If you listen closely to the sounds of the season—the leaves crunching, the wind blowing, the loud chorus of crickets as the sun sets—you may find just what it is that draws consumers to the citrus category as autumn rolls around. While it is a year-round staple for most, the fall months position citrus a bit differently than the sunny merchandising strategies adopted in the summer. Cool weather and seasonal cravings call for increased demand for varieties that can be incorporated across Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas festivities and all the gatherings in between.
Sharpen your expertise with this variety snapshot, and let nature do the rest…
BLOOD ORANGE
Attributes: Deep maroon interior with very few seeds and orange-red blushed exterior; easy to peel
Aroma: Mildly floral with an earthy, papaya-like fragrance
Flavor: Rich, plum-like flavor with hints of tart cherry and raspberry undertones
CARA CARA ORANGE
Attributes: Rich pink pulp with orange exterior; seedless
Aroma: Pleasingly tropical
Flavor: Extremely sweet with a kiss of cranberry and cherry undertones
NAVEL ORANGE
Attributes: Small navel formation on the blossom end; easy to peel and seedless
Aroma: Sweet, floral
Flavor: Refreshingly sweet with rich vanilla finish and cherry undertones
VALENCIA ORANGE
Attributes: Differentiated from other orange varieties by a thin, slightly pebbly rind and occasional seeds
Aroma: Orange blossom
Flavor: Perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors; high juice content
OJAI PIXIE TANGERINE
Attributes: Small with a pebbly, light orange skin; seedless, easy to peel, and grown only in the lush Ojai region of Southern California
Aroma: Sweet citrus aroma with floral undertones
Flavor: Candy-like sweetness
CLEMENTINE, W. MURCOTT AND TANGO
Attributes: Uniquely rounded middle, flat top and bottom, medium-sized fruit with deep orange, smooth, glossy skin; seedless and easy to peel
Aroma: Sweet, wildflower, pomegranate-like
Flavor: Crisp, apricot-like or candied nectar flavor with a rich aftertaste
SATSUMA MANDARIN
Attributes: Varying in shape from flat to necked; easy to peel and segment; seedless
Aroma: Sweet honeysuckle aroma
Flavor: Refreshing with warm, tropical hints
PAGE MANDARIN
Attributes: Prominent circle on blossom end
Aroma: Crisp citrus scent
Flavor: Rich flavor
GOLD NUGGET MANDARIN
Attributes: Bright and slightly bumpy rind; seedless, sweet, and easy to peel
Aroma: Candy citrus
Flavor: Rich and sweet, juicy flavor
EUREKA AND LAIBON LEMON
Attributes: Two different types that are virtually indistinguishable from each other; bright yellow with medium to slightly pebbly skin; popular citrus fruit used in cooking today
Aroma: Crisp, floral smell
Flavor: Distinct tangy flavor that complements both
sweet and savory foods
MEYER LEMON
Attributes: Cross between a regular lemon and a Mandarin orange; bright yellow or rich orange-yellow color
Aroma: Rich lemon blossom; floral, sweet lime, lemon, and Mandarin scents
Flavor: Zesty sweet citrus flavor
PINK VARIEGATED LEMON
Attributes: Pink on the inside with a yellow-and-green-striped rind
Aroma: Bright, crisp
Flavor: Slightly less acidic than conventional lemons
MINNEOLA TANGELO
Attributes: Cross between a grapefruit and tangerine; a deep orange with a knob-like formation at the stem end and few, if any, seeds; peels easily
Aroma: Robust, tart-orange aroma
Flavor: Bold, tangy flavor and bursting with juice
GRAPEFRUIT
Attributes: Yellow skin with a pink blush, flesh varies from light pink to deep red
Aroma: Subtly sweet, sour cherry
Flavor: Perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, occasionally super sweet; extremely juicy
TEXAS RIO RED GRAPEFRUIT
Attributes: Overall blush on the exterior peel with a deep red interior color
Aroma: Bright and floral
Flavor: Surprisingly sweet with a hint of zing
ORO BLANCO AND MELO
Attributes: Oro: Slightly larger than grapefruit with a thick green-yellow rind. Melo: Larger than Oro with a thinner rind
Aroma: Sweet
Flavor: Oro: Juicy and sweet with bitter membranes.Melo: Sweet, but less sweet than a Pummelo
PUMMELO
Attributes: Largest of all citrus fruit; thick, dark green peel that fades to yellow as season progresses
Aroma: Zesty; slightly tropical with a hint of jasmine and lime
Flavor: Sweet with a candied aftertaste
PERSIAN LIME
Attributes: Typically sold while still dark green in color, gradually turns light green as it ripens; virtually seedless
Aroma: Spicy, floral
Flavor: Distinctive lime flavor
KEY LIME(Mexican or Indian Lime)
Attributes: Generally round with straw yellow flesh and a thin, leathery skin; ranging from light green to yellow
Aroma: Highly crisp aromatic attributes
Flavor: Fresh, tangy taste
FINGER LIME
Attributes: Not related to a lemon or a lime; considered
a micro-citrus with tiny fruit pearls in a wide
range of colors
Aroma: Unique, refreshing lime
Flavor: Similar to a lemon-lime-grapefruit combination
