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Citrus
Citrus fruits
The acidity of citrus fruit can be intense, as you'll know if you've ever tried to eat a lemon. Citrus fruit is often used as a symbol of healthy eating, mainly because of their high ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) content.
Citrus fruits are all native to south-east Asia. The history of citrus trees goes back 20 million years, but most citrus fruits have been developed over the last few centuries. Citrons (Citrus medica) were the first of these fruits to reach Europe.
Oranges are thought to have originally been cultivated in China, they were grown for the smell of the rind. They were carried around by Chinese ladies, so their hands would absorb the scent. Mandarins were the first kind of orange to be eaten as a fruit.
Oranges did not reach Europe until the 15th century, however even in the late 16th century oranges were an expensive delicacy especially in Britain as they had to be imported from Portugal. Oranges are now the most widely grown citrus fruit in the world.
Did you know?
- The colour of citrus fruits only develops in climates with a cool winter. In tropical regions with no winter, citrus fruits remain green until maturity, hence the tropical "green orange".
- Kew's citrus collection was originally grown in the Orangery, but is now found in the Temperate House.