Citrus (citrus fruit) is a botanical type that includes over fifty species of juicy fruit, typical of a warm climate. We know only the most popular ones, exported to all corners of the globe, such as lemons and oranges. The world of citrus, however, is much more diverse, although they all share a large dose of more or less pleasant acidity!
Citrus (citrus) for the most part is very easy to recognize at first glance. They grow on single-leafed evergreen trees or shrubs and have the form of fleshy, double-skinned berries. Outside, we see a colored (green, yellow, or orange) layer of flavedo, under which there is a white spongy film. The juicy flesh is divided into segments that make eating easier for us, consumers. Inside the pulp there are usually larger or smaller white seeds – the only exception is the citrus fruit, which is produced without fertilization.
The evolution and spread of citrus
Citrus trees are native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia and Northwest Australia. Scientists believe that their spread in this area during the Miocene was directly related to the weakening of the monsoons. In the Pliocene era, citruses began to create natural hybrids, giving rise to, for example, the Australian lime (Citrus glauca). With climate change, trees that bear sweet and sour fruit reached Taiwan and Japan on their own, as well as Papua New Guinea. These migrations were directly responsible for the emergence of new species such as lemon (Citrus limon) and pomelo (C. maxima).
It is not known exactly when people became interested in citrus enough to try to reproduce them on their own. Probably between the third and second millennium BC, migrating Australian communities shipped citrus seeds to Micronesia and Polynesia. Over 3,000 years ago, lemons traveled with travelers to the Mediterranean and Africa. The real breakthrough, however, came only in the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, when Portuguese sailors brought sweet oranges (C. sinesis) to Europe.
Currently, citrus fruits are grown in as many as sixty-four countries of the world, with Brazil, China, the United States, and Mexico being the leaders, i.e., areas located very far from the cradle of the botanical genus Citrus.
The most popular citrus
Citrus as a botanical genus is the most economically significant family of fruits. In 2018, over 152 million tons of them were produced in the world, but paradoxically, this number relates primarily to the five most important species. Oranges account for more than half of the total production, followed by mandarins (C. reticulata), lemons and limes, as well as grapefruits (C. x paradisi), and pomelos. At this point, it is worth emphasizing that grapefruits are nothing more than a natural hybrid of orange and pomelo, which was created in Barbados!
Little known species of citrus
However, the citrus family also includes species that are rarely seen in regular supermarkets. For example, hardly anyone has heard about amanatsu (C. natsudaidai), popular in Japan, or about long Australian limes called “finger lime” (C. australasica). The most charismatic citrus delicacies are certainly the Buddha’s Hand (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis) with a finger-shaped, unique for citrus, sweet and sour kumquat (C. japonica) or the exceptionally ugly ugli fruit (Citrus reticulata × Citrus paradisi). The Japanese Yuzu fruit is considered the most aromatic citrus fruit, combining the scents of all other relatives.
The lemons themselves are present in the world in the form of several interesting species, e.g., Moroccan lemon (C. medica) or a surprisingly low-acid Corsican lemon.
Are citrus fruits healthy?
Citrus fruits have a reputation as an excellent source of vitamin C. And although they are difficult to fault in this respect, it is worth knowing that, per 100 g of the product, sweet red pepper is richer in vitamin C, even Polish strawberry! Of course, citrus has a great advantage over fresh native fruit in that they are available all winter when we lack the anti-cold vitamin the most.
However, citrus has many more health benefits. Depending on the species, they are also rich in other vitamins and minerals, e.g., grapefruits and mandarins contain substantial amounts of vitamin A and potassium. Also noteworthy is the fiber contained in the membranes between the individual segments of the flesh, which, for our good, it is better not to peel them. Scientists, however, primarily focus on the antioxidants present in citrus and their positive effect on the cardiovascular system and the immune system. We are talking mainly about carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, which translate into anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, and even antiviral properties. Unfortunately, research shows that the high concentration of these health-promoting compounds is directly related to the state of maturity at harvest – prematurely harvested fruit for export is therefore much poorer in antioxidants.
Citrus juices can also be beneficial to health when drunk in rational amounts, preferably partially diluted. Research shows that lemon and sweet orange juice protect the liver from damage, while grapefruit juice prevents obesity and helps lower blood cholesterol.
| Caloreis | sugar | Fiber | Vitamine C | |
| Lemon | 29 kcal | 2.5 g | 2.8 g | 53 mg |
| Orange | 47 kcal | 9.4 g | 2.4 g | 53.2 mg |
| Grapefruit | 42 kcal | 6.9 g | 1.6 g | 31.2 mg |
| Tangerine | 53 kcal | 10.6 g | 1.8 g | 26.7 mg |
| Pomelo | 38 kcal | 7 g | 1 g | 61 mg |
Essential oils of citrus
The peel of citrus fruits, or flavedo, is very rich in ethereal compounds that determine its aromatic qualities – scientists counted over four hundred of them in total! Hence, many fruits are used to produce essential oils by water or steam distillation, which are very often used in the perfume industry. In themselves, they also have unique healing qualities that can be used in the form of inhalation or massage with the use of base oil. Some can also be added to cocktails, cakes, or desserts as a natural aroma!
Popular citrus oils include, among others :
- bergamot oil from bergamot orange (C. bergamia), with anti-stress properties, aiding digestion and improving the condition of the skin;
- sweet orange oil with antidepressant, antibiotic, and analgesic properties;
- lemon oil with energizing, analgesic, anti-acne, and nausea-reducing properties;
- lime oil with a cleansing, calming, and digestive effect;
- mandarin oil that improves well-being, disinfects, and strengthens the immune system.
Fun fact: About 25 lb. (10 kg) of citrus peels are used to produce 1 ml of essential oil.
Health-promoting properties of citrus
One of the most popular opinions related to eating citrus fruits is the high content of vitamin C and effective strengthening of the body’s immunity. Even though lemons and oranges are not the foods with the highest levels of vitamin C, there is no doubt that they are high in vitamin C. In medium-sized oranges, you can find as much as 150 mg of this ingredient. The daily requirement in an adult is 100 mg, therefore eating one fruit a day fills them up to over one hundred percent.
In the period of a cold or weakening of the body during an infection, the need for vitamin C increases – then it can be up to 1000 mg, which is as much as 10 times more than every day. During this time, it is especially important to provide the body with vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C to strengthen the body and increase immunity.
It is worth knowing that this unusual ingredient is also a natural antioxidant that inhibits the development of free radicals in the body and thus reduces the risk of developing cancer. What’s more, thanks to the flavonoids contained in citrus, the fruit is an excellent snack for diabetics, people struggling with atherosclerosis, and obesity.
In addition, you can also find in citrus fruits:
- B vitamins,
- vitamin A,
- magnesium,
- potassium,
- calcium,
- phosphorus,
- iron.
All these elements make citrus a real vitamin bomb and an ideal everyday snack.
Citrus effective for weightloss – fact or myth?
People on a reduction diet often eat grapefruit for breakfast because they believe that it will make their weight loss more effective. Indeed, the active substances contained in citrus reduce the feeling of hunger and ensure a feeling of fullness for many hours. What’s more, the naringin contained in the fruit accelerates digestive processes and improves intestinal peristalsis, thanks to which it does not cause residues in the digestive tract and reduces the absorption of fats.
Citrus – contraindications and drug interactions
Although citrus fruits are famous for their high vitamin content and health benefits, it is important to remember that, as with other food products, eating citrus too often is not recommended. Due to the specific composition and high content of active substances, you should not eat grapefruits, lemons or oranges with medicines.
Thing To Remember!
It is also inadvisable to wash down medications with juices with citrus fruits because they worsen the absorption of certain substances and significantly hinder their metabolism. This combination also causes a sharp increase in blood pressure, which can be very dangerous for people with arterial hypertension.
Eating citrus can be hazardous to your health if you have an allergy that manifests itself in diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and swelling of the lips and mouth. The allergic reaction is also accompanied by itching of the face and body, as well as marked redness and rash. Allergy to citrus fruits most often results from the organism’s hypersensitivity to the allergens and essential oils contained in the fruit. If a person suspects that they are allergic, they should not eat citrus fruit and consult their doctor.
Citrus fruits are not only extremely tasty, but above all healthy fruits that should be included in the daily diet of many people. They provide a lot of vitamins, positive. They do not affect the body’s immunity and, thanks to essential oils, improve well-being.
Very useful and informative article on citrus fruits.