What is an orange? Varieties of oranges. Where the most delicious oranges grow

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

What is an orange? The pronounced aroma and pleasant taste of a tropical fruit are familiar to everyone. Everyone's favorite dessert is designed to decorate holiday tables at any time of the year. Toddlers perceive the orange miracle as a desirable source that can provide them with incredibly tasty juice. However, few people know how numerous the varieties of this plant are and how to choose the most delicious fruits. About this, and not only, you can learn from our article.

At a Glance

Orange is a fruit crop that belongs to the rue family, a genus of citrus fruits. It owes its beautiful name to the German word Apfelsine, the Dutch word appelsien. Both in translation means "Chinese apple".

It is believed that the Mediterranean is considered the birthplace of oranges, since they grow everywhere here. However, if you dig deeper, then these wild representatives are just an unsightly semblance of those plants that give us wonderful and juicy fruits. Let's briefly dive into the history of the origin of these fertile trees.

History

The first mention of oranges was noted in the annals of the ancient peoples of East Asia. The Chinese began to cultivate the wild trees mentioned above. The fruits of orange, as these plants were then called, turned out to be very bitter and unsuitable for food. But their genetic material was taken as the basis for breeding this culture.

To get the fertile tropical tree that we have today, Chinese breeders crossed two types of citrus fruits - pomelo and mandarin. The first hybrids were cultivated in the gardens of aristocrats, then they began to be grown in greenhouses. So, we found out that initially China was still the birthplace of oranges.

Currently the most popular crop growing in the subtropical and tropical countries of the world. Citrus trees migrated to Europe in the 17th century, and in the 18th century Georgian farmers began to grow them. In Sochi, hybrids began to be cultivated already in the 19th century.

Berry or fruit

Obviously, the fruits of oranges are exported to us from warm lands. Unfortunately, the climate of our country is not suitable for growing tropical plants outdoors. However, some flower growers managed to get a small crop of fragrant berries at room conditions. Yes, it’s berries, don’t let this name surprise you. Although opinions about the classification of citrus fruits are quite controversial. Some people think that these are fruits because they are large. According toothers, oranges are more like berries because of the juiciness and texture of the flesh. And someone believes that it is enough to call them simply fruits. And yet, is an orange a fruit or a berry? The botanical features of the plant will help us answer this question.

Botanical characteristics

Citrus hybrids are evergreen representatives of cultivated fruit plants. Judging by the description, oranges can exist for about 70 years. The trees themselves grow very strong. They reach a height of 10-12 meters, dwarf varieties - 5. At home, the hybrid grows up to a maximum of 70 cm.

The trees are distinguished by a dense dark green crown of a cone-shaped or rounded shape. The leaves are oval, dense, slightly pointed at the ends, sometimes wavy. Leaf plates are endowed with special glands that produce aromatic oil. Natural renewal of the crown occurs every two years. Along with the appearance of young leaves, old ones continue to grow, they nourish the plant.

Quite interestingly, citrus fruits are in the process of supplying substances necessary for growth. There are no shoots on the roots of trees, which should absorb moisture and other elements from the soil. But it works well with the colonies of fungi that are in the soil. These organisms provide the plant with minerals and moisture, and the tree, in turn, provides them with carbohydrates and amino acids.

The flowers of the hybrid are bisexual, large. They are pale pink or white in color. Inflorescences include 5-6 buds, but mayto be laid and single kidneys.

All types of citrus fruits have a typical fruit structure, including the orange. Is it a fruit or a berry? Here we come to the clarification of the question of interest to us. According to botanists, since this fruit is formed from the upper ovary of the plant, it is a hesperidium, that is, a berry-like fruit. Orange is a variety that is part of a group of similar specimens. Due to such botanical features, it is considered both a berry and a fruit.

Varieties

Since we are talking about hybrids, all cultures are divided into early, middle and late varieties. According to the characteristics of the berries, orange varieties can be divided into three batches:

• sour;
• sweet;
• tangerine.

The last two include about 97 varieties of fruits. All of them have different shapes, sizes and taste characteristics. Sweet berries include:

• light species, which, in turn, are divided into umbilical and ordinary:
• regular varieties.

Fruits with sweet pulp are oval or round in shape, yellow or deep orange in color. Their skin is thin, it fits tightly to the pulp. Common varieties include: Salustiana, Gamlin, Velencia, Verna, Parson Brown, Hamlin, Ovale Calabrese.

The umbilical varieties are easy to identify by their appearance. They are characterized by a small rounded notch, shaped like a navel. Unlikeordinary, these varieties do not have thorns on the branches. The pulp is very fragrant and juicy, there is a slight sourness in the taste. This group includes the following specimens: Navel Lathe, Navelina, Washington Navel, Kara-Kara, Thomsen Navel.

Korolkovy species are recognized by the beautiful bright pulp. Here it is worth emphasizing what oranges of this variety are. There are berries of orange, brown and bright red color. The fruits have a ribbed surface and a round shape. Their peel is much brighter than that of ordinary citrus fruits and lags well behind the pulp. These beautiful specimens have the following names: Tarocco, Sanguinello, Moro and Washington Sanguine.

Where do the most delicious oranges grow?

Sour berry hybrids grow in many countries, but are cultivated on a large scale in Spain. Because they have a peculiar bitter taste, they are often used to make marmalade.

Sweet ones were bred to be eaten, they are probably the most delicious. Grow in Spain, Turkey, Florida and Brazil.

If someone is more attracted to sweet and sour fruits, then you can opt for the Parson Brown variety, which is often used to make juice. These oranges are exported to Mexico, USA and Turkey.

Ring hybrids were bred in Sicily, so they bear the name of their homeland. Now they are grown in America, Italy and Spain.

Citrus hybrids are also cultivated in countries such as India, Greece, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Argentina, Syria,Morocco. The leading position in the supply of berries is occupied by China, the USA and Brazil.

Application areas

Since people have learned what an orange is, the range of its use has not ceased to expand. Berries absorb a huge list of trace elements and vitamins, so they are useful in winter during the period of viral infections and colds.

In medicine, they are used as an antiscorbutic agent, as well as for pathologies of the heart, blood vessels and liver. True, they should be used with caution in case of ailments of the gastrointestinal tract and intestines, since the juice of the fruits can irritate the mucous membranes of the organs. They are not recommended for allergies and diabetes.

The fruits are also used as raw materials in the perfume industry. In ancient times, the oil from them was used to eliminate acne and dandruff on the hair. The pulp of the berries restores the cells of the epidermis. Regular consumption of berries has a beneficial effect on the condition of nails, hair and skin.

Oranges are widely used in cooking, in the production of juices and confectionery. Moreover, not only the fragrant pulp is used, but also the peel of the fruit. In Eastern countries, citrus juice is poured over fatty fried foods for better digestion of food. In Jamaica, fruit halves are used as an antiseptic, wiping various surfaces with them.

Composition

The statement that the fruits of a citrus hybrid are a storehouse of useful elements will be another answer to the question of what an orange is. The chemical composition of the tropical berry is as unique as its effect on the human body. If there are no allergic reactions and other contraindications to the use of oranges, then with their help you can get rid of extra pounds. They are able to remove toxins from the body and rejuvenate it. And all this is due to the content of the following chemical elements: magnesium, copper, sodium, iron and potassium. Fruits are also rich in ascorbic acid. They have tonic and antioxidant properties. Improve physical activity and intellectual abilities.

How to choose the right fruits?

The ripeness of fruits is not always determined by the color of the peel. The severity of their shade varies depending on the weather conditions that prevailed on the plantations when they were grown. The greenish-skinned fruit may be quite ripe and sweet. But in most cases, as noted by customers, orange-skinned specimens are sweeter.

To make the choice successful, you need to remember the names of citrus fruits belonging to a particular varietal group that you especially liked. In domestic markets, specimens exported from Brazil are most valued. If you do not understand the varieties of hybrids, then it is better to purchase them.

It is important to know that the smaller the berries, the sweeter they are. Bigger ones always have more acid, so don't try to pick the largest oranges. The exception is Navel, as it is impressive on its own.

Bodyberries should be elastic, not have dents, gray and dark spots. The thickness of the peel is not a guideline for choosing sweeter fruits, it all depends on the variety and its degree of maturity.

If you accidentally bought sour citruses on the market, do not be upset. From them you can cook a wonderful wait, compote or an exquisite sauce for meat dishes. Fragrant orange slices are filled with he althy juice and have all the necessary qualities for their use in cooking. It would be nice to have dried zest available, which is used for baking or added to drinks.

Having figured out what an orange is, one cannot but agree that it was once rightly called the food of the gods. These are truly incredibly amazing berries with a wide range of uses.