The Bright and Zesty World of Citrus: A Seasonal Guide
It’s that time of year again when the shelves start to fill up with a stunning array of citrus, each bursting with vibrant colors. Whether you’re a longtime citrus fan or a bit curious about these fruits, there’s no better time to dive into the world of lemons, limes, oranges, pummelos, kumquats, mandarins, and more. These fruits add a refreshing burst of color and flavor to your winter meals, and we’re excited to share some of our top picks with you.
At the Belfast Community Co-op, we’ve picked out our top citrus varieties to help you make the most of this season’s bounty. We hope this guide introduces you to a fruit you’ve never tried before or sparks new ideas for using the citrus you already love!
How to pick out the best citrus
When shopping for citrus, here are a few tips to help you choose the best fruit:
Smell: Ripe citrus should have a strong, fragrant aroma, signaling that it’s packed with flavor.
Firmness: Look for fruit that’s of medium firmness. It should yield slightly when gently squeezed but not feel too soft or mushy.
Color: Bright, vibrant colors are usually a good indicator of ripeness. Avoid citrus with green spots unless it’s a naturally green variety, like a Key lime.
Weight: Choose fruit that feels heavy for its size—this usually indicates juiciness.
Now, let us introduce you to some of our favorite varieties!
Lemons & Limes
Key lime
Key limes are small and seedy with a tart lime flavor that’s not too acidic. They have a distinctive citrusy aroma, with pops of herbal and floral notes. These limes only grow in the United States between June and September while they can grow year round in more tropical climates.
- Try making this Chipotle Lime Chicken and Veggie Soup!
Variegated Pink Lemon
Variegated pink lemons are truly unique! These lemons are small with striped green and yellow skin. The flesh is pink with a fruity flavor that is less tart than standard lemons. You might even notice subtle floral and berry notes. The pink flesh is due to lycopene – an antioxidant you might be more familiar with in tomatoes.
- Variegated pink lemons would make a delicious Lemon Vinaigrette!
Meyer Lemon
Meyer lemons are smaller and rounder than typical lemons. They have a thinner peel that’s more fragrant. The skin is often darker yellow as well. You’ll find that these lemons are also less acidic and have a sweet subtle floral flavor. Meyer lemons are seasonal and typically are available between December and May.
- Try using Meyer lemons for lemon desserts like in this Lemon Bar recipe.
Pummelos, Kumquats, Mandarins, & Tangerines
Mandarinquat
Mandarinquats are small tear-drop-shaped fruits that are a cross between mandarins and kumquats. They are larger than kumquats and have a thin edible rind that is dark orange at maturity. The flesh is soft, sweet, and juicy. Because all parts of the mandarinquat are edible, they are best as snacks for fresh eating.
Red Globe Pummelo
Red Globe Pummelos are large round fruits – about the size of grapefruits. The rind is thinner than most pummelos with a thick spongy pith below. The bright red flesh is surrounded by bitter membranes that should be removed before eating. There are often many seeds in this variety. The taste is pleasantly described as low acidity with a sugary floral flavor and tart berry aftertaste.
- Red Globe Pummelos make an excellent addition to ceviche or fresh salsas. Swap out the grapefruit for pummelo in this ceviche recipe!
African Shaddock Pummelo
This pear-shaped citrus is very large and has lower acidity than other pummelos. They have a sweet-tart taste and are very chewy. The rind is very fragrant with a thick, spongy pith below. Peeling a pummelo and removing the bitter membrane is easy – leaving only the flesh to be eaten. The taste is generally mild, sweet, and tangy with floral and honey notes.
Try using an African Shaddock Pummelo wherever a dish calls for citrus. They are especially nice in segments added to a fresh salad! Just toss them in for a nice citrus pop!
Tangelo
Tangelos are a hybrid fruit created by crossing a tangerine with a pummelo. They are large and very juicy. The juice is tart and tangy with a moderate amount of sweetness. Many varieties of tangelo are often seedless. Because they are so easy to peel, they make for a great snack! Tangelos are also a great substitute wherever you would use oranges.
- Check out this Tangelo Chicken Pasta Salad!
Sumo Mandarin
Sumo mandarins are a cross between satsumas, oranges, and mandarins. This mandarin is especially known for its large size, often much bigger than a regular mandarin or clementine. It has a distinctive, bulbous shape with a bumpy, thick rind that is usually bright orange. Its flesh is vibrant, deep orange, and the fruit is prized for its low acidity and high sugar content. Sumo mandarins are very easy to peel and seedless making them a great option for fresh eating.
- Try using Sumo mandarins in this Mandarin Orange Cake recipe!
Oranges
Moro Blood Orange
Moro Blood Oranges are a nice round medium-sized fruit with an easy-to-peel reddish-orange skin. They are also usually seedless! Their flesh is deep burgundy with a slightly sour taste and notes of sweet berries. They are less acidic than standard oranges. Blood oranges are often used for their bright red juice and make a great addition to vinaigrettes and cocktails.
- If you want a more creative way to enjoy Moro Blood Oranges, try this Miso Blood Orange Scallop dish!
Cara Cara Navel Orange
Cara Cara Navel Oranges are medium-sized, seedless, and very sweet. They have little to no pith and are easy to peel. Cara Cara navel oranges have a unique flavor with a sweet-tart hint of cranberry, sweet berries, and rose. The flesh is a unique pinkish-red to deep coral color and is very juicy!
- Use them in this Orange-Glazed Brussels sprouts recipe!
We hope this citrus guide sparks your imagination and encourages you to try something new. The Co-op has a wide variety of citrus available, and we can’t wait for you to discover your new favorite. Whether snacking on a juicy orange, experimenting with a kumquat, or using lemon zest in your next dish, citrus is here to brighten your winter days!
All recipes and more can be found at www.grocery.coop
Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op; it is our mission and our pleasure to bring locally-sourced, reasonably priced, organic, and natural products to all.
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