different Mandarin tangerine varieties such as
Clementines are available November through May. Specialty citrus include Melogolds and Oroblancos, grapefruit varieties that are popular with those preferring a sweeter flavored grapefruit. Pummelos, or “Chinese” grape-fruit, the largest of the citrus fruits and considered a delicacy by many Asian cultures; Moro or “blood” oranges, so named for their deep burgundy flesh; and Cara Caras, a variety of pink-fleshed navels.