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A Seasonal Guide To Citrus Fruits

If your social media feed isn’t filled with people enjoying a shower tangerine or sprinkling brown sugar and soy sauce on grapefruit, then we are not on the same side of TikTok. To me, that means it’s citrus season, the zestiest time of the year where the only thing brightening up my day is a juicy pomelo, lime, and yuzu.

When is citrus season?

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Image by FLY:D from Unsplash/ Vecteezy/Aliona Gumeniuk from Unsplash/Elena Kloppenburg from Unsplash/Phoenix Han from Unsplash/Elianna Friedman from Unsplash/Karolina Kołodziejczak from Unsplash/Ruben Sukatendel from Unsplash/Vecteezy/Original Design by Cat Tervo

Citrus season runs from late fall to late winter. Although most varieties are available year-round, this time of year is when you will find the sweetest, juiciest citrus at its peak. It’s also the thing that’s gets me through the cold, wet days of January and February. 

Blood orange

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Photo by Elle Hughes from Unsplash

These absolute beauties are known for having rich, ruby-red interiors and a bright, berry-like flavor. These make a gorgeous and tart winter salad. Just mix with herbs and layer on top of ricotta.

Buddha’s hands

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Free Stock photos by Vecteezy

This citrus variety looks true to its name, but cut it open and you’ll see it’s mostly peel. It’s pretty as a centerpiece, though!

Calamansi

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Photo by Ruben Sukatendel from Unsplash

This citrus is super common in Filipino recipes with a tart intensity of a lime with the sweetness of an orange. It’s a great counter to any rich dishes, and you’ll find it squeezed onto noodle dishes like pancit, mami and lomi, and arroz caldo.

Clementine, mandarin, & tangerine

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Photo by Karolina Kołodziejczak from Unsplash

These small, flat, and easy-to-peel varieties of citrus take on a sweeter flavor and make a very lovely snack, inside or outside the shower. It may sound weird to eat in the shower, but think about it. The hot steam releases more sweet aromas, and the running water means your hands never get sticky. 

Grapefruit

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Photo by Rayia Soderberg from Unsplash

Grapefruit can be quite polarizing. People either love it or hate it. As a grapefruit-apologist, even I can admit its bitter flavor. I like to add a sprinkle of brown sugar and broil it in the oven. But you could also add a little bit of soy sauce (or something salty) really helps to diminish the bitter flavor.

Kumquat

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Photo by Elianna Friedman from Unsplash

These tiny little citrus fruits are best eaten whole — yes, with the peel. That orange outside is what is sweet. They make great marinades (just blend them up) or a super sweet marmalade. 

Lemon

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Photo by eggbank from Unsplash

You know these. You love these. Now, go make some winter lemonade.

Lime

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Photo by Shaun Meintjes from Unsplash

Zesty, bright, and delicious, throw the juice of these green beauties into sauces, marinades, and dressings. And of course, chase tequila with it.

Orange

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Photo by Aliona Gumeniuk from Unsplash

The navel orange is the variety you will most commonly see at grocery stores. They are in season from November through May, making them their juiciest right now. Along with being the best snack, try making orange-cello (an orange version of limoncello).

Pomelo

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Image by Phoenix Han from Unsplash

A pomelo, also known by its scientific name Citrus maxima, is the largest citrus. If you don’t like most citrus fruits because of their intense tart flavors, try a pomelo. It’s the sweetest and least sour variety of citrus. 

Sumo Citrus

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Photo by Sumo Citrus/Instagram

If you weren’t on Sumo TJ TikTok last year, you were missing out. Sumo Citrus is like a giant mandarin. It has the intense sweetness of the smaller version while being the size of a big orange. It’s also easy to peel and don’t make a mess.

Yuzu

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Photo by Vecteezy

Yuzu has a sharp and bright sour flavor. On the outside, it looks like a lime, but on the inside, it has the coloring of an orange. It’s a perfect addition to cocktails as it packs a punch.

Felicia is the executive editor of Spoon University where she oversees coverage of news, pop culture, trends, and celebrity through the lens of food. Her comfort meal is pad Thai, and she swears McDonald's coke is better than store-bought. Shoot her an email at felicialalomia@hercampus.com or follow her @falalomia.