Most citrus fruits ripen to their sweetest and juiciest during the North American winter. Though they grow in temperate regions, they do best during the comparatively milder weather of late fall through early spring.

Although citrus fruit can be kept for a few days at room temperature, the refrigerator is the ideal place to preserve it. The produce drawer is the recommended location, provided you have the available space; it should last for a few weeks.

Origins: The pomelo is a separate species while the grapefruit is a hybrid, resulting from crossing a sweet orange with a pomelo.

Peel: Pomelos have a thicker rind than grapefruit, and much more pith.

Shape: While grapefruit are round, pomelos are generally shaped more like a pear or teardrop.

Size: Grapefruit are big, but pomelos are even larger – in fact, pomelos are the largest of all citrus fruits.

Taste: While pomelo and grapefruit both have a flavor that ranges from sweet to bittersweet, the taste of a pomelo is noticeably sweeter and often has subtle flavor overtones.

Texture: Pomelo generally have less juice than grapefruit proportionally. Pomelo fans (of which there are many) find the denser, chewy consistency very satisfying.

Mandarin is a category of citrus that includes both tangerines and clementines. So, while every tangerine or clementine is technically a mandarin, not every mandarin is a clementine or tangerine.

Mandarin – Mandarins are generally smaller than oranges and taste sweeter. Their skin is thinner and a little looser, which makes the fruit easier to peel.

Tangerine – Tangerines have a bright orange color. Their flavor is less sweet and a bit more tart than most mandarins. Their skin is slightly tougher and harder to peel, which makes them a hardier fruit that’s less likely to bruise.

Clementine – Clementines are super sweet, seedless, and have smooth and shiny skin. They are one of the easiest mandarins to peel, only coming in behind Satsumas.

The top five citrus-growing countries are China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and the USA. In the USA, the states which grow citrus are California, Florida, Texas, and Arizona.

The citrus fruit with the most Vitamin C is the Navel orange. However, Grapefruit, lemon, and lime are also very high in Vitamin C.

Many organic fruits and vegetables, such as apples, produce their own natural wax.
However, some produce requires additional wax to decrease dehydration and slow down decay as it makes its way to market. Wax provides a protective coating to seal in moisture and keep produce looking fresher for longer. The most commonly waxed items are citrus and cucumbers. Lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges, and tangerines are the most frequently waxed citrus. Cucumbers are sometimes waxed to keep them firm and crisp, especially in the winter months. Tomatoes are also occasionally waxed in the winter months.

Waxes approved for use on organic produce must be food-grade and must contain materials approved by the OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) such as carnauba (extracted from palm leaves), wood rosin, and orange shellac.

They cannot contain petroleum-based ingredients, preservatives, or fungicides. It is not required for growers to disclose wax information or publish it on their produce boxes. Rest assured, we work closely with our growers to understand their pre- and post-harvest practices and obtain this relevant information as needed.

For many who celebrate this holiday, food and especially citrus play a vital role during Lunar New Year. Many citrus varieties are considered symbols of luck, abundance, and good fortune. They are frequently displayed as decoration and presented as gifts. The round shapes and golden hues of citrus symbolize fullness and wealth. Wholeness is another important concept during the Lunar New Year. Wholeness symbolizes a good beginning and end to the year, but also the completion in work and life. Citrus fruits are typically presented with the leaves and stems still on them, ensuring wholeness and balance.

Citrus varieties are also lucky for the sound they bring when spoken. The Chinese word for mandarin sounds similar to the word for “gold.” Mandarins around the home at Lunar New Year are thus said to bring riches into your life. The Chinese word for orange sounds similar to the Chinese word for “success.” The Chinese word for pomelo sounds like “to have” and “again.” Eating pomelos is thought to bring continuous prosperity. Traditionally the more pomelos you eat, the more wealth it will bring!