Citrus Fruits

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Citrus fruits are one of the most useful foods for humans. An additional plus for their popularity and wide distribution are the pleasant refreshing taste qualities. The etymology of the word citrus comes from the Latin Citron, which means lemon. Lemon, on the other hand, is derived from the ancient Hellenic word cedar.

All kinds citrus fruits come from evergreen trees with unevenly spaced, slightly tough leaves, the stem of which is often wing-like extended. Almost all citrus fruits have short or long spines. White or pink-violet flowers appear singly or in large numbers on the axis of the leaves. Extremely rich in forms, the genus is difficult to classify because there are many crosses and mutations.

Citrus fruits love light, heat and humid air. At temperatures below 10 ° C they stop growing. Kiwis, bananas and pineapples are wrongly included in the group of citrus fruits - they are not citrus fruits, although they are southern, tropical fruits.

The homeland of citrus fruits is considered to be part of Southeast Asia, which borders Northeast India, Myanmar (Burma) and the Chinese region of Yunnan. A little later, citrus fruits are grown in Brazil, USA, China, India, Indonesia and Indochina. Citrus trees are distributed in the subtropics and tropics of the entire planet.

The first mention of lemon in the literature is found in Theophrastus in about 300 BC. Servo "lemon" is mentioned in ancient Chinese chronicles, despite the fact that the homeland of the lemon is India. The word "lemon" in Chinese means "useful for mothers." The word "orange", on the other hand, has its origins in the German language, where it means "Chinese apple". It was for these special "Chinese apples" that the construction of special rooms - greenhouses began.

The largest producers of citrus fruits today are Brazil and Florida (USA). The volume of world trade with citrus fruits continues to grow, with demand mainly coming from Indonesia and Vietnam. The main importers of citrus fruits in 2009 were Germany, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The main suppliers are Turkey, South Africa, USA, China, Argentina.

37% of world imports belong to oranges, 31% - to tangerines, 21% - to lemons. Grapefruits and others citrus fruits occupy 9%.

India ranks 5th in the world in terms of annual production citrus fruits, but almost all of its production is for domestic consumption. India is today considered one of the largest producers of lemons and limes (green lemons). In 2008, the country's lemon harvest amounted to 2.429 million tons, which represents 18% of world production.

Sweet orange is the second most commercially important fruit after lime in India. 126,000 hectares of land are occupied for its cultivation, on which 2.11 million tons are produced on average per year. Among the varieties of Indian oranges entering the market are "Jaffa", "Valencia", "Hamlin", "Malta" from the state of Punjab, "Sathgudi" from the state of Andhra Pradesh, "Mosambi" from the state of Maharashtra.

Citrus fruits, their excellent taste, useful properties, etc., are the reason for their widespread popularity and consumption for millennia. Today, there are annual citrus festivals in many parts of the world, the most popular of which is held in the French city of Menton, located on the French Riviera, on the border with Italy. Every year in March there is a celebration of citrus fruits, accompanied by many dances, music, theater performances and huge sculptures of citrus. Up to 130 tons of citrus fruits are used during the Menton holiday.

Composition of citrus fruits

Citrus fruits contain a large amount of vitamin C, B vitamins and vitamin P. They also contain sugar and organic acids, and essential oils give them an attractive aroma. Lemon and lime are close citrus relatives that have a high content of vitamin C, and in lime it is more than in lemon. Lemons are rich in nutrients, contain minerals, vitamins A, B, B2, P, C and phytoncides.

Lime contains iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and essential oils, as well as pectin and vitamin P. The peel of lemon and other citrus fruits is rich in essential oils. Tangerines contain from 6 to 8% sugar, from 0.6 to 1% acids and extremely much vitamin C. Oranges contain vitamins from groups A, B2, B6 and C. Their content also includes sugar, water, carbohydrates, acids, nitrogenous substances., essential oils, ash and cellulose.

Types of citrus fruits

1. Grapefruit

- Yellow grapefruit (Citrus maxima) - juicy, but quite bitter;

- Grapefruit, paradise apple (Citrus xparadisi) - a cross between grapefruit and orange (Citrus sinensis) and unlike its other relatives, has grape-like fruits (grape - grapes). It needs hot summers and lots of light, even in winter.

- Pink grapefruit - sweeter, nicer, but also more expensive than yellow.

The name of the grapefruit is actually an unintentional mistake. Centuries ago, an English botanist mistakenly classified it as a grape variety, and although it later became clear that this fruit was a citrus, its name was now so imposed that it became impossible and unnecessary to change. For the first time, Europeans discovered grapefruit on the island of Barbados.

The more sour taste is due to the high concentration of fruit acids.

2. Lemons - the yellower the rind, the sweeter the lemon.

- Sour lemon (Citrus aurantiifolia) - forms pointed oval, small compared to lemon leaves and very small, pear-shaped, yellow fruits.

- Miniature lemon Citrus aurantiifolia x Fortunella matgarita) - a cross that gives very small yellow lemons and grows low.

- Lemon tree Citrus limon - this species is distinguished by its exceptional growth, even in a large vessel.

- Sweet lemon, marrakesh lemon (itrus limetta - its branches are thorny and the lemons are almost round.

- Lemon - A double of the lemon, it looks like a very long lemon, which reaches 40 centimeters in length. It is sour-sweet in taste, with a slight bitter note. The bark is mostly used, from which jam is made or added to dishes.

3. Tangerines - very sweet and juicy, in most cases there are many seeds.

4. Oranges (Citrus sinensis)

- Sweet oranges - They have different height depending on the variety. The most famous tea are the Valencian and Navel rotorcals, as well as the bloody ruttocals "Sanguina" and "Moro". Varieties - Valencia, Navel and Jaffa - a kind of large orange;

- Bitter oranges (Citrus aurantium) - often used to make jam or marmalade, and serve as an essence for liqueurs such as Grand Marnier and Cointreau;

- Red oranges - hybrid species that are smaller in size, more fragrant and have red hues;

- Thin-skinned oranges - juice is made from them, they are also very fleshy;

- Thick-skinned oranges - peel easily, but have less juice than thin bark.

5. Green lemons, lime - very fragrant. The more ripe fruits are sweeter and the greener ones are used for decoration. The most common type of lime is the Persian or also known as "Florida" variety (Citrus × latifolia), which has large fruits, thin skin and almost no seeds. Green lemons of the small, yellowish cue lime variety (Citrus aurantifolia) are often found on the market. Other types of green lemon are mandarin lime (Citrus limonia), kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), several Australian limes, Spanish lime (Melicoccusgju) wild lime (Adelia ricinella), sweet lime (Citrus limetta), Palestinian sweet lime (Citrus limettioides), and musk lime (X Citrofortunella mitis).

6. Pomelo - this is the largest citrus fruit, related to grapefruit. Yellow-green bark, with a drier interior. Very tasty, less bitter than grapefruit, with many useful properties.

- There are five varieties of pomelo: Khao horn, with yellow-green color and bright, sweet inside; Khao namphung - pear-shaped, yellow-green skin, the inside of the fruit is bright and sweet; the Khao paen variety has a flattened, oval shape, a yellow-green rind, and the inside of this pomelo variety is light and slightly acidic; Khao phuang has a pear-shaped shape, its bark is again yellow-greenish, and the taste is sour-sweet,as the color of the interior is yellowish white; Thongdi has a spherical shape, dark green rind, and the fruit is pink and quite sweet.

7. Bergamot - a double of lemon. It is obtained by crossing a lemon with other citrus fruits. Its fruit is round or pear-shaped. Bergamot is grown for its essential oils, which are extracted from flowers, fruits, leaves and bark.

Selection and storage of citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are generally long-lasting, as long as they are stored properly. The lemon can be refrigerated for several months, and the lime can be stored for no more than two weeks. The rule when choosing a fruit, especially lemon and lime - the fruit should be shiny. For all citrus fruits, the rule is that in order to be juicy, they must weigh. Don't buy light southern fruits. To look good for a long time and store for weeks, citrus fruits are treated with fungicides. More dilute solutions are made in which they are immersed. The other is liquid paraffin to clog pores and prevent bacteria from entering. However, these substances are carcinogenic and therefore dangerous to humans.

Citrus fruits in cooking

Lemon juice is added to dishes quite often. It gives a pleasant taste to fish dishes and snacks, chicken, pork, etc. Lemon and lime can be added at the beginning of the cooking process, as well as in the middle and at the end. It is an important ingredient in most alcoholic cocktails. It has a slightly bitter taste, which makes it ideal for Mojito or Margarita. The juice is squeezed before preparing the cocktail, because if it stays for a long time, the essential oils it contains disappear.

Lime is an important ingredient in the famous guacamole sauce. And lovers of Thai cuisine know the sour-spicy taste of tom yam soup, which is brewed with a special variety of lime. This fruit contains very little juice, so the dishes also use its peel and leaves, like the others. citrus fruits. In the Arabian Peninsula, lime is boiled in salt water and then dried in the sun - this is how the special Arabic spice lumi is prepared, which is added to bean and rice dishes, giving them a delicate citrus aroma. Citrus peels can be candied, grated on a grater, as an excellent and specific additive in sauces, soups, pastries, creams, parfaits, etc.

Benefits of citrus fruits

Regular consumption of citrus fruits has many benefits for human health. All freshly squeezed juices from citrus fruits are a good helper for health if drunk immediately after squeezing. Citrus fruits also have a wide external application, as a cleansing, toning and detoxifying agent for the skin. If you have a migraine, a few drops of lemon juice rubbed into your temples will get rid of it.

Regular consumption of citrus fruits is good for the eyes. Eating southern fruits protects against the development of macular atrophy - one of the most important causes of senile blindness, say researchers from the city hospital in Boston, USA. Citrus fruits are ideal for the treatment and prevention of beriberi, gastrointestinal diseases, atherosclerosis, scurvy, angina, hypertension.

A good start to the day is a glass of warm water with lemon juice, which increases immunity and removes toxins from the body. To extract as much lemon juice as possible, roll it on the table for a few seconds or immerse it for 10 seconds in a bowl of hot water. Lime and its valuable ingredients are very valuable for the health of blood vessels. According to scientists, there is no plant that can compete with lemon in terms of antibacterial properties.

As a rich source of vitamin C, lemon is extremely effective in colds, flu. Drink lemon juice with honey and gargle with a mixture of lemon juice, a pinch of salt and warm water. Lemons contain a lot of potassium and ascorbic acid, which strengthen and make the walls of small blood vessels elastic. They are actively involved in redox processes. That is why lemons are often used in recipes for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

The decoction of dried tangerine peels relieves cough and has an expectorant effect in bronchitis and tracheitis. It helps reduce blood sugar levels. Prepare a decoction of the peel of 3 tangerines boil for 10 minutes in 1 liter of water. It is not filtered and is taken every day and must be stored in a refrigerator. Consumption of tangerines helps to reduce excess weight and restore damaged liver cells.

Oranges are a means of stopping uterine bleeding - prevention of premature birth, termination of pregnancy or heavy menstrual bleeding. It is recommended to use orange juice no earlier than 20-30 minutes after a meal, to completely strengthen the stomach. Grapefruit is especially useful for lowering blood pressure and restoring strength during exercise.

Citrus fruits are a powerful means of beautification, and in case of insect bites the itching will pass if you smear the place with lemon juice. Lemon juice cleanses the skin of the face from freckles and pigment spots and visibly rejuvenates it. However, it is important not to go out in the sun for one hour after the procedure. Ascorbic acid increases the body's resistance to infections, helps to produce collagen and maintain skin elasticity. Tangerines are also useful in skin diseases - fresh juice kills some fungi.

To heal the skin affected by them, repeatedly rub the juice from the fruits or peel of tangerines. Grapefruit, like the others citrus fruits, is very useful for digestion. It is used as a mild diuretic, helps to raise the immune system and to tone the body. It is an excellent tool for weight loss, as the most valuable part of the fruit in this regard is the membrane between the internal parts.