What could be better than citrus to spend the winter in great shape! You are of course familiar with oranges, lemons, clementines and grapefruits, but are you also at ease with their many cousins … We have drawn up a list of citrus fruits that you absolutely must know!
The citrus are first of all trees belonging to the Rutaceae family and to the variety of citrus. But the term also designates the fruits from these same trees. These fruits, which are the most cultivated in the world, are distinguished first of all by their structure in quarters.
In the list of citrus fruits, we can cite the best known such asorange, the lemon, grapefruit, mandarin (and its hybrid form clementine), but also other species are very popular such as kumquat, sweet orange, the bigarade or kaffir lime.
The big list of citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are among the health food because they are very rich in nutrients and low in calories (on average 40 to 45 Kcal / 100 g, and only 32 for lemon). They are full of minerals, especially in potassium (1 to 180 mg / 100 g), useful against water retention, and their richness in calcium (20 mg / 100 g) contributes to strong bones.
The long list of citrus fruits includes fruits known for their vitamin C content. There is an average of 35 to 55 mg per 100 g depending on the variety, or half of the recommended daily allowance.
This vitamin helps boost the immune system. By its anti-inflammatory action, it helps to suppress the blows of fatigue and allows the body to better resist microbial attacks. It is also involved in the production of collagen, cell renewal and skin firmness.
These fruits are also a excellent source of antioxidants especially in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants which act in synergy with vitamin C, and help to fight against the aging of cells, and would make it possible to prevent cardiovascular diseases as well as certain cancers.
1- Orange
Fruit of the orange tree, orange is one of the fruits the most cultivated in the world. There are various varieties including blood orange because its pulp color draws towards blood red.
The orange is renowned for its vitamin C content and is more than 85% water. Full of fiber and minerals, it’s great for protecting eyes and veins, improving digestion, and reducing inflammation. It stimulates the body’s defense reactions, would be very interesting for cancer and bones. Available all year round, it is found from December to April. Orange is a classic in desserts.
THE’blood orangeIt has the particularity of being very rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants that fight against cell aging, improve the immune system and prevent certain cancers. It is also rich in vitamins C, A, B1 and B2.
2- Lime (lime)
Also called “lime”, lime is a small fruit native to India. Low in calories and ideal for slimming, lime is an interesting source of vitamin C. It is rich in antioxidants, compounds that help prevent cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. The lime also has a good amount of copper and of iron.
3- Lemon caviar
Lemon caviar (finger lime) is a cylindrical-shaped citrus fruit native to Australia that is filled with small balls inside. We appreciate it for its detoxifying and slimming virtues.
It is very rich in vitamin C and its small beads contain lycopene, an antioxidant from the carotenoid family, as well as essential fatty acids which contribute to the good health of the body. It also plays an important role inskin hydration and the structure of collagen.
4- Lemon
Lemon is a outstanding drainer. It tones up digestion, which facilitates the work of the liver. It is diuretic, which accelerates the final elimination of waste processed by the liver. It fights excess acidity which disrupts all organs, including the liver.
If you want to make one priest, every morning, squeeze half an organic lemon. Lay it down with the same amount of lukewarm water (or at room temperature) and drink this lemon juice on an empty stomach before breakfast. Do this for ten to fifteen days, once a quarter.
5- Pomelo and grapefruit
From the citrus family, the pomelo is very rich in nutrients: vitamin C, vitamins B9 and B5, potassium, magnesium… The more its flesh is colored, the more it participates in the supply of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotenes.
Pomelo contains antioxidants (flavonoids, limonoids, etc.) which help prevent cardiovascular disease as well as certain cancers. Pomelo can be eaten in winter and spring. It consists of 90% water and provides an average of 36.6 kcal / 100 g.
It is often confused with the grapefruit, rather cultivated in tropical countries. Grapefruit has a greenish-yellow color and thick skin. Bigger than an orange, this citrus contains 16-18 wedges and is filled with large seeds. Its juice is rich in vitamin C and contains flavonoids, antioxidants that help fight against cell aging.
Its bark contains soluble fibers which help to make lower it cholesterol blood and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. As for grapefruit seeds, they help boost the immune system. The peak grapefruit tasting season is between December and March.
6- Hand of Buddha
From the Rutaceae family, Buddha’s hand (Citrus medica) is a fragrant and spectacular citrus fruit. It comes in the form of a rude human hand with its long finger-shaped stems. These are, in fact, quarters of the fruit that are not grouped together like in other citrus fruits.
The hand of Buddha originated in India and has incredible health benefits. She helps to ease the pain, cure respiratory problems, reduce gastrointestinal problems, boost immunity and lower blood pressure.
7- Mandarin and clementine
The mandarin is a citrus fruit that comes in the form of a small, round, slightly flattened fruit with a diameter of 5 to 9 cm. It is often confused with clementine. Mandarin is the ideal fruit to deal with viruses like the flu or the common cold.
Moderator of the central nervous system, it helps to reduce insomnia, anxiety as well as digestive disorders. Rich in vitamin C, it is also appreciated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Tangerine is eaten mainly in autumn / winter and is very suitable for making jams, sweets and fruit salads.
About the Clementine, it is a fruit of the Clementine tree, a tree resulting from the cross between the mandarin tree and the orange tree. Clementine is one of the sweetest citrus fruits. Its skin varies from green to orange depending on maturity. Clementine is available from October to April, but its peak season is between November and January.
The health benefits of clementine are numerous. Low in calories and rich in vitamin C, a source of energy, it contains flavonoids that help prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease. Its carotenoid content promotes the protection and strengthening of bones. It also helps to preserve the sight thanks to its richness in vitamin A. It enhance your dishes and can be eaten naturally for breakfast, afternoon tea or dessert.
8- Bergamot
Grown mainly in Calabria, Italy, bergamot is a citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family known for its taste properties, digestive and its unique fragrance. It is widely used in perfumery and cosmetics. Its flesh is bitter and its zest very sought after.
It gives off an essential oil with a sweet and refreshing scent that helps calm skin irritations, stress and anxiety. It flavors many teas and is widely used in perfumery (for Eaux de Cologne) and in food (for commercy madeleines, tajines, bergamots from Nancy).
9- Kumquat
Originally from China, the kumquat takes its name from Chinese and translates into French as “orange d’or”. It is the smallest of the citrus fruits with a flavor that resembles that of orange and an aftertaste more similar to apricot.
Her nutritional composition varies depending on whether it is fresh (green) or dry. The kumquat is full of vitamins A, C and E, fibers and proteins and moreover its bark is an excellent source of antioxidants (flavonoids) and we derive an essence (essential oil). It is effective against digestive disorders, skin aging and cardiovascular disease.
10- Citron
Citron is an aromatic citrus fruit, native to Southeast Asia. It is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, beta-carotene, silicon, calcium, copper, phosphorus and manganese. Its vitamin C content makes it beneficial against fatigue or lack of vitality.
It also helps prevent viral diseases, colds and bronchitis. The citron also plays an antidepressant role. It helps stimulate the intellect and increase alertness.
11- Combava
the kaffir lime is a citrus fruit native to Indonesia that resembles a lime. Its parts used are often the leaves and the peel. It is rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, which are useful in slowing down the aging of the skin and boosting the immune defenses. It is beneficial against winter illnesses like the common cold.
This citrus fruit is also a good source of mineral salts, especially calcium which contributes to strong bones and teeth. Its leaves make it possible to manufacture an effective essential oil to fight against certain infections such as cystitis and to calm joint and muscle pains such as stiffness.
12- Chinotto
From the sour orange tree, a tree native to China, chinotto is a delicious citrus fruit that is valuable for health. It is used in the composition of several cosmetic products once candied or transformed into juice.
Chinotto has decongestant properties and helps fight against aging of the skin thanks to its antioxidant power. Like most citrus fruits, chinotto is very rich in vitamin C, which makes it energizing and beneficial against fatigue.
