Facts About Seasonal Citrus Fruits

Facts About Seasonal Citrus Fruits

Committed to providing smart & healthy options, Foodtown grocery stores stock their aisles with seasonal ingredients as frequently as possible. The produce department of your local Foodtown offers citrus fruits throughout the year, but shoppers will find that oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines are at their juiciest during the winter season. While many citrus fruits are a common household snack, there are some very juicy facts about these seasonal winter fruits that we think might surprise you.

Surprising Facts About Oranges, Limes, and More

  1. How many citrus fruits can you think of? To the surprise of many, there are dozens of different citrus fruit varieties, many of which are hybrids.
  2. Citrus fruits gain their brightly colored skin when introduced to colder temperatures. Despite what many believe, spots of green do not indicate under-ripe fruit. It simply means they were exposed to tropical temperatures for a longer period of time. They’ll be just as flavorful!
  3. Oranges, high in Vitamin C, were rationed to soldiers during ocean voyages in an effort to prevent scurvy, which is caused by a lack of the essential vitamin.
  4. Here’s a tip: roll room temperature citrus fruit on the counter back and forth a couple times to increase the amount of juice you’ll get from it.
  5. Lemons and limes are known for their detoxifying properties—simply squeeze their juice into a glass of water, zest overtop roasted vegetables, or add a few drops of juice to a cup of tea.
  6. The skin and flesh of most citrus fruits are inedible, with a few exceptions. For example, kumquats may be eaten whole—skin and all!

citrus salad ingredients

Broiled Citrus Salad

Take advantage of seasonal citrus fruits by incorporating them into your daily eating habits. Here’s a tasty recipe to get you started! Sweet orange and grapefruit meet tangy feta cheese in this warmed citrus salad that is perfect for winter.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Oranges
  • 1 Grapefruit
  • ½ Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Mint Leaves, Chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • ½ Teaspoon Sea Salt
Directions:

  1. Peel the citrus fruits carefully, leaving a little bit of the white pith, and slice into rounds that are about ¼ inch thick. Lay the rounds on an oiled baking sheet in a single layer.
  2. Broil the citrus on high for 5 minutes or until the edges of the fruit are slightly browned.
  3. Remove from beneath the broiler and let cool for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to move each round onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with feta, mint, olive oil, and sea salt. Enjoy immediately or at room temperature.

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Shop Smart & Healthy Seasonal Produce at Foodtown

Reap the benefits of citrus this winter and enjoy fruits that are at their sweetest and juiciest. All it takes is a visit to your nearest Foodtown grocery store! Our produce department is stocked with brightly colored oranges, lemons, limes, and more, ready to be enjoyed. Seasonal shopping and eating… that’s smart & healthy!

Locate a Foodtown grocery store near you to stock up on seasonal citrus fruits at affordable prices. You may also take advantage of Foodtown On the Go for in-store pickup or home grocery delivery.