Citrus aurantium L.

ORIGIN DATA:

It seems that the Bittersweet Sour Orange arrived in Europe from the Near East between the 12th and 13th centuries, after the return of the Crusaders. It was the first sour orange to reach Paris and Versailles, where it was grown in special greenhouses called orangeries. It was also soon established in America, mainly Florida and Paraguay.

TREE AND FRUIT DESCRIPTION:

Large and thorny tree. Leaves larger and rounder than the common sour orange. Fruit of medium size, globular. Thick rind, less rough than in the common sour orange. Thick albedo, flabby. Juicy pulp, sweet and bitter at the same time, with a relative lack of acidity. It has seeds.

USES:

It is used to make jams. In the Caribbean islands, the dried peel is used to flavor citrus liqueurs. The juice is used for marinating. The segments can be added to salads, green or fruit salads.