Sweet Oranges
...aphers have attempted to define the centers of origin and ancestors of citrus fruits. The lack of sufficient descriptions and specimens, in addition to the destruction of the original habitats, contribute to the puzzlement as well. The modern fruit species probably evolved in China, where there is greater diversity in Citrus varieties and parasites than anywhere in the world. However, the location of the origin of the sweet orange is controversial. China, India, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma) and Malaysia are all candidates. The word "orange" originates from Sanskrit. Oranges arrived from India and by the fall of the Roman Empire, thrived on the Italian Peninsula. Arab traders introduced further varieties of citrus fruits to Europe in the Middle Ages. The Portuguese introduced a variety of sweet oranges from India which quickly replaced a bitter form. On his second voyage in 1493, Christopher Columbus brought the seeds of oranges, lemons and citrons to Haiti and the Caribbean. In present day, oranges are primarily eaten fresh or prepared as frozen juice concentrate. The byproducts of juice making (the pulp, rind and seed) are utilized for cattle feed and molasses (for alcohol or feed) as well as flavorings, perfumes, pharmaceuticals and soap. Oranges are permitted to ripen on trees before harvesting. Originally, Citrus uses included beautificati...