Yellow citrus fruit. The healthiest citrus

Citrus fruits are evergreen shrubs and trees that belong to the Rut family. The types of citrus plants today are diverse, however, few people know that initially only mandarin, pomelo, lime and citron existed in nature. All other fruits were bred by long-term selection.

Being juicy and tasty, citrus fruits are popular all over the world. In addition, they are in high demand due to their amazing health benefits. Popular types citrus fruits, such as lemons, grapefruits and oranges, are not only eaten naturally, but also used to make juice, added to jams and marmalades, and used in cooking to give special taste meat and vegetables.

What is the difference?

Citrus fruits are sour Exotic fruits, in which the seeds are surrounded by juicy and fleshy pulp. Originally grown in Southeast Asia, they have become popular all over the world. How many types of citrus fruits are there in the world? It is currently assumed that there are slightly more than thirty independent varieties.

Combination sweet and sour flavors And bright aromas is probably one of the reasons why they are among the favorite fruits for many people around the world. They are usually juicy, and it is this juice that contains the main acid component that gives the fruit its characteristic taste. Not only do they taste great, but they are also an important component of a healthy diet due to their many health benefits.

Citrus fruits come in many types and colors. Their color depends on climatic conditions. In tropical regions, there is no winter, and the fruit remains green or greenish-orange until ripe. They are usually harvested before they are fully ripe.

Why is it necessary to be careful?

Considering the health benefits, these acidic fruits aid in detoxification and are a rich source of vitamin C and other nutrients which are essential for the human body.

The acidity in citrus fruits is their main feature, as in some cases it can cause indigestion and difficulty in consumption. Some people develop these citrus fruits or stomach problems. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to your well-being when using each new product.

Today, most large stores offer to buy many types. Which ones are the most useful?

Lemon

These fruits have antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. Lemon is also used as a weight loss tool as it aids digestion and cleanses the liver. This citrus contains citric acid, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, bioflavonoid, pectin, and limonene, which are known to boost the immune system.

Grapefruit

It is a large subtropical fruit known for its slightly bitter and sour taste. Its name is due to the fact that it grows in bunches that look like grapes (in English - grape). With high levels of enzymes, high water content and very little sodium, grapefruit helps speed up weight loss. It also helps prevent cancer, boosts immunity levels, and aids in digestion. It is rich in B vitamins, magnesium, iron, folic acid, manganese, calcium and potassium.

Orange

Speaking about the types of citrus fruits, it is impossible not to mention oranges. These fruits are rich in vitamin C, potassium and beta-carotene. Oranges are an ideal source of nutrients for the body. They help maintain heart health, prevent kidney disease, and lower cholesterol levels. Oranges are by far one of the most popular citrus fruits.

Mandarin

Tangerines are types of citrus fruits that stand out in a separate family and are slightly more expensive than oranges. They have a distinctly less acidic and more sweet taste. These fruits are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene. In addition, tangerines are known to improve digestion, heal wounds and cuts, and limit the risk of obesity.

Clementine

Clementine is a seedless variety of mandarin. Being a rich source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium, it is also considered as energy product. In addition, it is an antioxidant and helps in weight loss and vision improvement. Since it is available from November to January, it is also known as "Christmas Orange".

Lime

These fruits are similar to lemons, but unlike them, they have a green color and a bitter-sweet taste. These types of citrus fruits are also rich in vitamins C and A, iron, potassium, magnesium and other minerals. Limes can reverse signs of aging, make skin look younger, and even prevent kidney stones.

pomelo

As the largest of the citrus fruits, pomelo is an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, bioflavonoids, proteins, fiber, healthy fats, potassium, antioxidants and enzymes. This fruit is known to aid digestion, promote heart and dental health, and increase the ability to immune system fight against the common flu and colds.

red orange

Types of citrus fruits are often similar. However, the red orange is considered a separate variety of fruit. Being one of the most delicious among citrus fruits, it is also effective for health. So, it contains a high level of vitamins C and A, as well as folic acid, anthocyanins and calcium. These substances are necessary for the body to prevent cancer, strengthen teeth and bones. In addition, consumption promotes good digestive health. Often you can hear the question: "If two types of citrus fruits are grafted, what happens?". This fruit- a clear answer to it.

Buddha hand

Its scientific name is Citrusmedicavar Sarcodactylis. Better known as Buddha's hand, this fruit is rich in vitamin C. It is commonly used to make tonics and stimulant drinks. Unlike other citrus fruits, it has dry flesh and no seeds.

Citron

This fruit is native to India and Burma. Citron has huge health benefits. The antioxidant properties of the fruit make it ideal for diseases caused by oxidative stress (such as Alzheimer's disease). The fruit has hypoglycemic properties that make it an ideal treatment for diabetes. It also has an analgesic effect on wounds, cuts and burns.

Oroblanco

Oroblanco, which is usually referred to as a type of white grapefruit, is rich in natural sugars, dietary fiber, and is an excellent source of antioxidants that prevent free radicals from causing cellular damage to your body. It is also sodium-free and has a high concentration of beta-carotene.

Benefits of citrus fruits

First of all, they contribute to weight loss. So, with honey, diluted in warm water, is an excellent tool for weight loss. It works most effectively when taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Lemon contains pectin, a soluble fiber that helps burn fat and promote weight loss.

Secondly, all types of citrus fruits increase immunity: most citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. This substance, consumed in conjunction with antioxidants, helps to boost your body's immunity. Studies have shown that people who consume citrus fruits are less susceptible to common infections like colds and flu.

Thirdly, citrus fruits improve digestion, in particular, lemon and lime are recommended for this purpose. Drinking a glass of lemon juice with your meal will help eliminate harmful bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, almost all types of citrus fruits contain calcium and potassium in small amounts. For example, the potassium level in a lemon helps maintain bone calcium density in the body. Potassium helps prevent calcium loss through the kidneys, thus protecting the body from osteoporosis.

Most citrus fruits contain citric acid, and regular consumption of the juices from these fruits helps increase citrate levels in the urine. People who are prone to kidney stones should drink plenty of water to prevent the formation of kidney stones. But adding lemon juice can help reduce the risk of such a calcium stone.

How to use different types of citrus fruits with benefit?

If you will be using pre-bought citrus fruits, store them at room temperature for up to a week. If you plan to leave them for a longer amount of time, put the fruits in the refrigerator. There they can remain in a suitable form for a month.

If you have an upset stomach, drink a glass of lime juice. This will help relieve stomach pain and diarrhea.

Lemon juice is used to rub freshly cut fruit to keep it from turning brown. Also, the juice of this citrus, mixed with honey, cleanses the skin well. Because citrus fruits (especially lemon and lime) are acidic in nature, it helps balance the body's pH. Most of these fruits contain less than a hundred calories per serving, so this is a great option for a healthy snack.

Also, these plants can be used for aesthetic purposes. For example, everyone knows such types of indoor citrus fruits as lemon and tangerine. Despite the fact that they do not always bear fruit, such a tree perfectly decorates any home or office interior.

7. Tangor is the result of crossing tangerine and sweet orange. Rather, it is considered so. In fact, everything is a little more complicated. The most famous tangor is Temple (Temple, Temple, Temple). Its origin is not completely clear.
8. Clementine. And this is a hybrid of mandarin and king orange, created by the French missionary and breeder Father Clement (Clement Rodier) in Algeria in 1902. Actually, if you buy a tangerine, and it is somehow too sweet for a tangerine, it is quite possible that it is actually a clementine.
9. The natural tangor of the East is tankan. This culture has been cultivated since time immemorial in the south of China, on the island of Formosa (Taiwan) and in the Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima. The tree on which the tankan grows is indistinguishable from a tangerine, but the fruits make one suspect that this citrus is a hybrid with an orange.
10. Ortanique - also probably a natural tangor. It was also found in Jamaica, but already in 1920. Since tangerine and orange trees grew nearby, they decided that this was their hybrid. The name was collected from the world by thread - or (ange) + tan (gerine) + (un) ique.
11. royal mandarin(Citrus nobilis, kunenbo, Cambodian mandarin). His appearance is quite memorable, it rarely happens in our stores and is sold simply as a tangerine
12. Markot is also a famous tangor. Also of unknown origin. Marcotes are called Florida tangors, about the parental varieties / species of which nothing is known for certain. The first tree was found in 1922 and added to good hands.


13. Satsumy (inshiu, Citrus unshiu) Moroccan. According to one version, all satsums are a hybrid of citron and lime; the second is a hybrid of orange and lime.
14. Yemeni citron - an independent species.
15. Citron "Fingers (hand) of the Buddha" is similar to Cthulhu;)
16. Corsican citron. Please note - all these varieties have almost no pulp - one zest.


17. Kaffir lime (Kaffir lime, kaffir lime, Citrus hystrix, Kaffir lime, porcupine citrus)
18. Etrog
19. Persian (Tahitian) lime
20. Limetta (limette, Citrus limetta, Italian lime, sweet lime)
21. Mexican lime (West Indian lime, sour lime). It is the Mexican lime that is usually painted on bottles and cans with all sorts of lime drinks.
22. Indian lime (aka Palestinian, Palestinian sweet lime, Colombian lime) has long been considered a hybrid of lime and lime, but attempts to cross these plants did not result in anything similar.


23. Australian finger lime (finger lime). It is also called citrus caviar.
24. He is. There are many varieties of them, with pulp of different colors. The origin is also unknown. The fruits are similar to multi-colored cucumbers. Australian chefs use the pulp of finger limes as a side dish, add it to salads and soups, and decorate fish and meat dishes with it.
25. Limandarins (lemons) - the results of crossing tangerines with limes or lemons. Limandarins have been bred in China since time immemorial. It is believed that the first Limandarin was the result of a cross between a Cantonese lemon and a Cantonese mandarin. The Chinese red lemons that appear on our shelves are typical lemons.
26. Rangpur - Indian hybrid of mandarin and lime


27. Otahite (Sweet Rangpur, Otahite Rangpur, Tahitian Orange). This is also a limandarin, also believed to be from India. It was opened in 1813 in Tahiti, from where the Europeans took it around the world.
28. Rough lemon or citronella. It comes from Northern India and is a hybrid of mandarin and citron.
29. Pomelo. It is also Citrus maxima, Citrus grandis, pummela and sheddock - in honor of Captain Sheddock, who brought pomelo seeds to the West Indies (to Barbados) from the Malay Archipelago in the 17th century. Huge round or pear-shaped fruits with a rather thick rind, a lot of juicy pulp, rough, easily detachable membranes. One of the original citrus fruits, from which all their variety is gone. The zest of a pomelo is yellow, green, and the flesh is yellow, green, red.
30. Pomelo with lime.
31. Hybrid - Duncan grapefruit, a variety bred in Florida, in 1830
32. Also a hybrid - grapefruit Hudson


33. A very famous pomelo hybrid in our country is Oroblanco. It is the result of crossing Siamese sweet pomelo and Marsh grapefruit.
34. Sweety - a hybrid grapefruit from Israel
35. New Zealand grapefruit. It is called grapefruit, but it is believed that it is either a natural tangelo or a hybrid of pomelo and grapefruit. The place of origin is also unclear - either China or Australia. Significantly sweeter than most grapefruits.
36. Chironha is a citrus fruit that is about the size of a grapefruit and tastes more like an orange.


37. Calamondin (a.k.a. golden lime, Panama orange, calamansi, musky lime), the result of crossing sour mandarin (sunky) and kumquat
38. Yuzu (ichandrin, young) - the result of crossing sunki and ichang-papeda (ichang lime)
39. Kumquat. These are so small, with an extreme phalanx thumb hands of an adult male, yellow or orange fruit, similar in shape to reduced lemons. Sold, as a rule, in large grocery stores, in laminated foam trays. They appeared in Russia relatively recently, only a few years ago. At first they were hellishly expensive, but today they have fallen in price. Well, if you haven't tried them yet, you've probably seen them.
40. Limequat Eustis (a hybrid of Mexican lime and round kumquat)
41. Mandarinquat Indio
42. Lemonquats (lemon + kumquat) and orangequats (orange or tripoliata + kumquat). And here, attention, faustreme is a hybrid of Eustice limequat and Australian finger lime


43. Sevillano, Seville bitter orange. In Seville they produce 17 thousand tons per year. Bitter oranges are not eaten fresh, juices are not made from them, but they are used in the hybridization of citrus fruits, used to make orange bitters, to give an orange flavor to liqueurs, and also as a seasoning for fish and as a raw material for obtaining aromatic oils.
44. Citranzhquat - a hybrid of citrange (which in turn is a hybrid of orange and trifoliates, aka poncirus) and kumquat.
45. Bitter orange kikudaidai (Japanese citrus, canaliculata) is a purely ornamental plant. In Japan, it is grown to admire
46. ​​Bergamot (bergamot lemon, bergamot sour orange) - a variety of bitter orange with a very bright recognizable smell - used in perfumery
47. Sweet orange Citrus sinensis - Chinese citrus.
48. A hybrid of sour orange and pomelo - natsudaidai or natsumikan


49. Citrus sinensis - from within.
50. Red oranges. Their Russian name- kings. Americans call them blood oranges - bloody oranges. The bloodiest sanguinelli...
51. ...and sanguinelli


52. The fruit of papeda ichang. Use papeds for hybridization
53. Ponciruses - an independent genus of the subfamily of the orange family of the rue family, including one single species - trifoliata or three-leafed poncirus.
54. Citremon - a hybrid of trifoliata and lemon
55. Kabusu (kabosu) - Chinese, but especially popular in Japan, a hybrid of papeda and orange


56. Eremocitruses or Australian dessert limes. This is also a separate subgenus of citrus fruits. Eremocitrus has a drop dead shaggy tree and small green fruits
57. Murrays are a separate genus of the rue family, not citruses. But their fruits are similar to citrus fruits, and therefore everyone who is engaged in breeding, studying and hybridizing citrus fruits is also interested in murrays. Murray is also known as orange jasmine.


58. Severinia is also close to citrus fruits
59. Afrocitrus or citropsis. They are African cherry oranges. These are trees with small edible fruits that vaguely resemble citrus fruits.
60. Lemon feronia, sour limon or Indian wood apple. Indian wild-growing rue with very sour (although they say that there are also sweet) edible fruits with an almost wooden peel.
61. Ceylon Orangester. Orangester fruits are very bitter, but the leaves, if rubbed, broken, have a strong lemon flavor.

Everyone knows that rich in vitamin C, which and protects body cells from premature aging. They also contain a lot of B vitamins, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. B vitamins improve the condition of the skin and hair. In addition to vitamins, citrus fruits contain phytoncides - volatile biologically active substances that protect our body from viruses and bacteria and help to cope with colds faster and easier. The essential oils of these fruits can protect you from the flu, normalize sleep, improve mood and help fight seasonal depression.

Let's take a closer look at the fruits that make upcitrus family.

Mandarin.

Mandarin. Almost 90% tangerine consists of water. The remaining 10% are sugar, vitamins, pectins, glycosides and essential oils. In addition to vitamins C and group B, tangerines contain vitamins P (rutin), K, D and carotene. Rutin helps to strengthen the vascular wall and increases the activity of vitamin C. Vitamin K and glycosides are also necessary for vascular health. Vitamin D is especially useful in winter time when the body does not have enough sun. Pectins have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora. Essential oils of mandarin are widely used in cosmetology to get rid of stretch marks.

Mandarin pulp elevates and clears the respiratory tract. It is useful for people suffering from asthma or frequent bronchitis to drink tangerine juice (in the absence of allergies). Drinking tangerine juice will help you lose weight by 1.5% in 2 months.

But people with diseases of the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract should be more careful with this fruit.

Orange.

Orange contains many vitamins. Most of all it contains vitamins C, E and PP. There are also a lot of trace elements in the orange. These include potassium, calcium and magnesium. There is also a lot of dietary fiber in the orange, which contributes to the removal of waste products and toxins from the body. Orange reduces the effects of alcohol poisoning.

The aroma of orange helps to calm down. It is used to treat neuroses, fears, headaches.

Pomelo.

Pomelo, like all other citrus fruits, is rich in vitamins, microelements (potassium,
calcium, phosphorus) and essential oils.

The enzymes that make up the pomelo contribute to the active breakdown of fats and proteins. This fruit is often included in the weight loss menu. It is suitable for a three-day mono diet.

Pomelo normalizes blood pressure and stimulates the heart, so it will be very useful for people with cardiovascular diseases.

Lime.

Another fruit from the citrus family is the lime. Lime juice strengthens the walls of capillaries, thanks to the potassium it contains, and calcium and phosphorus, which are part of the lime, will protect your teeth from caries. Lime also improves immunity and helps in the fight against excess weight. Lime fat burning drink is very easy to make. To do this, dilute the juice of one lime in a glass of warm water. You need to drink this drink 2 glasses a day for a week.

Kumquat.

The next fruit is the kumquat. It is called the fruit of the wise. Kumquats are eaten with the skin on. Its sweet taste well complements the sourness of the pulp. In addition to the high content of vitamins and pectin substances, kumquat has a very low calorie content - 100 grams of fruit contains 70 calories. In addition, kumquat helps to get rid of a hangover.

Grapefruit.

Grapefruit removes excess fluid from the body and activates the fat burning process. If you eat half a grapefruit before each meal, then after three months you can lose from 2 to 4.5 kilograms.

Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice strengthens the nervous system and is very useful for physical and mental fatigue.

A glass of grapefruit juice on an empty stomach (in the absence of stomach problems) will increase intestinal motility, thanks to the pectin included in it. But, remember: grapefruit should not be used in conjunction with drugs.

Lemon.

Lemon is well known to everyone as a good remedy for colds and flu. Lemon is also useful for people suffering from palpitations, urinary and gallstone disease, respiratory diseases, gout, hypertension and rheumatism.

Lemon, like other citrus fruits, will help you lose weight, as citric acid slows down the absorption of carbohydrates and improves digestion. Lemon is also good for external use.

Lemon juice diluted with water is useful to gargle and wipe the face. Lemon is an excellent antiseptic.

Lemon juice with water adds shine to hair. A peel of lemon whitens tooth enamel and strengthens the gums.

Sweetie.

The last fruit included incitrus family, which I want to talk about - Sweetie. It is less common in Russia, but no less useful.

It is also called oroblanco or pomelit, as it is a hybrid of white grapefruit and pomelo.

Unlike their "parents", suites are sweeter and healthier.

Sweety effectively reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Overweight people or those with cardiovascular diseases are advised to drink half a glass of sweetie juice for a month. Green citrus can be eaten with a spoon, cut in half, or can be divided into slices like an orange.

Only the most timid traveler, once in exotic country, embarrassed by the appearance, smell or name, will refuse to try any unfamiliar fruit. Accustomed to apples and oranges, tourists can hardly force themselves to bite off a piece of mangosteen, durian or herring. Meanwhile, it is the gastronomic revelation that can become one of the most vivid impressions of the entire trip.

The following are exotic fruits different countries- with a photo, description and English equivalents of names.

Durian

The fruits of durian - "a fruit with the taste of heaven and the smell of hell" - are irregular oval in shape, with very sharp thorns. Under the skin - viscous pulp with unique taste. The “king of fruits” has a strong ammonium smell, so strong that durian is forbidden to be transported on airplanes and carried into hotel rooms, as evidenced by the corresponding posters and signs at the entrance. Thailand's most fragrant and most exotic fruit is very rich in vitamins and nutrients.

A few rules for those who want to taste (by no means try!) Durian:

• Do not try to choose the fruit yourself, especially in the off season. Ask the seller about this, let him cut and pack it in a transparent film. Or find already packaged fruit in the supermarket.
• Lightly press down on the pulp. It should not be elastic, but easily slip under your fingers, like butter. Elastic pulp already smells unpleasant.
• It is undesirable to combine with alcohol, since the pulp of durian acts on the body as a stimulant of great power. Thais believe that durian warms the body, and a Thai proverb says that the "heat" of durian can be tempered with the coolness of mangosteen.

Where to try: Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia.

Season: April to September, depending on the region.

Mangosteen

Other names are mangosteen, mangosteen. This delicate fruit with thick purple skin and round leaves at the stalk. White pulp resembles a peeled orange and has a sweet and sour taste that is difficult to describe. Inside the mangosteen are six or more soft white slices: the more there are, the fewer seeds. To choose the right mangosteen, you need to take the most purple fruits in your hand and gently squeeze: the peel should not be hard, but not very soft either. If the skin breaks unevenly in different places, the fetus is already stale. You can open the fruit by making a hole in the peel with a knife and fingers. Do not try to take the slices with your hands: the pulp is so tender that you just crush it. Handles transportation well.

Where to try: Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica.

Season:

Jackfruit

Other names - Indian breadfruit, eve. It is a large fruit with thick, spiky, yellow-green skin. The pulp is yellow, sweet, with an unusual smell and taste of a Duchesse pear. The segments are separated from each other and sold in bags. The ripened pulp is eaten fresh, the unripe is cooked. Jackfruit is mixed with other fruits, added to ice cream, coconut milk. The seeds are edible when boiled.

Where to try: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore.

Season: January to August, depending on the region.

Lychee (Lychee)

Other names - litchi, Chinese plum. The heart-shaped or round fruit grows in clusters. Under the bright red skin is a white transparent pulp, juicy and sweet in taste. In the off-season in Asian countries, these tropical fruits sold in canned or in plastic bags.

Where to try: Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Australia, China.

Season: from May to July.

Mango

One of the most popular fruits in all tropical countries. The fruits are large, ovoid, elongated or spherical in shape. The pulp is yellow and orange, juicy, sweet. The smell of mango resembles the aroma of apricot, rose, melon, lemon. Unripe green fruits are also eaten - they are eaten with salt and pepper. It is convenient to peel the fruit with a sharp knife.

Where to try: Philippines, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba.

Season: year-round; peak in Thailand from March to May, in Vietnam in winter and spring, in Indonesia from September to December.

Papaya

big fruit with yellow-green skin. The cylindrical fruits of exotic fruits reach 20 centimeters in length. Taste is a cross between melon and pumpkin. Ripe papaya has bright orange flesh that is extraordinarily tender and pleasant to eat and aids in digestion. Unripe papaya is added to a spicy Thai salad (som tam), it is fried, and meat is stewed with it.

Where to try: India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bali, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia.

Season: all year round.

Longan

Other names are lam-yai, "dragon's eye". It is a round, brown fruit, similar to small potatoes. Very sweet and juicy and high in calories. Easily peelable skin covers a transparent white or pink pulp, close in consistency to jelly. In the core of the fruit is a large black bone. Longan is good for health, but you should not eat a lot at once: this will lead to an increase in body temperature.

Where to try: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China.

Season: mid-June to mid-September.

Rambutan

Rambutan is one of the most famous tropical fruits , which is characterized by "increased hairiness." Under the red fleecy skin lies a white translucent flesh with a sweet taste. To get to it, you need to "twist" the fruit in the middle. The fruits are eaten fresh or canned with sugar. raw seeds poisonous, but fried ones are harmless. When choosing, you need to be guided by color: the pinker, the better.

Where to try: Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, India, partly Colombia, Ecuador, Cuba.

Season: mid-April to mid-October.

Pitaya

Other names are pitahaya, long yang, "dragon fruit", "dragon fruit". This is the fruit of a cactus from the genus Hylocereus (sweet pitaya). Very beautiful in appearance: bright pink, the size of large apple, slightly elongated shape. The peel is covered with large scales, the edges are green. If you remove the skin (as in the case of an orange), inside you can see a dense white, red or purple flesh with many small seeds. Good in fruit cocktails in combination with lime.

Where to try: Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, partially Japan, USA, Australia, Israel.

Season: all year round.

Carambola (Carambola)

Other names are "tropical stars", starfruit, kamrak. Its yellow or green fruits are similar in size and shape to sweet peppers. On the cut, they have the shape of a star - hence the name. Ripe fruits are juicy, with a slight floral taste, not very sweet. Unripe fruits contain a lot of vitamin C. They are good in salads and smoothies, they do not need to be peeled.

Where to try: Borneo island, Thailand, Indonesia.

Season: all year round.

Pomelo

This fruit has a lot of names - pomelo, pamela, pompelmus, Chinese grapefruit, sheddock, etc. The citrus fruit looks like a huge grapefruit with white, pink or yellow pulp, which, however, is much sweeter. It is widely used in cooking and cosmetology. The smell is the best guide when buying: the stronger it is, the more concentrated, rich and fresh the taste of the pomelo will be.

Where to try: Malaysia, China, Japan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Tahiti, Israel, USA.

Season: all year round.

Guava

Other names are guava, guava. Round, oblong or pear-shaped fruit (4 to 15 centimeters) with white flesh and yellow hard seeds. Edible from skin to bone. When ripe, the fruit turns yellow, and it is eaten with the peel - to improve digestion and stimulate the heart. Unripe, it is eaten like a green mango, sprinkled with spices and salt.

Where to try: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Tunisia.

Season: all year round.

Sapodilla (Sapodilla)

Other names are sapotilla, tree potato, akhra, chicu. A fruit that looks like a kiwi or a plum. The ripe fruit has a milky-caramel taste. Sapodilla can "knit" a little, like a persimmon. Most often it is used for making desserts and salads. Unripe fruits are used in cosmetology and traditional medicine.

Where to try: Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, USA (Hawaii).

Season: from September to December.

Sugar Apple

A very useful pale green fruit. Under the pronouncedly bumpy marsh-green skin, sweet, fragrant flesh and bean-sized seeds are hidden. Aroma with barely perceptible coniferous notes. Ripe fruits are moderately soft to the touch, unripe - hard, overripe falling apart in the hands. Serves as the basis for Thai ice cream.

Where to try: Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, China.

Season: from June to September.

Chompoo

Other names are rose apple, Malabar plum. It is shaped like a sweet pepper. It comes in both pink and light green. The pulp is white, dense. It is not necessary to clean it, there are no bones. The taste is not particularly distinguished by anything and resembles more slightly sweetened water. But when chilled, these tropical fruits quench their thirst well.

Where to try: India, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Colombia.

Season: all year round.

Aki (Ackee)

Aki, or bligia delicious, is pear-shaped with a red-yellow or orange skin. After full ripening, the fruit bursts, and a creamy pulp with large glossy seeds comes out. These are the most dangerous exotic fruits in the world: unripe (unopened) fruits are highly poisonous due to the high content of toxins. They can only be eaten after special treatment, such as prolonged boiling. Aki tastes like a walnut. In West Africa, soap is made from the skin of the unripe fruit, and the pulp is used to catch fish.

Where to try: USA (Hawaii), Jamaica, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Australia.

Season: January to March and June to August.

Ambarella (Ambarella)

Other names are Cythera apple, yellow plum, Polynesian plum, sweet mombin. Oval fruits of golden color with a thin hard peel are collected in clusters. Inside - crispy, juicy, yellow flesh and hard bone with thorns. It tastes like a cross between pineapple and mango. Ripe fruits are eaten raw, juices, jams, marmalade are prepared from them, unripe fruits are used as a side dish, added to soups.

Where to try: Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Fiji, Australia, Jamaica, Venezuela, Brazil, Suriname.

Season: from July to August.

Bam-balan (Bambangan)

Winner in the nomination "The most native taste". Bam-balan resembles borscht with sour cream or mayonnaise. The fruit is oval in shape, dark in color, the smell is a bit harsh. To get to the pulp, you just need to remove the skin. Fruit is also added to garnishes.

Where to try: Borneo island (Malaysian part).

Salak (Salak)

Other names are lard, herring, rakum, "snake fruit". Round or oblong small fruits grow in clusters. Color - red or brown. The peel is covered with small spines and can be easily removed with a knife. There are three sweet segments inside. The taste is rich, sweet and sour, reminiscent of either persimmon or pear.

Where to try: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

Season: all year round.

Bael (Bael)

Other names are tree apple, stone apple, Bengal quince. When ripe, the gray-green fruit turns yellow or brown. The peel is dense, just like a nut, and it is impossible to get to it without a hammer, so the pulp itself is most often sold in the markets. It is yellow, with fleecy seeds, divided into segments. Bail is eaten fresh or dried. It is also used to make tea and sharbat drink. The fruit has an irritating effect on the throat, causing itching, so the first experience of interacting with bail may be unsuccessful.

Where to try: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand.

Season: from November to December.

Kiwano

Also - horned melon, African cucumber, horned cucumber. When ripe, the shell is covered with yellow spikes, and the flesh becomes a rich green color. Oblong fruits are not peeled, but cut like a melon or watermelon. Taste is a mix of banana, melon, cucumber, kiwi and avocado. In other words, it can be added to both sweet and spicy dishes and marinate. Unripe fruits are also edible.

Where to try: Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Israel, USA (California).

Season: all year round.

Magic Fruit (Miracle Fruit)

Other names are wonderful berries, sweet puteria. The name of the exotic fruit was deservedly deserved. The taste of the fruit itself does not stand out in any way, but for an hour it will seem to a person that everything he eats after is sweet. taste buds deceives a special protein contained in magical fruits - miraculin. Sweet foods seem tasteless.

Where to try: West Africa, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Australia, USA (South Florida).

Season: all year round.

Tamarind (Tamarind)

Tamarind, or Indian date, belongs to the legume family, but it is also consumed as a fruit. Curved fruits up to 15 centimeters long with brown skin and sweet and sour pulp. It is used as a spice, is part of the famous Worcestershire sauce and is used for the preparation of snacks, desserts and various drinks. Sweets are prepared from ripe dried tamarind. As a souvenir, tourists bring home meat sauce and cocktail syrup based on Indian dates.

Where to try: Thailand, Australia, Sudan, Cameroon, Oman, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama.

Season: from October to February.

Marula (Marula)

Fresh marula is found exclusively on the African continent, and all because after ripening, the fruits begin to ferment in a matter of days. It turns out like this low alcohol drink(you can meet elephants "drunk" from marula). Ripe fruits are yellow in color and look like plums. The flesh is white, with a hard bone. Until the fermentation process begins, it has a pleasant aroma and unsweetened taste.

Where to try: South Africa (Mauritius, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Botswana, etc.)

Season: since March.

Kumquat (Kumquat)

Other names are Japanese orange, fortunella, kinkan, Golden Apple. The fruits are small, really look like mini-oranges, the crust is very thin. Edible whole, excluding bones. It tastes a little sourer than an orange, smells like a lime.

Where to try: China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Greece (Corfu), USA (Florida).

Season: from May to June, on sale all year round.

Citron (Citron)

Other names are Buddha's hand, cedrat, Corsican lemon. A trivial content is hidden behind external originality: oblong fruits are an almost continuous peel, reminiscent of lemon in taste and violet in smell. It can only be used for making compotes, jellies and candied fruits. Often the hand of the Buddha is planted in a pot as an ornamental plant.

Where to try: China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, India.

Season: from October to December.

Pepino (Pepino Dulce)

Also - sweet cucumber, melon pear. Formally, this is a berry, although it is very large. The fruits are varied, come in different sizes, shapes and colors, some have a bright yellow color with red or purple strokes. The pulp tastes like melon, pumpkin and cucumber. Overripe pepino are not tasty, just like unripe ones.

Where to try: Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, Indonesia.

Season: all year round.

Mameya (Mamey)

Other names are sapota. The fruit is small, round. Inside - orange pulp, to taste, as you might guess, resembles an apricot. It is added to pies and cakes, canned, and jelly is prepared from unripe fruits.

Where to try: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Antilles, USA (Florida, Hawaii), Southeast Asia.

Naranjilla

Other names are naranjilla, lulo, the golden fruit of the Andes. Outwardly, naranjilla looks like a shaggy tomato, although it tastes like pineapple and strawberries. Pulp juice is used to make fruit salads, ice cream, yogurt, biscuits, sweet sauces and smoothies.

Where to try: Venezuela, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile.

Season: from September to November.

Other names are Indian mulberry, cheese fruit, pig apple. The fruit is the size of a potato or a large plum, the skin is translucent. When ripe, noni turns from green to yellow and almost white. Noni has a sharp aroma and bitter taste, which is why it is sometimes called the "vomit fruit". Popular rumor ascribes to noni the properties of curing almost half of the diseases, and some call it the most useful exotic fruit.

Where to try: Malaysia, Polynesia, Australia, Southeast Asia.

Season: all year round.

Jabuticaba (Jabuticaba)

Also Jaboticaba, a Brazilian grape tree. The fruits, which look like grapes or currants, grow in clusters on trunks and main branches. The skin is bitter. Juices are made from the pulp alcoholic drinks, jelly, marmalade.

Juicy and fragrant fruits are shaped like a melon, reach a length of 25 centimeters, a width of 12 centimeters. The skin is slightly hard, red-brown. The flesh is white, sour-sweet, the seeds are arranged in five nests. It is eaten fresh and used to make juices, yoghurts, liqueurs, jams, sweets and chocolates. It is believed that the most delicious cupuaçu is the one that fell to the ground.

Where to try: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Colombia.

Season: all year round.

Marang

Marang fruits are elongated, thick skin covered with thorns that harden as they ripen. Inside - white slices with seeds, are quite large, with a third of the palm. Everyone describes the taste in their own way. So, some are sure that it resembles ice cream in waffle cup, others - like marshmallow. Others can't describe their feelings at all. Marang is not exported because it spoils instantly. If the dents do not straighten out when pressed, it must be eaten urgently. If the fetus is slightly squeezable, it should be allowed to lie down for a couple of days. Marang is usually eaten fresh but is also used in desserts and cocktails. The seeds are roasted or boiled.

Where to try: Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Borneo, Australia.

Season: from August to the end of April.

fruits of thailand

Fruit is sold all year round, although in the off season mangosteen, for example, is not very common, and pineapples are twice as expensive. You can buy in the markets, from street stalls, from merchants with mobile carts.

Pineapple, banana, guava, jackfruit, durian, melon, carambola, coconut, lychee, longan, longkong, mango, mangosteen, tangerine, mapla, noina, papaya, pitaya, pomelo, rambutan, herring, sapodilla, tamarind, jujube.

Fruits of Vietnam

Vietnam, one of the largest suppliers of fruits in the world market, can seriously compete even with Thailand. Most fruit in the south of Vietnam. In the off season, prices for especially exotic fruits can increase by 2-3 times.

Avocado, pineapple, watermelon, banana, guava, jackfruit, durian, melon, star apple, green orange, carambola, coconut, lychee, longan, mango, mangosteen, tangerine, passion fruit, milk apple, mombin, noina, papaya, pitahaya, rambutan, rose apple, sapodilla, tangerine, citron.

fruits of india

India is located in several climatic zones at once, which creates favorable conditions for growing fruits that are characteristic of both tropical and temperate zones (highlands). On the shelves you can find familiar apples, peaches and grapes and exotic coconuts, papaya and sapodilla.

Avocado, pineapple, anonna (cherimoya), watermelon, banana, guava, guava, jackfruit, fig, carambola, coconut, mango, tangerine, passion fruit, papaya, sapodilla, tamarind.

Egyptian fruits

Harvest in Egypt is harvested in spring and autumn, so the "season" of fruit is almost always here. The exception is the border periods, for example, early spring, when the "winter" fruits have already departed, and the "summer" ones are just on the way.

Apricot, quince, orange, watermelon, banana, grape, pomegranate, grapefruit, pear, guava, melon, fig, cantaloupe, carambola, kiwi, red banana, lemon, mango, marania, medlar, pepino, peach, pitaya, pomelo, sugar apple, physalis, date, persimmon.

Fruits in Cuba

In contrast to the same Egypt, the seasons in Cuba are expressed much more clearly. All year round you can buy pineapples, oranges, bananas, guava, papaya. In July-August the most delicious mango, in summer the season of mamonchillo, cherimoya, carambola and avocado also starts, in spring - coconuts, watermelons, grapefruits.

Avocado, Pineapple, Annona, Orange, Banana, Barbados Cherry, Grapefruit, Guava, Caimito, Carambola, Coconut, Lime, Lemon, Mamonchillo, Mango, Passion Fruit, Papaya, Sapodilla, Tamarind, Cherimoya.

Fruit in the Dominican Republic

In the tropical Dominican Republic, there are predictably a lot of fruits: from the most familiar ones like bananas and pineapples to exotic ones - granadillas, mamonchillos and sapots.

Avocado, pineapple, annona, watermelon, banana, granadilla, pomegranate, grapefruit, guanabana, melon, caimito, kiwi, coconut, mamonchillo, mammon, mango, passionfruit, sea grapes, medlar, noni, papaya, pitahaya, sapota.

Among all fruits, a special place is occupied by the fruits of citrus plants. They differ not only in their taste and benefits, but also in their great variety. To better understand the fruits, it is worth studying the list of citrus fruits with their features and specific characteristics.

General characteristics of citrus fruits

Before analyzing the issue with varieties of citrus fruits, it is necessary to determine the place of these plants in the biological system. It is also worth identifying common features that unite citrus fruits, determine the characteristic properties of trees and fruits.

fruit tree properties

Citrus - a rank in biological systematics that unites flowering woody plants of the Rut family. Numerous citrus fruit grouped in the genus Citrus.

This is a family of evergreen trees and shrubs. The name of citrus plants and fruits comes from the Latin word "citrus". In Latin, it means "lemon tree".

Features of the structure of trees:

1. They are distinguished by a well-developed, lush and beautiful crown. The attractive appearance makes citrus trees a popular ornamental plant for home growing.
2. The life expectancy of a culture is several decades.
3. In most cases, they have spines or thorns on the stems.
4. The leaves are dense, containing essential oil. Most citrus leaves are medium to large in size. The shape of the leaves is elongated, with a pointed end.
5. The flowers are white, less often with a slight shade of pink.
6. Poorly tolerate cold, non-frost-resistant plants.
7. Plants are demanding on moisture, but do not like excessive moisture.
8. For normal development need a lot of sunlight, but it should not be direct.

fruit properties

Citrus fruits are called hesperidia. This term refers to a berry-like fruit with a specific structure.

1. The outer layer forms the peel. It can be single layer, double layer or multilayer. The outer hard shell, usually shiny, contains glands with essential oil and carotenoids. Under the shell is the inner dry layer of the peel, which has a spongy and loose structure. It provides a bunch of peel with pulp. The difficulty of separating the pulp depends on the structural features of the inner layer of the peel.
2. The pulp often consists of several slices. Each slice in its structure contains sacs that are filled with juice.
3. The pulp contains seeds. Their number and size vary depending on the type of citrus.

The fruits of most citrus plants are very healthy and contain a large amount of vitamins, nutrients and trace elements.

Criteria for distinction

All citrus plants, in addition to common features, have features. They allow you to distinguish fruits and highlight each species from the whole variety.

Varieties differ in the growth of trees. Some plants are large. So, an orange can reach a height of up to 15 m. Other citrus fruits are of medium height. Most types of citrus grow up to 5-6 m. There are also plants that are undersized and do not reach 2-2.5 m.

An important criterion for difference is the maturation time. Citrus trees are evergreens. Under optimal conditions, they can flower and bear fruit all year round, with multiple harvests throughout the year. Each citrus has a specific ripening period, which fits in the period from mid or late autumn to late winter. More precise dates depend on the type of citrus and its variety. There are early, mid-season and late-ripening varieties.

Criteria for distinguishing fruits:

1. Form. Most citrus fruits are round or oval in shape. But there are species with a pear-shaped or even bizarre shape.
2. Size. Types of citrus fruits are very diverse in terms of fruit size. Fruits are large, medium or small. They can be from 3-5 cm to 25-30 cm.
3. Taste. The taste of fruits is also very diverse. Most of them contain sugar and acids, so the taste is sweetish-sour. The intensity depends on the specific content and proportions of the compounds. In some species, a sweetish aftertaste prevails. Lemon is sour. Some hesperidia have a bitter taste of varying intensity.
4. Fruits differ in the thickness of the peel, the structure of the pulp and seeds. Species with a thin crust and juicy pulp are of the greatest value.
5. Fruits differ in the color of the constituent elements of hesperidium. The predominant colors are orange and yellow. Available colors are red, green and white.

Common types

It is problematic to list and characterize all types of citrus fruits. Therefore, we highlight the most common and interesting options. For each of the above species, we note the specific properties and characteristics.

Citron

The hesperidium of the citron is the largest of all citrus fruits.

• The length of the fruit can reach 40 cm.
• Diameter - up to 29 cm.
• The shape is elongated.
• Skin color is yellow.
• Thick peel up to 5 cm.
• The inner flesh is low juicy.
• Taste - sour or sour-sweet, with bitterness.
• It has no nutritional value.

An interesting and exotic variety is the Hand of the Buddha. A feature of this plant is the appearance of hesperidium. It is divided into several parts extending from the base. Reminds me of human fingers. Each "finger" has a thick rind and a small amount of sap-containing tissue. The fruits of the Buddha Hand variety are distinguished by a strong aroma.

Lemon

Natural hybrid of citron and sour orange. The fruit is elongated from the base to the top. Diameter - about 6 cm, length - about 9 cm. The peel is thick, up to 40% of the total weight of the fruit, difficult to separate, the surface is ribbed. Color - light yellow. The taste is sour. The specific aroma is due to the presence of essential (lemon) oil in all elements of the plant.

Common varieties of lemon suitable:

• for cultivation at home - Pavlovsky, Panderose, Genoa, Meyer, Lisbon, Lunario, etc .;
• for food purposes - Lisbon, Villa Franca, Meyer.

Grapefruit

Random hybrid of pomelo and orange. The fruit is large, diameter is about 12-14 cm. The taste is sweetish with sourness and hints of bitterness. The intensity of the red hue indicates the concentration of sugar. The higher the concentration, the sweeter the fruit. The color of the pulp is from light yellow to red-ruby. The surface is yellow with a reddish tint.

There are about two dozen varieties of this fruit. They are divided into two large groups according to the color of the pulp:

• white;
• red.

Popular varieties: Rio Red, Star Ruby, Flame.

Orange

The most common citrus crop. A cross between a pomelo and a mandarin. But not all researchers share this view. 100% "parent" orange plants have not been established.

Hesperidium has a medium or large size, about 10-13 cm. The peel is of medium thickness, it is separated from the flesh with effort. The skin color is bright orange or orange with a yellow tint. The pulp is juicy. The taste is sweet with sourness.

Mandarin

The most common types of citrus fruits in Asian countries in the south and southeast of the continent. The fruits are thin and easy to separate from the pulp. In addition to the taste and useful elements contained, this is one of the benefits of the fruit. The size of the fruit is small, about 5-6 cm in diameter. The shape is rounded, slightly flattened at the base. The pulp has a yellow-orange color. The slices are easily separated from each other. The fruit in question has a strong specific and recognizable aroma. The pulp is sweet.

pomelo

Other names for the fruit are Pompelmus, Sheddock. The shape of the fruit is round or pear-shaped. Hesperidium is covered with a thick skin. The color of ripe fruits is from light green to yellow. The fruit is the second largest among citrus fruits. The diameter is about 30 cm. There are pomelo weighing about 10 kg. Differs in large-sized juice fibers and drier pulp, relative to other citrus fruits. The taste is pleasant, sour-sweet with slight hints of bitterness.

Common varieties of pomelo: Khao Horn, Khao Namfung, Khao Pen, Khao Fuang, Tongdi.

Pomeranian

Other names for the fruit are kinotto or bigaradiya. A hybrid of mandarin and pomelo. The fruit is small in size, dark bright orange in color. Hesperidium is small, about 5-6 cm in diameter. The peel is thick, with pronounced irregularities, easily separated. The pulp is sour with a bitter taste.

Lime

Origin from India. Fruit up to 6 cm in diameter. The Mexican lime is a product of the domestication of citrus and the citrus micrania. The shape is ovoid. The pulp is juicy, light green with a yellowish tint. The taste is very sour. The peel is very thin, green or yellow. Specific aroma, different from lemon.

Trifoliata

Another name for poncirus three-leafed. Hesperidium is small, about 50 mm in diameter. The peel is soft, densely covered with a velvety fluff, golden yellow. The pulp is bitter-sour, inedible. The most frost-resistant type of citrus, can withstand temperatures down to -20 ° C.

hybrids

Citrus fruit trees and shrubs interact well with each other. The facts of natural crossing are known, as a result of which magnificent varieties were obtained. To develop fruits with new properties, various hybrids are also being actively created using artificial, directional crossing.

Citrus fruits resulting from hybridization:

1. Rangpur (the Japanese name for the fruit is "heim", the Brazilian name is "kravo") is the result of crossing a mandarin and a lemon. The fruit is dark orange. It has a very sour taste. The size is small, about 50 mm.
2. Clementine - came from the hybridization of mandarin and orange Kinglet. The clementine fruit is similar in appearance to the tangerine, but has a sweeter flavor. Valued not only for taste, but also for content a large number ascorbic acid. There are three main types of clementine - Corsican, Spanish and Montreal.
3. Sweety (oroblanco or pomelit) is a hybrid of pomelo and white grapefruit. The skin is thick Green colour. It has a sweet taste. Medium sized fruit. It is an excellent antidepressant and normalizes blood pressure.
4. Thomasville (citranzhquat) is a hybrid of citrange and kumquat.
5. Tangelo is the result of crossing a tangerine and a grapefruit. The fruit is large, 10-15 cm, with a small growth at the base. Taste is sour.
6. Calamandin (citrofontunella) is a hybrid of mandarin and kumquat (fortunella). The fruit is small.

After reviewing the general list of fruits of citrus plants, it is easier to determine which fruits are useful, differ good taste or undesirable for consumption.