Citrus sinensis
Citrus sinensis “Valencia” (Valencia orange)
Mention “orange” and you instantly conjure up a host of associations—brilliant colors, a fresh, clean scent and a juicy explosion of tart, sweet, tangy flavors.
Oranges originating in Asia centuries ago, slowly made their way across continents and oceans to Europe and the Americas. The Vedas (composed between 1,400 and 800 B.C.E.) refer to citrons and lemons; in Chinese literature 27 varieties of the fruit are mentioned in a book of tributes to Emperor Ta Yu (2205-2197 B.C.E.) by Han Yen Chih in 1178 C.E; Theophrastus (ca. 372-287 B.C.) describes them in his accounts. More recently a Mr. Columbus brought seeds to the New World from his older one. See more »
