What about citrus. Varieties of citrus fruits

What are the most famous citrus fruits? The list of most Europeans is limited to orange, tangerine, lemon and grapefruit. However, in total there are more than 60 species. Most of them appeared due to the crossing of different varieties and hybridization. However, not all of them are edible. Some, such as bergamot, are used as a flavoring agent. But still, many citrus fruits can enrich the usual diet and benefit.

Orange

Despite the fact that today the orange is one of the most common citrus fruits, it did not originally exist in nature. It is believed that 2500 years BC. e. it was obtained by crossing a mandarin and a pomelo in China. From here, already in the 15th century, the first orange trees were brought to Europe, and it even became fashionable to grow them in special greenhouses. They quickly took root on the southern coast of Spain, France, and later in the United States.

Oranges are those citrus fruits that doctors recommend eating daily. They have a general strengthening effect on the body, improve mood and contribute to the normalization of digestion. A glass of orange juice with breakfast will give you energy for the whole day and improve your appetite. Moreover, it is recommended for diabetes, fever (as a source of fluid) and beriberi.

In addition to the classic ones, they are still common in Europe blood oranges, or kinglets. They are distinguished from ordinary ones by bright red flesh and more sweet taste. Otherwise, they are similar to traditional ones and may well replace them. In total, there are more than 30 varieties of oranges that differ from each other in appearance and taste.

Lemon

The main competitor of the orange in terms of popularity among Europeans can safely be called a lemon. He is even more often remembered when asked to name citrus fruits. But lemon is also not found in the wild. However, it is not known exactly when it was cultivated. The birthplace of the lemon is considered Southeast Asia. Most likely, the first hybrids appeared in India and from there were brought to Europe in the 12th century.

Lemons, despite their high acid content, are recommended to normalize digestion in case of high acidity. Eating them regularly will boost your immune system great content vitamin C. Thanks to its taste properties lemons are often used in cooking. Based on it, lemonade, popular all over the world, is prepared. Also pieces fresh fruit added to strong tea. He is known all over the world as "Russian".

Mandarin

These very common citrus fruits originally from southern China did not appear in Europe until the end of the 19th century. But thanks to the fact that they were easy to peel (hence their name) and had a sweetish pulp, tangerines quickly gained popularity. As a result, there appeared different varieties- from pale yellow to bright orange. And on their basis, many hybrids have been created: tangerine and orange - natsumikan, tangerine and grapefruit - tangelo, tangerine and kumquat - calamondin, as well as some others.

Perhaps the main useful property of all tangerines and hybrids based on them is that they contribute to the restoration of strength in a protracted winter period. They will help to cope with the blues and strengthen the immune system. They are also recommended for eating cores, pregnant women and those suffering from chronic bronchitis. True, they should be eaten with caution, since an excess of fruit can cause severe allergies.

Grapefruit

This hybrid of orange and pomelo has been common in Europe for a long time. And this is despite its specific bitter taste. And the fact is that the daily use of grapefruit contributes to weight loss even while maintaining the usual diet. Based on it, a special diet has been developed, where it is proposed to complete each meal with half of this fruit.

But not only grapefruit is useful for this. He, like many other citrus fruits, is a real storehouse of organic acids, vitamins (C, P, D and B1) and naringin, which is useful for the heart muscle. Moreover, it is considered that grapefruit juice improves mood and is an excellent antidepressant. With caution, it should be used only when taking contraceptives and drugs to reduce pressure, as well as ulcers, allergies and hyperacidity stomach.

pomelo

For most, the named 4 species are all citrus fruits. What other fruits are included? First of all, it is worth mentioning the pomelo. After all, this is one of the few wild citrus fruits cultivated by man. Also, many hybrids have been created on its basis (for example, orange and grapefruit). It differs from its counterparts in its coarser skin, impressive size and fibrous pulp. However, it is much sweeter than the same oranges and lemons.

In China, pomelo is considered a symbol of prosperity and is often presented as a gift on major holidays. And it is no coincidence. It normalizes metabolism, helping to cleanse the body and reduce weight. It is also suitable as a prophylactic for hypertension, heart disease and cancer. As well as other citrus fruits, the names of which have already been mentioned here, it is not recommended for those prone to allergic reactions.

Every person in his life has come across citrus fruits, which our planet is so rich in. We use this type of fruit in Everyday life every day, we just don't always think about it. They are mainly used for food fresh, as dessert dishes, in the form of supplements or spices. Many people use citrus tree oils for massage or aromatherapy, while taking a bath, their antiseptic property helps to fight skin diseases. A huge amount of vitamin C, which is rich in any kind of citrus, makes them popular and useful at the same time. In this article, we will consider those fruits that can not only be bought on the free market, but also, if desired, grown at home as houseplants. Let's not forget to take care of them.

How separate view citrus plant, it developed for a very long time, therefore it is considered a hybrid. Its size is small, usually has a light yellow color, in some places it is green, oblong in shape, narrowed towards the ends. One of the most acidic and common fruits around the world, and they use it all - juice, zest and peel.

Lemon has found wide application in cooking, it is almost impossible for them to spoil fish dishes, all types of meat, and desserts with zest or juice always look exquisite on the table. Various types of drinks with its help acquire freshness and muffle cloying, alcoholic cocktails are a success. Essential oils of the fruit are successfully used in medicine and cosmetology.

Growing a lemon at home is easy: usually a tree sprouts from an ordinary mature seed in suitable soil. But care must be strict: temperature regime, daylight hours, air humidity in the room - all this must be observed when growing lemon on your own.

Orange

This fruit is in no way inferior to lemon in popularity. It is large, has a round shape and is most often orange in color. They eat it on their own, the fruit inside is divided into slices, which are perfectly separated from each other. The beneficial properties of an orange go off scale: it has a beneficial effect on the digestive and cardiovascular systems. It goes well in drinks as well as desserts, there is great amount jam recipes.

Mandarin

A fruit without which Christmas holidays are not imagined. In many ways it resembles an orange, but it has a small size and a flattened shape, a sweeter pronounced taste, and the fact that it is easy to peel is a pleasant addition. very much, like other citrus fruits, it is great for baking, desserts and refreshing drinks.

Lime

This citrus fruit is green in color with a pleasant specific aroma, sour in taste, sometimes even bitter. Small in size, approximately egg. And one of the subspecies of lime is pursha, but outwardly they cannot be distinguished. Most often it is used in cooking in Asian countries, and the variety of dishes with lime is huge - from soups and salads to desserts and drinks. All over the world this fruit serves chic decoration variety of cocktails. IN healing properties it is also not inferior to its relatives - in addition to the standard useful properties, it has a beneficial effect on the teeth.

A very similar citrus plant to the lime is the limequat. It is a hybrid between lime and kumquat. Limequat is similar in flavor to lime, usually also green in color, but it tastes more like lemon. Very juicy, but the flesh has bitterness, and the peel, surprisingly, on the contrary, is very sweet. Limequat can easily replace lime and lemon for cooking, if those are not available.

Desserts are very exotic, namely pies and puddings, and limequat zest is mainly used for meringues.

This plant is very unpretentious, therefore it is very popular, besides limequat is not afraid of cold weather, and gives its first fruits in very early age. At home, it will not be difficult to grow it, since it does not need special care, and beautiful view This citrus fruit will decorate any home.

pomelo

Another name for this fruit is pompelmus. It is the pomelo that is considered the largest citrus fruit. By palatability it is very reminiscent of a grapefruit, but its peel is bright yellow and quite thick, so it takes a lot of effort to peel a pomelo. Inside, the fruit, like an orange, is divided into slices, between which there are white separating tissues, very bitter in taste, but useful for the human stomach.

The pulp itself may vary in color scheme: red, yellow or even green. Unlike an orange, a pomelo is not such a juicy fruit, so getting a lot of juice from one fruit will not work. One of the most valuable properties pomelo is energy-intensive: one fruit can replace a full breakfast for an adult and energize for the whole day. It is consumed raw, candied fruit and jam are made, pomelo is rarely used for drinks and desserts. This fruit got its distribution in China. Moreover, for the inhabitants of this country, the fruit of this tree is considered a good gift, especially on New Year's Eve.

Kumquat

Outwardly, it resembles dwarf ornamental oranges, the fruits are so small that they can be compared with grapes. It is the same color as an orange, and the peel is thin and fleshy, tasting like a tangerine, but with a slight sourness. The biggest advantage is that the kumquat can be eaten whole without peeling. Inside you can find several slices of the fruit, as well as a couple of seeds.

This citrus fruit is considered very nutritious, therefore it has been valued by many nations for a very long time.

Can serve on the table beautiful decoration, adds unique taste in salads and desserts, it is perfectly used in the preparation of marmalade, jams and sauces. And if

At present, many new species have been bred through selection and hybrid varieties with different properties and appearance.

One of the most common citrus fruits. This is a fairly large fruit of orange color, round shape. The pulp is juicy, sweet and aromatic. It is believed that this is a hybrid of mandarin and.
Varieties: bloody. It looks like a regular one, but its flesh is reddish and sweeter.

This citrus is often confused with lemon, as they look very similar in appearance. It has the largest of all citrus fruits - its size can reach 40 cm. The fruits are yellow, oblong, have a very thick skin. The pulp has a very sour taste, so it is almost never eaten.
Currently, it is not widely used in the food industry.

One of the most acidic citrus fruits. Has small fruit yellow color slightly elongated shape. The pulp has a sour taste, very juicy. Lemons are very widely used in various fields: medicine, cosmetology, cooking, industry. in fetus high content essential oils.
There are quite a few varieties of lemon, the most common of them are Lisbon, Meyer, Novogruzinsky, Novoafonsky, Udarnik, Pavlovsky.

Small citrus fruits, plum-sized, very fragrant. They should be eaten whole, with the skin on. The pulp of these fruits is sour, and the peel is sweet. - this is a group of species, there are six of them: Hong Kong

Citrus fruits are not limited to orange, lemon and vitamin C. There are from 15 to 30 species.

The culinary use of citrus fruits is very diverse: juice, zest, pulp - everything goes into business. Aromatic oil is obtained from the peel of the fruit, the most popular seasonings are seasoned with zest and juice. different dishes, and the pulp of some citrus fruits is eaten as an independent dessert.

The most common orange

The orange tree is originally from China, brought by the Portuguese to Europe and now grows well along the entire Mediterranean coast, as well as in Central America.

Oranges are a wonderful dessert, they improve appetite, and are useful as a general tonic. Due to the presence in them of a complex of vitamins and other biologically active substances, these citrus fruits are recommended for the prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis, diseases of the liver, heart and blood vessels, and metabolism. Pectins, which are contained in oranges, promote the process of digestion, enhance the motor function of the large intestine and reduce putrefactive processes in it.

The peel, in addition to the well-known economic use for zest, infusions, jams, etc., is also used to prepare various kinds of liqueurs in Bologna and Florence. Orange oil is also obtained from the peel.

Lemon is very sour citrus fruit. Homeland - India, China and the Pacific tropical islands. Not known in the wild. It is widely cultivated in many countries with a subtropical climate.

Lemons are eaten fresh and also used in the manufacture of confectionery And soft drinks, in the alcoholic beverage and perfume industry. As a spice, lemon is used in various fruit salads, sweet dishes, biscuits, sauces, in fish, poultry and rice dishes.

With a therapeutic and prophylactic purpose, lemons are used for hypovitaminosis, beriberi, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. intestinal tract, violation of mineral metabolism, rheumatism, urolithiasis, atherosclerosis, scurvy, tonsillitis, gout, hypertension. In the Middle Ages, lemon was believed to protect against the plague and to be an antidote for snake bites. Oriental medicine considered lemon excellent remedy for the treatment of wounds and pulmonary diseases and an antidote for various poisonings.

Currently, lemon juice and lemon oil obtained from fresh peels are used to improve the taste and smell of medicines.
Lemon is widely used as a cosmetic product - lemon water softens and whitens the skin of the face, it is used in a mixture with whipped egg white, glycerin and cologne to get rid of freckles, age spots, rejuvenate the skin of the face. Lemon juice heals cracks in the skin, reduces brittle nails. Lemon peel boiled in honey was used to improve digestion. IN cosmetic purposes lemon is used as hair balms, creams, lotions, for the manufacture of lotions and masks for the care of various skin types.

Green fruits are similar to lemons, but they are more acidic and have a special, unique flavor. Originally from India.

The antirheumatic, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, healing, regenerating, tonic effects of lime are widely used in medicine. Calms strong and frequent heartbeats. Has a beneficial effect on the stomach. Relieves intestinal inflammation caused by stress. Often used instead of lemon, as lime has similar properties. Used in the treatment of fever, infectious diseases, sore throat, colds, etc.

It has a cleansing and toning effect on the skin. Strengthens thin hair and nails, promotes their growth.

A slice of this green and bitter lemon accompanies every sip of tequila, complements many cocktails. Limes are essential for making great sauces.

Grapefruit

Outwardly, a grapefruit is similar to an orange, but its flesh is sourer and with a touch of bitterness.

The flesh of grapefruits can be red, pink or white (more precisely, creamy). The color of the pulp does not affect the aroma and taste of grapefruit. When buying a grapefruit, choose not the largest and rather heavy fruits for their size.

Grapefruit also contains antioxidants that lower cholesterol levels. One grapefruit a day helps to normalize blood cholesterol levels. This is especially important for people suffering from ischemic heart disease and circulatory diseases, for whom elevated cholesterol levels are another risk factor.

Grapefruit juice increases the acidity of gastric juice, so it is indicated for people with low acidity. Grapefruit is the main component of the so-called grapefruit diet, aimed at accelerating metabolism. In 2004, it became known that grapefruit can help not only with weight loss, but also with diabetes. The action is based on the fact that the use of grapefruit improves the metabolism of sugar-containing substances. As a result, blood sugar levels decrease and the need for insulin decreases.

blood orange

A blood-red variety of orange. This color is given to it by the presence of anthocyanins, pigments that are quite common in flowers and fruits, but unusual for citrus fruits.

The first plantings of blood oranges appeared in Sicily, and over time they gained great popularity in the United States.

Like all citrus fruits, blood orange is rich in vitamin C. The anthocyanins they contain are antioxidants that reduce the risk of many age-related diseases, including diseases of cardio-vascular system. They also reduce the risk of cataracts and remove cholesterol from the body. In addition, blood oranges are good source iron, calcium and vitamin A.

In cooking, blood oranges are used to make cocktails and produce marmalade and sorbet.

Bergamot

Many are familiar as a flavoring good varieties tea. Bergamot is considered to be native to Southeast Asia.

Bergamot peel is used in aromatherapy, to treat depression and improve digestion. The furocoumarins contained in it have a strong photosensitizing effect, which contributes to faster skin pigmentation. In medicine, based on one of the components - bergapten - drugs have been created for the treatment of vitiligo and nested baldness.

Bergamot oil is used for fragrance ointments and in perfumery. Bergamot peel is used in perfumery because of its ability to combine with different fragrances to form a bouquet of scents that complement each other. Approximately one third of men's and half of women's perfumes contain bergamot essential oil. Currently in in kind it is not used in perfumery, as it causes photoburns of the skin at the place where the perfume is applied under the influence of sunlight.

Mandarin

Native to southern China. Introduced to Europe in early XIX century.

Mandarin fruits are used fresh and for the manufacture of fruit juices and compotes. As a spice, it is used in the preparation of various sweet dishes, biscuits, sauces, fish, poultry, rice dishes and fruit salads.

Tangerine peel is used as a substitute for orange peel in the preparation of various medicines, infusions, syrups, extracts, as well as in Food Industry. With repeated rubbing of mandarin juice into the skin, skin areas affected by microsporia and trichophytosis are cured.

Alcohol tincture from the peel of tangerines increases appetite, improves digestion, softens the inflammatory secret in the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, and promotes sputum separation. In oriental medicine, a tincture of the peel, as well as its water infusion or decoction, was used for bronchitis, nausea, as an antitussive and a digestive aid.

Mineola is a variety of orange tangerines obtained by hybridization with an orange.

It is pear-shaped and reddish-orange in color. It tastes different from tangerine and orange. Most convenient when cleaning and eating with your hands. Good mineoles are hard or slightly soft, heavy for their size, with an uneven surface but no deep indentations, and also have Orange color. Fresh mineos can be used in salads, desserts and main dishes. dishes and juice commonly used in the USA.

Another common variety of orange tangerines is Clementine.

Clementine

A hybrid of a mandarin and an orange - a beetle, created in 1902. The fruits are similar in shape to tangerines, but sweeter.

The main suppliers are Spain, Morocco, Italy and Algeria. There are three types of clementines: Corsican - the best, protected by the trademark of the region, with an orange-red skin, fragrant and without seeds; it is sold with leaves (two per fruit) from early November to early February; Spanish - has varieties: more small fruits and larger, each fruit contains 2 to 10 seeds; Montreal - very rare, appears in mid-October, suppliers - Spain and Algeria, the fruit contains from 10 to 12 seeds.

Juicy, sweet, rich in vitamin C, clementines keep well in the cold; they are candied and added to brandy, the juice is frozen for sorbet and mixed with drinks. In England, clementines are used to make liqueurs and marinade.

The fruits of this tree with very large flowers can vary in shape, color, size and even taste. However, they all have common feature- Their peel is much thicker than that of a grapefruit. By the way, it makes wonderful jam, marmalade and candied fruit.

Pomelo is sometimes called sheddock, after the English captain Sheddock, who brought pomelo seeds to the West Indies from the Malay Archipelago in the 17th century.

Pomelo fruits are consumed raw and processed. pomelo is integral part many national Thai and Chinese dishes.

In China, on the Chinese New Year, these fruits are given to each other as a symbol of prosperity and well-being. Chinese people living in Thailand use pomelo for religious festivities, very often pomelo is offered as a gift to spirits.

Small exotic fruit orange or orange-yellow in color, resembling a small orange in appearance. Grows in southern China.

In appearance, kumquat fruits resemble miniature oval oranges ranging in size from 3 to 5 centimeters in length and from 2 to 4 centimeters in width.

The kumquat fruit tastes like a tangerine with a slight sourness, is edible completely, with sweet skin. In nature, there are several types of kumquat, differing in the shape of the fruit. Kumquat is consumed both raw and processed (candied fruit, jam, marmalade).

Calamondin

The pulp and peel of calamandin are orange, it tastes like lemon or lime. A hybrid of a mandarin tree with a kumquat.

The plant is ornamental, blooms profusely and bears fruit, grows well at home.

In ancient times, citron was widely cultivated in Western India, Western Asia and the Mediterranean. He was the first citrus long before our era came to Europe.

Sour or sour-sweet, slightly bitter, low-juicy fruit pulp is not eaten fresh, it is used exclusively in the confectionery industry for jams and fillings. From the peel of the fruit, which has a strong aroma, a valuable essential oil is obtained, which is used to flavor drinks, confectionery and culinary products, as well as for making jams and candied fruits.

An exotic variety of citron grown in China and Japan - "Buddha's Fingers", Buddha's Fingers. Its fragrant fruit is divided into several finger-like lobes with little pulp.

Oroblanco

Oroblanco - also known as Sweetie (Citrus Sweetie) and Pomelit (Pomelit) - a citrus variety bred from a traditional hybrid of pomelo with white grapefruit in 1984 by Israeli scientists.

The task set by the scientists was to make the grapefruit sweeter. Although they succeeded quite well, sweetie has not yet become a popular citrus fruit - perhaps because, like pomelo, it has too much "waste".
Sweetie fruits remain green even after full ripening.

Scientists have come to the conclusion that pomelit lowers blood cholesterol levels better than its ancestors. Moreover, it is sweeter than a grapefruit, and not as big as a pomelo.

Pomeranian

Known as "bitter orange" and Seville orange - Seville is a classic bitter orange.

Pomeranian fruits are used in medicine, and neroli and petitgrain essential oils from flowers and leaves are used to make marmalade, candied crusts and soft drinks and are included as the main component in many flower compositions in perfumery; in the confectionery and other branches of the food industry, infusions of flowers are also used.

From the crushed peel, tinctures are prepared, used as an appetite enhancer or as a corrigen in the production of other dosage forms.

coalfruit

Hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit, sweet juicy fruit, easy to clean, virtually pitted.

Its name comes from the unsightly appearance - rough, wrinkled, greenish-yellow peel.

Citruses are evergreen shrubs or trees with thorns on their stems, dense leathery petiole leaves with glands containing essential oil, white or anthocyanin-colored flowers with five petals on the outside and a peculiar berry-like fruit of a spherical, pointed-elongated or flattened-spherical shape, covered with peel . The fruit is divided into segments filled with sacs with juicy pulp. Citrus seeds are elongated or oval.

Types of citrus plants

Lemon.

Lemon (lat. Citrus limon)- this is the name of a species of the genus Citrus, as well as the fruit of plants of this species. Lemons are native to China, India and the Pacific Islands with tropical climates. Most likely, the modern lemon is a natural hybrid that gradually developed as a separate species. The lemon was introduced into the culture in the 12th century in Pakistan and India, and from there the Arabs brought it to the Middle East and North Africa, Italy and Spain. Today, India and Mexico are considered the leaders in the cultivation of lemons. IN middle lane Lemon cultivation is possible only in a greenhouse or in a room culture.

Lemon is an evergreen tree no more than 8 m high with a pyramidal sprawling crown. Lemon lives up to 50 years. Its bark on old branches is gray, slightly fissured, and on young branches it is smooth, reddish-violet or green. Usually thorns grow on the branches of a lemon. The leaves are fragrant, leathery, entire, broadly oval or oblong-ovate, pointed at both ends, with venation, green and glossy on the upper side and lighter, dull on the lower side. The length of the leaves located on the petioles is 10-15, and the width is 5-8 cm. Lemon flowers, single or paired, axillary, no more than 3 cm in diameter, white or creamy inside, and pinkish or purple outside, also emit delicate fragrance. The fruit is a light yellow, narrowed to both ends oval or ovoid hesperidium up to 6 in diameter and up to 9 cm long. At the top of the fruit, the nipple, tuberculate or pitted crust is separated with great difficulty and contains many glands with essential oil. The fruit is divided into 9-10 spongy nests with overgrown endocarp cells - hairs filled with juice. The pulp of the fruit is yellow, greenish-yellow and sour in taste, also contains white or yellow-green seeds with a single embryo. Lemon blossoms in spring and bears fruit in autumn.

Lemon pulp contains citric and malic organic acids, pectins, sugars, phytoncides, carotene, vitamins (thiamine, ascorbic acid, riboflavin), flavonoids, rutin, galacturonic acid, coumarin derivatives and others. valuable substances. Seeds, leaves and branches of lemon also contain fatty oil, in addition, the glycoside citronin was found in the lemon bark, and the bitter substance limonin and ascorbic acid. The characteristic aroma of lemon is due to the presence of lemon essential oil in its various organs.

Lemon is eaten fresh, used for making confectionery and various drinks, including alcohol. It is a raw material for the perfume and cosmetic industries. For therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, lemon is used for beriberi, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, urolithiasis, scurvy, gout, tonsillitis, hypertension and mineral metabolism disorders.

In the middle lane, lemon is a houseplant, but this does not mean that its fruits do not correspond in composition to those grown in hot countries. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Pavlovsky lemon has been known in room culture - with proper care, 10-30 fruits per season can be harvested from each tree of this variety, although there have been cases when the harvest reached 200 fruits. In addition to Pavlovsky lemon, Ponderosa (or Skiernevitsky), Lisbon, Meyer, Genoa, Chinese dwarf, Lunario, Maikopsky, Novogruzinsky and others have proven themselves well in room culture. Lemons are propagated by grafting and cuttings, but if desired, you can grow a tree even from a lemon seed.

Orange.

Orange (lat. Citrus sinensis)- a species of the genus Citrus, a fruit tree, as well as the fruit of this tree. It is the most common citrus crop in the tropics and subtropics. There is an assumption that the orange is a hybrid of mandarin and pomelo. Orange has been cultivated as far back as 2500 BC. in China, and the Portuguese navigators brought it to Europe, where they began to cultivate it in special facilities - greenhouses (remember what the Europeans called the orange?). Today, orange trees grow throughout the Mediterranean, and in Central America they can be seen everywhere.

The orange tree is quite tall. Its leaves are whole, connected by a wide articulation with winged petioles. The flowers of the orange are white, collected six in a racemose inflorescence. The fruit is a multi-seeded and multi-celled hesperidium, covered with a thick two-layer peel. The pulp consists of many spindle-shaped sacs with juice. The outer layer of the fruit (flavedo) contains large translucent spherical glands containing essential oil. The inner white spongy layer (albedo) has a loose structure, so the peel is separated from the pulp much easier than that of a lemon. The most valuable in terms of taste are large, full-bodied, thin-skinned and juicy Maltese, Malaga, Sicilian (or Messinian) oranges. lives Orange tree long - up to 100-150 years.

Orange fruit contains monosaccharides, alimentary fiber, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, saturated, fatty acids - monosaturated and polyunsaturated, and also cholesterol. Due to the presence of so many valuable biological substances in oranges, they are a very popular product. They are recommended in the treatment of hypovitaminosis, scurvy, diseases of the liver, blood vessels and heart. Eating oranges improves digestion, enhances the motor function of the large intestine and suppresses putrefactive processes in it. Candied fruits, infusions, jams and liqueurs are made from the peel of oranges, and the most valuable orange oil is also extracted.

The leaders in growing oranges are countries such as Brazil, China, USA, India, Mexico, Iran, Egypt, Spain, Italy, Indonesia, Turkey and South Africa.

Despite the fact that orange trees can survive frosts down to -50 ºC, in the middle lane they are grown either in greenhouses or in room culture. You should also know that, unlike lemons, which give fragrant and useful fruits even at home, an orange tree can only decorate your home, and nothing more - it is very difficult to achieve real fruiting in a cool climate. The best varieties of oranges are Washington Neville, Valencia, Trovita, Pavlovsky, Korolek, Gamlin, Parson Brown and others.

Lime.

Lime (lat. Citrus aurantiifolia)- view citrus plants originating from the island of Malacca and genetically close to the lemon. Actually, lime is a hybrid of lemon and citron.

In Mediterranean culture, lime appeared a thousand years BC, but in industrial scale it began to be grown in the Antilles in the 70s of the XIX century. Lime can grow in any area with a warm climate, even where lemons cannot grow due to high humidity. In Australia, such types of limes as finger, round and desert grow. But at temperatures below 0 ºC lime dies. Today, the largest lime importers are Egypt, Cuba, India, Mexico and the Antilles.

Lime is an evergreen tree or shrub from 1.5 to 5 m high with a dense crown and branches covered with thorns. Lime inflorescences are axillary, consisting of 1-7 flowers, blooming remontantly throughout the year, but lime blooms most intensively during the rainy season - in May-June. The fruits also ripen remontantly. The ovoid lime fruits, 3.5 to 6 cm in diameter, have greenish, juicy and very acidic flesh. Lime peel is thin, green or yellowish-green.

The composition of lime fruits includes ascorbic acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, pectins, riboflavin, vitamin A and B vitamins. The use of lime protects teeth from caries, prevents bleeding gums, helps to eliminate toxic substances from the body and has a calming effect on nervous system. Lime treats herpes, fever, reduces warts and papillomas. Juice is used as a wound healing and antiviral agent. Lime essential oil increases appetite and normalizes the digestion process. For the most part, limes are used fresh in juice, salads, and as an ingredient in cocktails. Citric acid is obtained from lime juice, and soft drinks are flavored with oil.

Lime is unpretentious to the composition of the soil - it grows even on stony soils, but light, well-drained loams are most suitable for the plant. However, lime is much more sensitive to adverse conditions than other citrus fruits. especially detrimental to him. low temperatures. The most popular are the Mexican lime, Limetta, Rangpur and Sweet lime varieties.

Mandarin.

Mandarin (lat. Citrus reticulata)- an evergreen plant, a species of the genus Citrus. The name "tangerine" comes from Spanish and contains an indication that the fruit is easily peeled (se mondar - "easy to peel"). The plant comes from southern China, and it came to Europe at the beginning of the 19th century. In India, China, South Korea, Japan and the countries of Indochina, mandarin is the most common citrus fruit. Mandarin is cultivated throughout the Mediterranean, as well as in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Abkhazia, Brazil, Argentina and the USA.

Usually a mandarin does not exceed 4 m in height, but if the tree is older than 30 years, then it can be higher. Young shoots of mandarin are dark green in color, the leaves are small, elliptical or ovate, on winged petioles. Matte white flowers are arranged in the axils one or two. The fruits, like those of other citrus fruits, are multi-celled and multi-seeded, slightly flattened, 4-6 cm in diameter. They have a thin skin that separates easily from the yellow-orange flesh, which consists of many spindle-shaped sacs, which are hairs filled with juice. Mandarin pulp is sweeter than orange pulp. It is divided into 10-12 segments-nests, in each of which 1-2 seeds ripen. Mandarins ripen in November or December.

Mandarin fruits contain organic acids, sugars, vitamins A, D, K, B4, as well as riboflavin, thiamine, ascorbic acid, phytoncides, rutin, potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. Use tangerine juice strengthens the body, stimulates the digestive processes. Juice is shown for dysentery and heavy menopausal bleeding. IN folk medicine alcohol tincture tangerine skins in the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract thin the mucus. Infusions and decoctions of tangerine peel are used as an antipyretic, antiemetic and fixing agent.

In the middle lane, tangerines, like other citrus fruits, are grown in greenhouses or in room culture. All types of tangerines are divided into three groups:

• - noble tangerines - large fruits with a bumpy peel of light shades, growing on trees with large leaves;
• - tangerines, or Italian tangerines - varieties with medium-sized fruits oval shape with a pungent odor and a reddish or bright orange peel;
• - satsum, or unshiu - a group of Japanese winter-hardy varieties with thin light orange skin, sometimes with green spots. These varieties contain almost no seeds and are able to tolerate frosts down to -7 ºC, therefore they are popular on Black Sea coast. The compact size of plants (up to 1.5 m in height) allows them to be kept indoors.

by the most popular varieties Red-fruited mandarins are Tangor, Ellendale, Clementine, Minneola, Sunburst, Temple and Robinson. Of the yellow-fruited tangerines, Moroccan, Chinese, Israeli and Turkish varieties are in demand, as well as varieties of Honey, Batangas and Densi. And for growing at home, the Japanese dwarf varieties Unshiu, Emperor, Kovane-wasse, Imperial, Calamondin and Shiva-mikan are more suitable.

Pomelo.

Pomelo (lat. Citrus maxima), or shaddock, or sheddock- a species of the genus Citrus native to Southeast Asia, Malaysia, from the islands of Fiji and Tonga. In China, this fruit was cultivated a century before the beginning of our era, and the pomelo came to Europe in the 14th century with sailors. The name "sheddock" was given to the plant in honor of the captain who brought pomelo seeds to the West Indies in the 17th century.

Pomelo is an evergreen tree up to 15 m high, with a spherical crown, large leaves and white flowers 3-7 cm in diameter, single or collected in an inflorescence. The large fruit of the plant, divided into slices and covered with a thick peel, can reach a diameter of 30 cm, and in weight - 10 kg. Inside each lobule, separated from the others by a rigid partition, there are seeds. The color of the fruits is from light green to yellow, they are larger than grapefruit, their fibers are more rigid and elastic. Pomelo pulp is not as juicy as other citrus fruits. The fruits of the plant contain potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins C, F, B1, B2, B5, fiber, organic acids and essential oils. The use of pomelo fruits in food is recommended to reduce blood pressure, prevention of thrombosis, the fight against bacteria and viruses in the autumn-spring period. Cosmetic masks containing pomelo fruit pulp moisturize and nourish the skin. IN Thai cuisine pomelo is an addition to many dishes, and in China on New Year's Eve people give each other the pomelo fruit as a wish for well-being and prosperity.

IN modern world pomelo is cultivated in the south of China and Japan, in Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Israel and Tahiti. The best plant varieties are Khao Horn, Khao namfang, Khao fuang and Tongdi.

Grapefruit.

Grapefruit (lat. Citrus paradisi)- an evergreen plant from the subtropics, an accidental hybrid between a pomelo and an orange. The world first heard about grapefruit in 1750 - it was then that the Welsh priest-botanist Griffiths Hughes called " forbidden fruit» Grapefruit. Then it was called a small sheddok, because it looked like a medium-sized pomelo fruit, and in 1814 merchants in Jamaica gave it its current name - grapefruit. From the end of the 19th century, grapefruit began to be grown on an industrial scale, first in the United States, and then in Brazil, the Caribbean, Israel and South Africa, and in the 20th century this fruit took one of the leading places on the world market. Today, the leaders in the cultivation of grapefruit are such countries as China, the USA, Mexico, South Africa and Israel.

The grapefruit tree grows to a height of 5-6 m, but may be higher. Its leaves are thin and long, dark green in color. Flowers with 4-5 white petals reach a diameter of 5 cm. The grapefruit fruit looks like very large orange fruits: up to 15 cm in diameter, with sour ruby-red or yellow flesh, divided into slices. The peel of the fruit is yellow, while in varieties with red flesh it is reddish.

The fruit pulp is rich in vitamins A, PP, C, D, B1, B2, B9, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, fluorine, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, fiber, antioxidants and carotenoids. Grapefruit is dietary product which is indicated for obesity. It normalizes the level of cholesterol in the blood, speeds up the process of digestion, increases the acidity of gastric juice, lowers blood pressure, normalizes sleep, reduces headaches, relieves swelling and is used to prevent atherosclerosis. Grapefruit seed extract has strong antifungal and antimicrobial activity. In cosmetology, grapefruit is used to prepare cleansing and whitening masks.

Grapefruit varieties, of which there are about 20, are divided into white (yellow) and red. The red varieties are sweeter than the white ones. The first red variety of the Ruby grapefruit was patented in 1952, from which all red varieties originate. Of the white varieties, the most famous are Duncan, Marsh, White, and of the red ones - Ruby, Red, Flame and others.

Citron.

Citron, or cedrat (lat. Citrus medica) is a species of perennial plants of the genus Citrus. In ancient times, citron was cultivated in Western Asia, Western India and the Mediterranean. Citron was the first citrus plant that came to Europe long before the beginning of our era. Now it grows in many countries with a warm climate, although it occupies very small areas.

Citron is a small tree up to 3 m high or a shrub with single axillary spines on the branches. Its leaves are oblong-oval, dense, large, on short winged petioles: the upper ones are purple on young shoots, and dark green on mature shoots. Single or collected in inflorescences, large white citron flowers have a reddish tint. The fruits of the citron are the largest of all citrus crops - from 12 to 40 cm in length and from 8 to 28 cm in diameter. They have an oblong-rounded shape and a very thick yellow or orange peel. The pulp of the citron is low-juicy, so it is not used fresh.

The citron pulp contains phosphorus, calcium and iron, vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B5, phytoncides, glycosides, flavonoids, and the peel contains coumarins and essential oils. Since ancient times, citron has been taken as a medicine for colds, indigestion, lung diseases, nausea and motion sickness, constipation and other bowel diseases. It was used as an antidote for the bite of poisonous insects and snakes. In Africa, citron was used to treat rheumatism, and in China it was used as an expectorant and bactericidal agent.

In the middle lane, citron, like other citrus fruits, is grown in room culture. Of the subspecies of citron, the most famous are finger (Buddha's hand) and Etrog (Greek), which do not have varieties, as well as a polymorphic variety of ordinary citron, the best varieties which are Pavlovsky, Mir, Bicolor and others.

In addition to the citrus plants described in more or less detail by us, the following are grown in the culture:

• - agli - a hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit;
• - Gayanima - Indian citrus, the peel of which smells like eucalyptus and ginger at the same time;
• - karna - this species is grown for rootstocks;
• - calamondin, or citrofortunella - an ornamental plant;
• - natsudaidai - a Japanese hybrid of pomelo and sour orange (orange);
• - oranzhelo, or chironha - a hybrid of sweet orange and grapefruit from Puerto Rico;
• - orange - a fruit similar to an orange, the fruit of which is inedible;
• - sweetie, or oroblanco - a hybrid of white grapefruit and pomelo with sweet pulp;
• - pike perch - a citrus plant with inedible fruits that are used instead of vinegar;
• - tangelo - a hybrid plant with a sour taste;
• Hussaku is a Japanese hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit.

Properties of citrus plants

All citrus plants are evergreen - their leaves are a warehouse nutrients for plants during winter dormancy. Therefore, a true indicator of citrus health is a large number of fresh leaves. The change of leaves on citrus fruits occurs gradually. As for the roots, they lack the suction root hairs that most plants have. Instead of hairs at the ends of their thin roots, mycorrhiza are formed - thickenings from the threads of soil fungi, which transfer nutrients to the plant. minerals from the soil. But in conditions of poor water and air permeability, as well as at temperatures below -5 and above 50 ºC, mycorrhiza die. Citrus flower buds are formed throughout the year, but the most active flowering period, as usual, is in the spring. Citrus flowers have a delicate aroma, reminiscent of the smell of jasmine or white acacia.

Citrus plants - growing features

When growing citrus composition Soil is not as important as plant conditions - lighting, temperature and humidity. There are a few important rules, which must be observed so that citrus fruits are comfortable in your apartment:

• - the flowerpot should not be too large. Excess soil, not occupied by roots, often rots and turns sour, causing the plant to shed its leaves and begin to wither. In addition, citrus trees require good drainage. When choosing a flowerpot, you should be aware that ceramic containers let air through, but quickly release moisture, plastic flowerpots retain moisture longer, but do not let air through. Wooden containers in this respect are better than all others, but, unfortunately, they are short-lived;
• - Excessive watering is detrimental to citrus plants. Between waterings upper layer the soil must dry out. It is better to moisten young plants by the method of bottom watering, immersing the flowerpot with the plant in a container of water. When watering large plants, you need to pour water under the walls of the flowerpot to saturate the peripheral roots with moisture. Excess water must be poured out of the pan. But it is better to moisten a large plant by pouring water into the pan until the plant absorbs it. As soon as the citrus has stopped absorbing water, pour the rest of it out of the pan;
• - citrus fruits at home need daily spraying. But even if you have chronically violated this rule, and the plant has dropped all the leaves, do not rush to get rid of it: put a transparent plastic bag on it, sprinkled with water from the inside, and very soon you will see young leaves on your citrus;
• - when choosing a place for citrus, remember that it needs light and heat, but in winter it is advisable to cover the batteries with something, otherwise they will dry out the air a lot. If you have the opportunity, buy a humidifier. At an air temperature within 22-24 ºC, the humidity should be at the level of 60-70%, and in winter, at a temperature of 8-10 ºC required humidity air 40-50%.