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Citrus
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Oranges
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Fresh oranges from California and Arizona are available throughout the year. There are two major varieties, Navels and Valencias. Popular seasonal specialties include the Moro orange (a type of blood orange) and the red Cara Cara navel.
Store oranges at room temperature to keep them at their juiciest. They should keep
well for close to two weeks. Keep oranges unwrapped in the refrigerator if you like
to eat them cold. Avoid storing oranges in unperforated plastic bags; moisture trapped
inside could encourage mold growth.
Most oranges are available year-round.
The word orange has become practically synonymous with vitamin C. And, in fact, oranges are the primary source of this essential vitamin for most Americans. But that tough, colorful skin contains plenty of other nutrients too, namely calcium, potassium, thiamin, niacin, magnesium and a generous dose of folacin.
How did navel oranges get their name?
The bottom of a navel orange looks like a bellybutton or a navel. Fruit specialists believe
the navel is a smaller fruit attached to the main orange. You can see this smaller
fruit when you peel and separate a navel orange. As this smaller fruit grows the navel
on the orange becomes bigger
Lemons
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The lemon ranges in shape from round to oval and in size from that of a large egg to a small grapefruit. Some have thin skins while others have thick rinds. The color ranges from bright yellow to light orange. When selecting lemons, they should feel firm, plump and heavy for their size.
Refrigerate in a plastic bag up to 2 weeks. Use to season a multitude of dishes from fresh vegetables to grilled meats. Juice for fruit drinks.
Lemons are available year-round.
Lemons are a great source of Vitamin C.
• The ladies of Louis XIV's court used lemons to redden their lips.
• Cesare Borgia sent presents of lemons and oranges to his wife while she was in France, partly to impress Louis XII with his wealth.
• Sailors used them (combined with rum) to combat scurvy.
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Limes
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Limes, with their distinctive piney and floral flavor and spicy aroma notes, are a staple in the cuisines of Latin America, Southeast Asia, India, Africa and the West Indies.
Look for brightly colored, smooth-skinned limes that are heavy for their size. Small brown areas on the skin will not influence flavor. Refrigerate uncut limes in a plastic bag for up to 10 days. Cut limes can be stored in the same way up to 5 days.
Limes are available year-round.
Limes are fat, sodium and cholesterol free and are a great source of Vitamin C.
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Grapefruit
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Valued for their juice and their fresh flesh, their unique balance of sweetness and tang make grapefruit hard to resist.
Look for grapefruit with firm, smooth skin. Pick fruit that feels heavy for its size. Since grapefruit is about 75 percent liquid, weight is a good indicator of juice content. Skin color does not indicate ripeness. Store grapefruit at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator up to two weeks.
Fresh grapefruit from California and Arizona are available all year.
Grapefruit is fat, sodium and cholesterol free and is also high in fiber and vitamin C and vitamin A.
Grapefruit Fun Facts:
Pummelos, the largest of the citrus fruit varieties, are also called Chinese grapefruit. They are very popular during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations because of their resemblance to the full moon.
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Tangerines
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Also referred to as mandarins, tangerines are increasingly sold using their varietal name, such as Fairchild and Dancy. Compared to oranges, tangerines tend to be smaller in size, and have a looser peel. These characteristics make them ideal as snacking fruit, for children to eat and for all of us with on-the-go schedules.
Store tangerines unwrapped in the refrigerator. They're more fragile than other oranges so expect them to last only a few days.
Tangerines are available October through June.
Tangerines deliver all the nutritional goodness of juice oranges - vitamin C, calcium, potassium, thiamin, niacin, magnesium and folacin - and the loose skin peels off with the aid of a mere fingernail while the neatly divided segments pull apart with nary a drop of juice, a boon for those on the go.
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