When is Citrus Fruit Season?

Citrus fruits are a great addition to your diet, whether you're looking for something nutritious or want to enjoy their delicious flavor. What's great about citrus is that they're available all year round, but they taste their best in the winter and spring months. In this blog post, we'll talk about citrus nutrition, seasonality, and some Pressed Juicery® juices you can indulge in to get your citrus fix!

Finding the Perfect Citrus at Your Local Store

When shopping for citrus fruit, it can be hard to tell which ones are fresh and which aren't.

There are two ways to tell if citrus is ripe enough: by the feel of their skin or by checking out what color they're turning. If it has a smooth, shiny exterior, it should be good; if there are any signs that it might be starting to go bad, such as brown spots on its exterior, it should be avoided.

The citrus color is also important. If your fruit is yellow or green, it probably needs time to ripen. If citrus fruits look more orange in color, then those would be perfect for eating right now because that means they've ripened fully.

Peak Season

The citrus season peaks during the spring and winter, meaning citrus trees produce the best-tasting fruit right around now! You can find citrus fruit in your local grocery store all year round, but they are known to taste better when you buy them from November to April, especially late winter.

If citrus is not in season, you might find some imported from other parts of the world. Although they are more convenient, imported fruits may not taste as good as those in season, and typically, they can be more expensive to buy. The freshest citrus comes from citrus trees grown closest to you because they do not have to be imported, accelerating the ripening process.

Citrus Fruit Nutrition

Citrus fruits are not only delicious, but also an incredible source of Vitamin C. One citrus fruit may provide you with about half of your recommended daily Vitamin C intake.

Vitamin C is important because it helps keep our immune system strong and fights infection. It's also helpful in repairing tissue damage and keeping our skin looking young and healthy.

In addition to Vitamin C, citrus fruits provide other vital nutrients like potassium, folate, and dietary fiber. Potassium is beneficial because it helps maintain normal blood pressure levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Dietary fiber is essential because it aids digestion and keeps us regular.

How to Eat More Fresh Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruits are great for baking because citrus adds a little bit of tangy sweetness to all sorts of baked goods. You can also add citrus to your favorite cocktails or smoothies, elevating them with citrus flavor. Try making citrus sorbet, citrus salad dressing, or citrus cake batter for some extra pizazz to your plate.

Which Should You Eat?

Citrus season is a great way to incorporate the most popular of its kind into your diet: sweet oranges, grapefruits, limes, and lemons. These citrus fruits have an outstanding balance of sweetness and tartness, making them perfect for eating independently or in recipes.

Oranges are among the most popular citrus fruits because they're sweet with a touch of sourness. But many other types of citrus are also delicious and are worth adding to your diet!

Grapefruit

Grapefruits are citrus fruits with pink and white skin that have a tart and acidic taste. Although they are not known for their sweet flavor, they can still be delicious when you sprinkle a little sugar on top or use it within a baked good. They're perfect for adding to your breakfast routine or snack time!

Buying and Storing

When buying citrus fruits, look for heavy ones for their size and have smooth skin - this will help you decipher the ripe fruits from the ones that still need to ripen. It's good to pick the piece of fruit with the most robust fragrance, which means it will taste better when eaten fresh or added to recipes.

If you buy more citrus than what can fit in your fridge, don't worry because these fruits will last up to two weeks at room temperature before they go bad.

When citrus fruit turns brown, it can mean that the citrus has been sitting out too long or touched something sticky like syrup on your fingers, which can cause the fruit to become discolored when exposed for extended periods (even if only briefly). This is why you should always wash citrus before eating it.

Health Factor: Drink Your Citrus With Pressed Juicery®

Cold-pressed juice is a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients! Citrus fruits include lots of vitamin C, boosting the immune system during flu season. They're also a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamin B-complex vitamins. And because citrus is typically low in calories and high in nutrients, their juice can be a healthy addition to your diet.

Check out a few of our wellness community's favorite citrus juices! Save a trip to the farmers market, reduce the mess, and bundle 6 of your favorite Pressed Juicery® juices for $30!

Citrus 1 | Cucumber Pineapple Juice

Cucumber | Pineapple | Coconut | Lemon | Aloe Vera