The 16 Citrus species in the Rutacea family are probably the most important genus of subtropical and tropical fruits (think G & T with ice and slice, think homemade Moscow Mules with lime juice).

They originate from Asia, particularly China, a few are native to some of the islands in the eastern Pacific but without exception they are all evergreen (Christmas tree potential then?) and make a small tree or shrub.

One of the tallest (20-30 ft) and the very first to be recorded as growing here in ole Blighty was the Seville orange (marmalade orange, unpalatable if eaten raw, the rind is used in perfume industry to create Oil of Neroli, which is said to have been discovered by the Italian Princess of Neroli in about 1670).

The next three species to arrive were the citron, lemon and lime, which were recorded as growing in the Oxford Physic Garden in 1648. Of these the citron is thought to have been here first as it has a long history of cultivation.

The lemon has been found growing wild in northern India and there is some dispute on its true home. By the thirteenth century it was growing in the Middle East. The Crusaders are thought to have introduced it to Italy where the locals banged on about it so much that everyone just had to have one (think Ferrari, Gucci, Cornettos).

The lime only grows in the very warmest parts of the med. Thought to have been brought by the Arabs to Europe. Ole Christopher Columbus even took em to the States when he went on his holiday/ voyage of discovery. Treats the scurvy good and proper, but you have to wonder about the faces they must have all been pulling mid-Atlantic…

Now then, the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). This one seems to have been a little bit of a latecomer to the scene (all the best people turn up late to the party, no?). Legend has it that ole Vasco da Gama brought it in 1498 from the Cape of Good Hope (where it had presumably arrived via Asia). Upon arrival the orange was eaten, rather apprehensively, by Samuel Pepys (1633 – 1703). Now, this was a man who could spot a trend as it appears he was one of the first to try sipping a spot of tea.

Once here it was introduced to the Americas and during the nineteenth century the Brazilians came up with one of the most popular varieties (that one that looks like it has a tummy button on it). Seems these Brazilians have a habit of taking something and making it better (think football, introduced to them by the Scots, who’d have thought it..). It was first grown commercially in Washington State by the Americans.

So there you go; a history of the orange…