14 Types Of Citrus Fruits You Need Know

Citrus is a term that refers to the fruit of any member of the citrus genus, including oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes. Citrus fruits are commonly grown in tropical and subtropical climates such as Florida or Brazil.

The benefit of citrus fruits is

Citrus fruits have unique flavor and nutrients, for this reason they are delicious to eat. To get most of citrus fruits' benefits such as vitamins, they should be consumed in their natural form.

Citrus fruit juices are made by squeezing out the pulp and separating it from the juice. Sometimes citrus fruits can be dehydrated and dried fruits that are very healthy due to their vitamin c content. The fruit is usually sweet to taste and juicy. Citrus fruits enable you to fight infections and also maintain a healthy body weight.

Citrus fruits have four main segments, the pith or albedo surrounding the flesh of the fruit (mesocarp), which in turn is surrounded by the juice vesicle (also called albedo, flavedo and commonly referred to as the peel), which finally ends up at the outermost layer of the skin (rind or exocarp).

Citrus fruits can be eaten in many ways such as whole fruit, juices, dried fruits or drinks made from the peels, like from grapefruit and orange.

Citrus fruit juices have lots of advantages compared to other drinks such as milk or beer for example, the juice contains water and vitamins as well it can reduce any bacteria that may be present in the mouth.

14 Different types of citrus fruits

1) Grapefruit

The grapefruit is a hybrid citrus fruit that is a cross between two other citrus fruits which are the pummelo and sweet orange. Grapefruit grows in tropical climates; for example, it was discovered in Barbados.

It has a unique appearance due to its thick skin, the flesh of grapefruit tastes bitter or sour but sometimes can be sweet. Grapefruit is a yellowish color, the grapefruit is quite large in size and it is smaller than other citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons.

Grapefruits are used for many purposes; they are eaten whole or segmented, and can be made from the juice or as an ice cream base. Grapefruits are also used as a garnish on many dishes.

2) Oranges

Oranges are the most common citrus fruits in many countries around the world, it is a juicy fruit that is often consumed whole. The orange skin can be eaten or peeled off depending on how you wish to consume it. It has a bright color and contains vitamin c which makes it great for fighting infections.

The oranges have thick fleshes and their peels contain flavonoids. It has a very strong fragrance, orange juice is often consumed as a breakfast drink in many countries around the world.

Oranges are rich in vitamin c; this makes them good for the immune system. Orange is one of the most commonly used citrus fruits by people around the world due to its taste and healing benefits.

3) Lemon

Lemons are the largest citrus fruits in the world. They have yellowish peels but they can be green when unripe, it has small seeds and a white flesh that is quite sour. There are many ways of consuming lemons such as by squeezing out the juice or using them to prepare different dishes.

They contain a large amount of vitamin c, lemons can be used to make lemonade. This citrus fruit is often consumed in salads or as a garnish on many dishes. The rind can be eaten and it contains citric compounds.

Lemons are frequently used as a hair conditioner, due to its cleansing benefits. Lemons contain many nutrients that make them healthy; this is one of the reasons they are a perfect alternative for other drinks like beer or soda pop.

4) Kumquats

Kumquats are a fruit that contains seeds, it is also known as the Japanese orange due to its appearance. Kumquats have dark greenish yellow peels and a purple/red tint color flesh. In some countries, kumquats are consumed in various ways; they can be eaten whole or used to prepare different dishes such as pickling.

Kumquats are used to prepare various drinks, juice can be made from kumquats much the same way it is with other citrus fruits. This fruit contains citric acid which makes it perfect for consumption when suffering from diabetes or high blood sugar levels.

5) Tangerines

Tangerine is a small citrus fruit that is similar to orange but grows in tropical climates. The tangerine has a small seed and flesh; the skin separates from the flesh easily making it easy to peel off. It is also known as an orangewood due to its appearance, tangerines are very fragrant, they can be consumed in many ways such as by eating the whole fruit or by juicing it.

Tangerines are rich in vitamin c and antioxidants making them a beneficial and healthy fruit to consume. Tangerines contain compounds that help cleanse the skin, this makes them a great alternative for different drinks such as soda pop and beer.

6) Lime

Limes are mainly consumed in drinks, they are small and green, their flesh is yellowish and contains seeds. It is commonly used to prepare fruit juice.

Lime can be eaten whole or juiced; it has a sour taste due to its acidic content. The juice of lemon can sometimes overpower the taste of foods so limes are often used to flavor them.

Lime contains vitamin c which makes it great for fighting infection and boosting the immune system; it is also good for the skin due to its cleansing effect.

7) Pummelo

Pummelo is a citrus fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical regions; it has many seeds, the skin is greenish yellow. The juice of pummelos can be consumed as a breakfast drink or mixed with other drinks such as lime to prepare cocktails.

Pomelos are mostly used as a flavoring agent, it can be added to meals or blended with other fruits. Pomelos are often consumed by people living in tropical areas as they contain vitamin c which is important for the immune system, a benefit that makes them healthy and beneficial to consume regularly.

8) Tangelo 

Tangelo is a fruit that looks like orange but contains more seeds; it has yellowish peels and pink flesh.

Tangelos are great for the immune system; they have vitamin c which is important in boosting immunity and fighting infections. It can be consumed in different ways such  as being eaten whole or by juicing.

It can be consumed in many ways mainly as an ingredient for preparing drinks and food.

9) Yuzu 

Yuzu is a fruit that looks like lemon but it has many seeds. It was introduced to Japan from China in the 14th century; its name means "orange of China." Its taste varies from sweet and sour to spicy; it can be prepared in two ways, by eating whole or by juicing.

This citrus fruit contains vitamin C, it is important in fighting infections and boosting the immune system.

Yuzu can be consumed as a part of different meals much like other citrus fruits. It can be blended to prepare juices or mixed with other drinks. Due to its sour taste, yuzu juice goes well when combined with honey; this makes it a great drink to consume for breakfast.

10 ) Bitter orange 

Bitter orange is a citrus fruit that looks like an orange but it has a loose skin with thin and tender flesh. It contains many seeds, the flesh of bitter orange can be consumed as whole or juiced; in some places it is used to produce marmalade. Bitter oranges are commonly found in Spain and Italy.

Bitter oranges have a bitter taste but the juice can be used as a refreshing drink much like other citrus fruits, also it can be mixed with other drinks to prepare cocktails.

Bitter orange contains vitamin C which helps in boosting the immune system; its consumption is also effective for detoxification and flushing toxins from the body.

11 ) Pomelo 

Pomelo is a citrus fruit that looks like grapefruit but its flesh is more loose and has a texture similar to that of a pineapple. It contains many seeds in the flesh, the skin can be greenish yellow depending on where it was harvested. The taste of pomelo is sweet and sour and can be consumed whole or juiced.

Pomelo is rich in vitamin C which helps boost the immune system and also contains antioxidants that help remove toxins from the body. Pomelos are great for weight loss due to their high fiber content; the juice can be consumed daily to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

12) Limetta 

Limetta is a citrus fruit that looks like lemon but has a yellowish peel; it also contains many seeds. The taste of metals can be slightly sour and sweet at the same time depending on where they were harvested from; their juice can be consumed as whole or by juicing.

Limetas are used to prepare different foods; they are great for health due to their vitamin c content.

The juice of limetta contains many nutrients; it can be used to prepare meals like latte or mixed with honey and lime as a refreshing drink.

13) Mandarin 

Mandarin is a citrus fruit that looks like an orange but contains more loose skin. The taste of mandarins can be sweet and sour; mandarins contain many seeds mixed with a thin layer of soft flesh. The juice of this fruit can be prepared in two ways, by juicing or eating whole. Mandarin is commonly found in Spain, Italy and the US, especially California.

Mandarins contain vitamin C which boosts the immune system and also helps flush toxins from the body. The antioxidant content in this fruit keeps the heart healthy; its consumption is essential for weight loss because it prevents overeating due to its ability to increase satiety.

Mandarins are great for breakfast or as a snack; they can be blended to prepare juices and mixed with honey. Mixing this fruit with spinach is also an effective way of enhancing its health benefits, due to the fact that they contain many antioxidants and fiber.

14) Murcott 

This citrus fruit looks like grapefruit but it has more loose flesh and a loose outer skin. Murcott is commonly found in California, it contains many seeds like other citrus fruits and can be consumed as whole or juiced, the juice of this fruit tastes sour with a bit of sweetness.

Due to its antioxidant content this fruit is great for anti-aging and also boosts the immune system, it is rich in vitamin C which helps flush toxins from the body.  Murcott contains many nutrients; combining it with chilli pepper can boost its effectiveness when used as a meal.

This citrus fruit helps lower cholesterol levels due to its ability to dissolve fat cells; it also boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation. Murcott is great for detoxification because it contains many antioxidants; the juice can be consumed daily to reduce blood pressure.

FAQs

- What are the benefits of lemon water?

It will help produce gastric juices which help digest food and also to flush out any harmful chemicals that may have accumulated in the stomach. It will help relieve constipation, boost your immune system as well as flushing toxins from the body. Lemons contain vitamin C which helps to detoxify the blood, reduce inflammation, boosts the immune system and also helps in absorption of iron from foods.

- What are the health benefits of mandarins?

Mandarins contain vitamin C which is good for your skin; it also boosts the immune system and improves heart health.

Mixing mandarins with honey is great for keeping hydrated, lowering cholesterol levels as well as improving overall health.

- What is the difference between limes and lemons?

Lemons are more sour than limes, lemons are larger than limes, lemons have more seeds than limes. Lemons can be used to loosen up dirt in the corners of the mouth while limes are used to clean teeth.

- What is the shelf life of lemons?

The shelf life of a lemon will vary depending on how it was stored, refrigeration helps prolong its life; a fresh lemon should be consumed within two weeks after its purchase date.

Conclusion

Citrus fruits are a delicious and healthy way to add flavor to your favorite dishes. But did you know that citrus fruit also has many health benefits? The antioxidants found in this variety of produce help increase the rate at which we detoxify harmful chemicals from our body, while boosting our immune system and helping us maintain a healthy weight. Citrus is great for breakfast or as an afternoon snack-- combine mandarins with spinach one day for a vitamin C-rich meal