What is an orange? The pronounced aroma and pleasant taste of the tropical fruit are familiar to everyone. Everyone's favorite dessert is designed to decorate holiday tables at any time of the year. Kids perceive the orange miracle as a welcome source that can provide them with incredibly tasty juice. However, few people know how numerous varieties of this plant are and how to choose the most delicious fruits. You can learn about this, and not only from our article.
Brief information
Orange is a fruit crop that belongs to the root family, the genus citrus. It owes its beautiful name to the German word Apfelsine, and Dutch to appelsien. Both that and another in translation means "the Chinese apple".
It is believed that the homeland of oranges is considered to be the Mediterranean, because here they grow everywhere. However, if you dig deeper, these wild representatives are just an unsightly likeness of those plants that give us wonderful and juicy fruits. Let's briefly plunge into the history of the origin of these fertile trees.
History
The first mention of oranges was noted in the chronicles of the ancient peoples of East Asia. The cultivation of wild trees, as mentioned above, the Chinese began to engage in. The fruits of orange, as these plants were called then, turned out to be very bitter and unsuitable for food. But their genetic material was taken as the basis for the breeding of this culture.
To get the fertile tropical tree that we have today, Chinese breeders crossed two types of citrus fruits - pomelo and tangerine. The first hybrids were cultivated in the gardens of aristocrats, then they began to grow in greenhouses. So, we found out that China was originally the birthplace of oranges.
Currently, it is the most popular culture growing in 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 in the 19th century.
Berry or fruit
Obviously, the fruits of oranges are exported to us from warm edges. Unfortunately, the climate of our country is not suitable for growing tropical plants in the open. However, some gardeners managed to get a small crop of fragrant berries in room conditions. Yes, it’s berries, let this name not surprise you. Although opinions on the classification of citrus fruits are quite controversial. Some people think that these are fruits, because they are large. According to others, oranges are more like berries because of the juiciness and structure of the pulp. And someone believes that it is enough to call them simply fruits. Still, 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 powerful. They reach a height of 10-12 meters, dwarf species - 5. At home, the hybrid grows to a maximum of 70 cm.
Trees are distinguished by a dense dark green crown of conical 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 crown renewal occurs every two years. Along with the appearance of young leaves, the old ones continue to grow, they nourish the plant.
Quite interestingly, the process of receipt of substances necessary for growth occurs in citrus fruits. There are no processes on the roots of trees that must absorb moisture and other elements from the soil. But it cooperates well with fungal colonies in the soil. These organisms supply 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. Inflorescences include 5-6 buds, but single buds can be laid.
All types of citrus fruits have a typical fruit structure, including orange. Is it a fruit or a berry? So we came to clarify the issue of interest to us. According to botanists, since this fruit is formed from the upper ovary of the plant, it is hesperidium, that is, a berry-like fruit. Orange is a variety that is part of a group of similar instances. Due to such botanical features, it is ranked both as a berry and as 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, the varieties of oranges can be divided into three parties:
The last two include about 97 varieties of fruits. All of them have different shapes, sizes and taste. Sweet berries include:
- light species, which, in turn, are divided into umbilical and ordinary:
- king species.
Fruits with sweet flesh are oval or round, yellow or richly orange in color. The skin is thin, it adheres to the pulp quite tightly. Common varieties include: Salustiana, Gamlin, Velencia, Verna, Parson Brown, Hamlin, Ovale Calabrese.
Umbilical grades are easy to identify in appearance. They are characterized by a small rounded notch that resembles a navel in shape. Unlike usual, these varieties do not have thorns on the branches. The pulp is very fragrant and juicy, there is a slight sourness in the taste. The following specimens are included in this group: Navel Late, Navelina, Washington Navel, Kara-Kara, Thomsen Navel.
Korolkovye species are recognized by their beautiful bright pulp. 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 from the pulp. These beautiful specimens have the following names: Tarocco, Sanguinello, Moro, and Washington Sanguine.
Where do the most delicious oranges grow?
Hybrids with sour berries grow in many countries, but they are cultivated on a large scale in Spain. Since they have a peculiar bitter aftertaste, they are more often used for the production of marmalade.
Sweets were bred for the purpose of eating them; they are probably the most delicious. Grow in Spain, Turkey, Florida and Brazil.
If someone is more attracted to sweet-sour fruits, then you can opt for Parson Brown, which is often used to make juice. These oranges export them to Mexico, the USA and Turkey.
Korolkovye hybrids were bred in Sicily, so they are named after 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 held by China, the USA and Brazil.
Fields of application
Since people learned what an orange is, the range of its application has not stopped expanding. The berries incorporate a huge list of trace elements and vitamins, therefore, they are useful in the winter during viral infections and colds.
In medicine, they are used as an anti-zingotic agent, as well as in pathologies of the heart, blood vessels, and liver. True, with caution, you need to use them for ailments of the gastrointestinal tract and intestines, since the fruit juice can irritate the mucous membranes of organs. They are not recommended for allergies and diabetes.
Also, fruits are used as raw materials in the perfume industry. In ancient times, 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 fragrant pulp is used, but also the peel of the fruit. In eastern countries, fatty fried foods are watered with citrus juice for better digestion. In Jamaica, half the fruit is used as an antiseptic, wiping them with various surfaces.
Structure
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 tropical berries 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 general strengthening and antioxidant properties. Improve physical activity and intellectual abilities.
How to choose the right fruits?
The ripeness of the fruit 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 during their cultivation. A fruit with a greenish skin can be quite ripe and sweet. But in most cases, as was noticed by buyers, the specimens with orange peel are sweeter.
In order for the choice to be successful, you need to remember the names of citrus fruits belonging to a particular varietal group, which 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 finer the berries, the sweeter they are. Large acids always contain more, so do not try to choose the largest oranges. The exception is the Nevel variety, since it is impressive in itself.
The body of the berry should be elastic, not have dents, gray or dark spots. The thickness of the peel is not a guideline for choosing more sweet fruits, it all depends on the variety and its degree of maturity.
If you accidentally bought acid citrus on the market, do not be upset. From them you can make a wonderful wait, compote or a delicious sauce for meat dishes. Fragrant orange slices are filled with healthy juice and have all the necessary qualities for use in cooking. It would be nice to have dried peel available, which is used for baking or added to drinks.
Having understood what an orange is, one cannot but agree with the fact that it was once rightly called the food of the gods. These are truly incredibly amazing berries with a wide range of uses.