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Oranges, a member of the family of
Rutaceae and rich in vitamin C, are part of the Citrus genus, of
which there are more than one hundred and sixty varieties.
  Citrus
fruit originated in China and south-east Asia, where certain varieties
have been cultivated since pre-historic times. Their area of production
has slowly spread to India, Arabia and the Mediterranean countries.
The Romans used the citron for its perfume and its medicinal properties.
The bitter orange or “Seville”
orange, arrived in Europe with the Arabs in the 9th century. The
sweet orange only reached Europe, by Portugal, at the Renaissance
period.
Bitter orange
 Citrus
aurantium, the bitter orange, is too acid to be eaten raw,
but it is used to make liqueurs such as curaçao and the marmalades
so dear to the hearts of the British
Sweet orange
Citrus sinensis, or sweet orange,
of which there are a hundred or so varieties. The most well-known
in Europe are late Valencia, Jaffa
and Navel.
Blood oranges, like maltaise oranges, are bitter-sweet, with red
flesh.
Cherry Rocher obtains its sweet and
bitter oranges from Haiti and Spain for its Blue Curaçao,
Grande Dauphine, and the various Curaçao liqueurs.
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