Facts About Florida Citrus

Florida has long been known for its oranges. While many people feel there is little to no difference, Florida really is home to some of the finest, most nutritious and delicious oranges out there.

Florida Citrus Fun Facts

• Florida citrus fruits tend to weigh up to 25 percent more than other citrus fruits. That is because they contain more juice and have thinner peels.
  On occasion, Florida oranges may appear greenish in color even though they are fully ripe inside. This is because of their exposure to the sun while hanging on the tree.
  Some great-tasting oranges may be pale yellow or even green.

Florida Citrus Fruit History

• Citrus fruits are not native to Florida. They were brought in during the Spanish exploration by Ponce de Leon in the early 1500s.
  Florida is second only to Brazil in producing more oranges than anywhere else in the world.
  The first citrus groves in Florida were established near St. Augustine and Tampa.
  Citrus has been commercially grown in the state of Florida since the 1800s.

Growing and Using Oranges

• The primary use for Florida oranges is to make Florida orange juice.
  Seedless oranges must have five seeds or fewer to be classified as seedless.
  Citrus fruit should be stored between 35 and 50 degrees for best results.
  Once they are picked, Florida oranges will not ripen further.

Types of Florida Citrus

• Florida is known for producing more than one kind of citrus fruit. It specializes in oranges but also produces lemons, grapefruits and tangerines in large amounts as well.

Citrus is Great for the Body

• Citrus is full of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. This helps to defend the body against free radicals that attempt to infect the body. Supplementation is one way to get enough vitamin C but it is always recommended that people get their vitamins through food, if possible.

  Eating plenty of citrus can also give the body plenty of fiber, helping you to stay fuller longer and eat less during the day.