Only a few individuals are aware of how healthy Florida Citrus is, although citrus is one of the most delectable foods on earth. Because of its nutrient-dense qualities, citrus may provide many nutrition and health advantages to your everyday life.
One of the world’s major citrus-producing states is Florida. Its temperate environment and rich soil produce luscious, thin-skinned citrus fruits that are bursting with juice.
Citrus Department Of Florida
Florida’s identity is inextricably linked to citrus, which is also a part of the state’s history, scenery, and seductive legacy even now.
Orange juice is the state’s official drink, orange blossoms are the official state flower, and oranges are the honorary state fruit of the Sunny State. Additionally, as part of a 1949 tradition, you will receive a complimentary cup of Florida citrus orange juice when you visit any of the Certified Florida Welcome Centers on your trip into the territory.
Choose Florida oranges right from the tree, bathed in sunlight and encircled by a waft of fragrant aroma that begs you to nibble; find juicy, delicately-skinned Florida grapefruit; and savor the supreme deliciousness of Florida mandarins and tangerines there. It is that fantastic.
The tropical climate of Florida, together with its plentiful rainfall, plenty of sunlight, and sandy ground, when paired with committed producers, provides the world’s tastiest and juiciest citrus. Learn some interesting information about the famous Florida Citrus fruits below.
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Citrus Fruits
Florida citrus producers generate a variety of citrus fruits, such as oranges, and grapefruit, and specialty fruits such as tangerines, tangelos, and Temple oranges.
Oranges
The main Florida orange kinds include Valencia, Hamlin, Navel, Pineapple, and Ambersweet. October to June is when young oranges are usually available. An orange contains around 88% vitamin C purely.
Grapefruit
The main Florida grapefruit kinds include Ruby Red, Flame, Thompson, Marsh, and Duncan. September to June is when fresh grapefruit is usually available. Treat your hands and feet to a container of soothing water infused with entirely Florida grapefruit juice following a demanding day.
Specialty Fruit
Florida mandarins and tangerines are among the few specialty fruits that growers in the state cultivate. These fresh fruits are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients. The peak time for them lasts from October until April. Mandarin oranges aren’t oranges.
To prevent misunderstandings, they are frequently referred to as “mandarins.” Tangerines are mandarins with a rich orange-red hue.
How is Florida Citrus Grown?
In Florida, citrus is harvested only when it reaches maturity, and it does not continue to ripen after harvest. Thus, laborers meticulously choose the fruit by hand and pack it into sizable canvas bags at the appropriate time.
The gathered fruit is subsequently transported from the orchard to wayside tractor-trailers by use of specialized vehicles known as “goats,” which are loaded with the bags. Fresh citrus is harvested and transported to packing plants for cleaning, grading, and packing. Trucks deliver citrus-harvested juice to processing facilities so that the juice may be extracted.
Explore the Citrus Industry
At Clermont’s Showcase of Fruit, you may choose your own fresh Florida fruit if you want to see the entire process firsthand.
Al’s Family Farms in Fort Pierce offers tours of a true Florida packing house, while Ridge Island Groves in Haines City offers a working agricultural tour.
You are welcome to pick oranges from a tree there. Bite into one when it’s still hot from the sun for unparalleled pleasure.
Health Benefits
The best five health advantages of Florida citrus are as follows:
Flavonoid
One flavonoid that can be isolated from tangerines that has been shown to combat obesity is nobiletin. Citrus fruits, which contain nobiletin, may also help prevent type 2 diabetes, which is frequently linked to obesity. This is a compelling argument for eating more citrus fruit.
Heart Health
According to American Heart Association research, women who ate a lot of flavanone-containing foods, such as oranges as well as other pure citrus, succeeded in reducing their danger of stroke by 19%. Consuming citrus from Florida can have a significant impact on your long-term health.
Cancer Prevention
Certain substances in Satsuma Mandarins have been shown by Japanese researchers to be able to inhibit or stop the formation of tumors in the tongue, the intestines, and the lungs. These substances can also be detected in other varieties of the citrus of Florida.
Vitamin C
The majority of individuals are mindful of the various health advantages of vitamin C, which is abundant in Florida Citrus Fruit. However, a majority are unaware of the fact that vitamin C is also required for healthy vision.
Vitamin C is necessary for healthy nerve fibers in the retina. This offers even more motivation to give citrus gift packages to others in addition to ingesting citrus. Gift baskets filled with citrus fruits not only express your affection for someone special, but they may also help them stay healthier.
Stress Reduction
Researchers have shown that linalool, an aromatic chemical present in lemons and other citrus fruits of Florida, lowers stress levels. Citrus oil is frequently used by essential oil doctors to make relaxing mixtures for their patients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is citrus cultivated in Florida?
In the southern two-thirds of the Florida island, where freezing temperatures are rare, a large portion of citrus is cultivated. Although Polk County in the state’s center continues to be the largest citrus-producing town, citrus producers from the central and northern areas steadily moved southward following a string of freezing in the 1980s.
How should fresh citrus from Florida be stored?
While October through June is a good time to get Florida oranges, December to May is when the biggest yields occur. September to June is when raw Florida grapefruit is delivered, with February being the busiest harvest month. Depending on the kind, you can find tangerines, tangelos, and temple oranges from October to March.
When is the citrus season in Florida?
In Florida, citrus is not plucked before it reaches maturity and is not allowed to mature any further once it is plucked. Florida citrus is always juicy and prepared to eat when it gets to your neighborhood grocer.
All citrus from Florida should be kept in your fridge’s crisper, where they will maintain their peak nutritional value and sweetness for up to three weeks. Citrus may be kept for four to five days without refrigeration in a cool, dry location.
