Today, citrus fruit is cultivated worldwide where the growing climate is conducive. Origins of this juicy fruit are most commonly traced back over 4,000 years ago to Southeast Asia, China, and India. However, recent research suggests that the first citrus plants were found in Australia, New Caledonia and New Guinea. It wasn’t until the late 1600s that we see evidence of cultivated citrus crops here in the United States.

Citrus, and all its wonderfully alluring varieties (see our seasonal Citrus Guide), are the world’s most widely planted fruits for human consumption. In this hemisphere, we reap the benefits of this abundant season primarily from November-March. The Valencia orange is an exception; this delightful variety is in season over the late summer and fall. And of course there are some late spring varieties, such as the crowd-pleaser Pixie Tangerine sometimes seen all the way into June.

We hope you’ll stop by our Produce department this winter and pick out something new to you!