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- Among the citrus varieties grown in the United States, oranges are the most popular.oranges image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
As a plant genus, citrus is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia. Citrus seeds and seedlings were brought to the New World by early Spanish explorers. Citrus is grown commercially in Florida, California, Arizona and Texas. Grapefruit, lemons, oranges and at one time limes, comprise the bulk of the citrus trees and fruit growing in the United States. Of the four, oranges, specifically referred to as sweet oranges, have the greatest number varieties. - Sweet oranges, (Citrus sinensis) comprise a large variety of individual types, including Hamlin, Valencia, temple and pineapple sweet. Of these, the thin-skinned Valencia orange constitutes the bulk of those processed into orange juice. Most sweet oranges contain many seeds. Navel orange varieties; such as Washington navel, dream, Atwood, Fisher and Carter; contain few. Because they peel and section easily, navel oranges lend themselves to being eaten fresh. A separate type of sweet orange is the blood orange, which has red flesh. Varieties include moro, sanguinelli and tarocco, as well as a red navel orange, named cara cara.
- Before citrus canker wiped out commercial lime cultivation in the United States, Florida growers cultivated three varieties. The most prevalent was Tahiti lime, (Citrus latifolia) often called Persian lime. A wedge of the fruit is used to garnish several different cocktails. A second variety, the key lime, (Citrus aurantiifolia) or Mexican lime was also grown. Unlike the deep-green skin of a Tahiti lime, the skin of a key lime is a pale yellowish-green. The juice of key limes is used to create key lime pie. A third variety, Mandarin lime, (Citrus limonia) was also grown commercially.
- Lemons (Citrus limon) probably originated in India, according to a paper published by Texas A&M University. They were also introduced to North America by Spanish explorers. Varieties include the heavily seeded eureka, Lisbon, bearss, Avon and Harvey, as well as introduced species such as Meyer. While commonly referred to as a lemon, the giant Ponderosa lemon is thought to be a genetic oddity. Ponderosa "lemons" remain popular because of their size, which may reach as big as a football and tip the scales at more than 5 lbs.
- Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) is thought to be an accidental citrus hybrid that originated somewhere in the Caribbean. In the United States, Florida is the major producer of commercially grown fruit. Grapefruit can be broken down into two categories: those with pink flesh and those with white. White varieties include Duncan and Foster, which both contain as many as 50 seeds. Seedless white varieties include marsh and paradise navel. Red grapefruit varieties include redblush, star ruby and Thompson, which is sometimes referred to as pink marsh.
Sweet Oranges
Limes
Lemons
Grapefruit
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