ORGANIC CITRUS INFORMATION
From ruby grapefruit to Key limes, the number of citrus fruits is huge. Hundreds of varieties and subspecies grow throughout the tropics and subtropics. Add the endless number of hybrids for an unwieldy category, as well as the largest fruit industry. Organic citrus plants are small evergreen trees or shrubs, which originated in China and Southeast Asia. The primitive citron was the original citrus fruit. Today, these fruits grow throughout the world, wherever there's ample moisture and little or no frost. Brazil and the United States are the world's largest citrus producers. Most of that fruit is processed rather than eaten out of hand.

Health Benefits: Citrus fruits are remarkable in their wide range of healing properties. For example, mandarin oranges are specific for breast cancer whereas grapefruit pips are a potent treatment for candida. For specific medicinal properties see each individual citrus fruit. In general, citrus fruits are an effective cooling agent--be it by heat from a fever, from physical exercise, or from a menopausal hot flash. They are a general tonic for weak digestion and poor appetite. They contain 58 known anticancer agents. Most citrus fruits are high in sugar, although lemons and limes are high in acids. All species are rich sources of vitamin C; they contain potassium and citric acid; and their peel contains valuable aromatic oils. Citrus pith contains bioflavenoids, needed by the body to absorb vitamin C. Citrus seed extract is a natural antibiotic and antifungal. For people with food allergies, citrus ranks as one of the ten most common allergens.

Refrigerate citrus fruit or store in a cool pantry. Do not keep in plastic bags; plastic draws moisture from the fruit and quickens spoilage.

from Rebecca Wood's The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia

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