Citrus Fruits: Benefits and Types

Citrus Fruits

The yellowish citrus fruits, which also give the orange color its name, also function as food, perfume essence or natural cleaning material. We can invite you to the lines below to get to know these crustaceans, which can look sweet and make sour surprises.

Citrus fruits, which are also known as citrus fruits, are consumed in their raw fruit form, are also tasted in olive oil dishes, play a leading role in desserts, compotes and marmalades, are transformed into a room fragrance on the stove with their peels, and into tea with their leaves. Although its homeland is distant lands such as China and India, the citrus fruits that we adopt in the kitchen as a member of our country grow on small trees.

citrus

What is Citrus?

  • Those who ask what citrus fruits mean can get the answer citrus fruits, citrus fruits are called citrus fruits. Fruits with five-part sepals and stone leaves can be seedless or seedless.
  • Citrus trees, which usually bear fruit in winter, are known for their fruits rich in vitamin C. While the citrus fruit is green when it is raw, it can be yellow and orange when ripe.
  • As a result of some grafting, green crops are also obtained in their mature state.
  • The size of the fruit varies according to the species.
  • Citrus products that offer sweet and sour flavors are also grown in our country.

what are citrus fruits

What are the Citrus Varieties?

The question of which fruits are citrus fruits is answered with familiar faces that are often on the table. Orange, lemon, tangerine, citrus, grapefruit and bergamot are members of the same family. Here is the list of citrus fruits!

1) Orange

  • It is an orange citrus variety that enchants with its scent, makes its home in every corner by making fruit juice, and is frequently found in cakes and desserts.
  • Oranges, of which there are about 600 varieties all over the world, are juicy and stone fruits.
  • Orange fruits, eaten by peeling, have a slightly sour-sweet taste.
  • Belledonia (Belladonna), Jaffa, Valencia, Washington, Navel, Blood orange and Tarakko are the most well-known varieties of oranges.
  • One of the most famous orange varieties in our country is the Finike orange.
  • The peels of oranges, which are used in food, jams and marmalades, can also be put into the dish of celery.
  • It can also be included in desserts in harmony with fruit, cloves and cinnamon, which flavor the dishes to which it gives a sour taste.
Orange

2) Lemon

  • With its naturally acidic feature, lemon is known for its sour taste.
  • Lemon fruit, which can be consumed as a fresh fruit or by taking canned juice, also adds flavor to salads and olive oil dishes.
  • The food, which can be mixed with sugar and water as a beverage to make lemonade, also shows up in desserts with its peels.
  • In addition to being a food, it has oil remover and cleaner properties. Surfaces can be easily cleaned when mixed with a few drops of lemon carbonate.
  • The most sour member of citrus fruits, lemon has varieties such as Lisbon, Lime, Kütdiken, Enterdonat, Cyprus and Mayer.
  • The lemon tree, which is a small tree, can be grown at home even in pots; however, proper weather conditions and regular maintenance are essential for the tree to bear fruit.
  • Home grown lemon trees usually do not bear fruit for this reason, they are mostly found in homes for the scent and beautiful appearance of their leaves.
lemon

3) Tangerine

  • Standing out with its evergreen, evergreen tree, tangerine is known for its sweet fruit and easy consumption.
  • It is among the favorites of both the consumer and the producer, with its peel that peels off easily and can be easily produced in the greenhouse.
  • There are seeded and seedless types available.
  • Fruits can be found in orange as well as yellow and green colors.
  • Clementine, Tangor and Satsuma, Owari are the most well-known types of tangerines.
  • Mandarin, which can also be used in making fruit juice, can be made into jam or even pickled.
Mandarin

4) Orange

  • It is a small fruit known for its slightly bitter and sour taste compared to the orange.
  • It is a petite member of the citrus family.
  • Orange, which can be added to desserts by kneading with sugar, can also be eaten as raw fruit.
  • The jam of citrus fruits, which are used in tea making, is also very popular in our country.

5) Grapefruit

  • The citrus fruit, which is a childhood nightmare with its slightly bitter and sour taste, and striking with its red color, is distinguished from other family members with its large size.
  • Grapefruit, which can be drunk by squeezing the juice, can also be consumed fresh.
  • Although it is not often included in desserts due to its bitter taste, grapefruits that can be used in jams can be consumed by mixing with orange from time to time.
  • An easily accessible fruit, grapefruit is known for its Star Ruby, Ruby Red, Henderson, White Marsh and Rio Red varieties.
grapefruit

6) Bergamot

  • The leaves of bergamot, which is the last member of the citrus family with its pear and lemon-like fruit, are usually consumed as tea.
  • Bergamot, which also flavors black and green tea, adorns the shelves among citrus jams.
  • It is preferred by people who are interested in alternative medicine with the benefits of fruit and oil essence, which is frequently used in the fragrance sector.
bergamot

Where Do Citruses Grow?

  • The Mediterranean is the region where citrus and bananas are grown the most. Citrus fruits grown in climates with warm winters like calcareous soil.
  • Mediterranean, Southern Aegean, Southern Marmara coasts are the most suitable parts of Turkey for citrus growing. Antalya and Mersin provinces are Turkey’s largest citrus producers.
  • In the world, China, Brazil, Italy, America, Mexico, India and Egypt can be counted among the largest citrus producers.
  • While citrus fruits are exported mostly from these countries in the world, Turkey meets the majority of its own consumption with the production it makes in Anatolia.

what are citrus fruits

What are the Benefits of Citrus?

  • Among the benefits of citrus fruits, intense calcium content can be counted in the first place. Citrus fruits strengthen bones in this way.
  • Citrus fruits are foods high in vitamins. Especially vitamin C shows a protective effect against colds.
  • It prevents kidney stones and helps to get rid of them.
  • It helps the skin to look young and beautiful.
  • It is a natural antipyretic.
  • It accelerates the metabolism, the fiber content helps to keep it full.
  • In particular, lemon is a blood pressure lowering agent.
  • It helps concentration and gives energy.

Abbas Jahangir

I am a researcher and writer with a background in food and nutritional science. I am the founder of Foodstrend.com, our reputable online platform offering scientifically-backed articles on health, food, nutrition, kitchen tips, recipes, diet, and fitness. With a commitment to providing accurate and reliable information, we strive to empower our readers to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices. Join us on Foodstrend.com's journey toward a healthier and happier lifestyle.

You may also like...