List of citrus fruits facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Citrus fruits are a type of fruit that grow on trees and shrubs. They are known for their juicy pulp, leathery rind, and often a sour or sweet taste. Many citrus fruits are packed with Vitamin C, which is great for your health!

Some of the most well-known citrus fruits include oranges, lemons, and limes. But there are many other interesting types of citrus fruits from all over the world.

Common Citrus Groups

Citrus fruits can be grouped in different ways. Here are some common categories:

Japanese citrus: These are citrus fruits that are mostly grown in Japan.
Limes: Small, green or yellow fruits that are usually sour.
- Australian lime: Limes that grow naturally in Australia.
Lumia: A type of citrus that is often a mix of other citrus fruits, like a citron.
Oranges: Sweet and juicy fruits, often round and orange.
Papedas: A group of citrus fruits that are often very hardy and can grow in different climates.
Sweet lemon: A type of lemon that is less sour than a regular lemon.

Amazing Citrus Species

There are many different kinds of citrus fruits, each with its own unique look and taste!

Bergamot Orange

A bergamot orange, looking a bit like a lime.

The Bergamot orange is a fragrant citrus fruit, about the size of an orange. It can be yellow or green, depending on how ripe it is. Scientists believe it's a mix of a lemon and a bitter orange. Its special scent is often used in perfumes and to flavor Earl Grey tea.

Citron

A citron fruit.

The Citron is one of the oldest citrus fruits. It has a very thick rind and not much juice. There are many different types of citron.

Special Citron Varieties

Balady citron: This citron is grown in Israel and is used in a special Jewish holiday tradition.
Buddha's hand:

The unique "fingers" of a Buddha's hand citron.

This citron looks very unusual, with parts that look like fingers! It's found in places like Northeast India and China. It's often used for its strong, pleasant smell.

Desert Lime

Small, round desert limes.

The Desert lime grows in the rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Early settlers in Australia used to eat this fruit. Today, it's used to make special jams and in fancy restaurant dishes.

Finger Lime

A finger lime, named for its shape.

The Finger lime is a unique Australian fruit that looks like a small finger. When you cut it open, it has tiny, juicy pearls inside that pop in your mouth! These "citrus caviar" pearls come in many different colors. It's become very popular in gourmet cooking.

Ginger Lime

Ginger limes.

Also called Adajamir, the Ginger lime is found in Assam and Bangladesh. People grow it for its very sour juice, which has a smell that reminds you of ginger or eucalyptus.

Hyuganatsu

A cut Hyuganatsu fruit.

The Hyuganatsu is a Japanese citrus fruit. Its name comes from an old Japanese province called Hyūga, and "natsu" means summer. It's sometimes called Konatsu or New Summer Orange when sold outside of Kyushu, Japan.

Kabosu

Kabosu fruit.

The Kabosu is a popular citrus fruit in Japan. Its sour juice is used to make many dishes taste better, especially cooked fish and sashimi.

Koji Orange

A Koji orange.

The Koji orange is a citrus species that comes from Japan. It's also known as the smooth-fruited orange.

Kumquat

Small, oval kumquats.

Kumquats are small, oval-shaped citrus fruits. What's special about them is that you can eat the rind (skin) along with the pulp! They have a sweet rind and a tart inside.

Lemon

Lemons, whole and cut.

The Lemon is a very common citrus fruit, known for its sour taste. It's a small evergreen tree that originally came from Asia, possibly Northeast India or China. Lemons are used in so many ways, from drinks to cooking!

Mandarin Orange

Mandarin oranges.

The Mandarin orange is a small, easy-to-peel citrus fruit. It's often sweeter than a regular orange and is very popular for snacking.

Myrtle-leaved Orange Tree

A Myrtle-leaved orange tree.

Also called Chinotto, this tree has small leaves that look like the common myrtle plant. It's a compact tree that grows up to 10 feet tall and is found in places like Malta and Italy. Its fruit is used to flavor many Italian drinks, including the popular Campari.

Pomelo

A large pomelo fruit.

The Pomelo is the largest citrus fruit! It's round or pear-shaped and has a very thick rind. It tastes a bit like a grapefruit but is usually sweeter and less bitter.

Round Lime

Round limes.

The Round lime, also known as the Dooja or Australian round lime, is a small tree or shrub that grows in Queensland, Australia. It produces an edible fruit.

Satsuma

Satsuma oranges on a branch.

The Satsuma is a type of mandarin orange that is easy to peel and usually doesn't have many seeds. It's also known as a cold-hardy mandarin because it can grow in cooler climates.

Sudachi

Sudachi fruit.

The Sudachi is another Japanese citrus fruit, often used for its sour juice, similar to a lime or lemon.

Tangerine

A tangerine.

The Tangerine is a type of mandarin orange. It's known for its bright orange color and easy-to-peel skin.

Different Kinds of Limes

Limes are small, green or yellow citrus fruits, usually very sour. They are used in many foods and drinks around the world.

Key lime:

Ripe Key limes.

A small, very tart lime, famous for making Key lime pie.
Persian lime:

Persian limes.

Also called Tahiti lime, this is the most common type of lime found in grocery stores. It's often dried to make a spice.

Mandarin Varieties

Mandarins are a group of small, sweet, and easy-to-peel citrus fruits.

Kanpei:

Kanpei fruit.

This special mandarin was created in Japan by mixing two other mandarin types. It was officially introduced in 2007.

Orange Varieties

Oranges are one of the most popular citrus fruits, known for their sweetness and juicy pulp.

Blood orange:

A blood orange, showing its deep red color.

This orange has a unique deep red, almost blood-colored, flesh. It's believed to be a mix between a sweet orange and a berry.
Bitter orange:

Bitter oranges.

Also called Seville orange, this orange is too sour to eat fresh but is often used to make marmalade.
Sweet orange:

Sweet oranges.

This is the most common type of orange we eat, known for its sweet taste.

Papeda Group

An Ichang papeda.

Papedas are a group of citrus fruits that are often not as tasty to eat fresh, but they are very tough and can grow in many different climates. They are native to Asia.

Kaffir lime:

Kaffir lime leaves and fruit.

This fruit is known for its bumpy skin and very fragrant leaves, which are used a lot in Thai and other Southeast Asian cooking.

Other Interesting Citrus Fruits

Many citrus fruits are actually hybrids, meaning they are a mix of two or more different citrus types!

Amanatsu:

Amanatsu fruit.

This Japanese citrus was found in 1740. It's yellowish-orange, about the size of a grapefruit, and is thought to be related to the pomelo.
Calamondin:

Calamondin fruits.

Also known as calamansi, this small citrus hybrid is very important in the Philippines. It's native to Southeast Asia and parts of East Asia.
Clementine:

Clementines, peeled and sectioned.

A clementine is a mix between a mandarin orange and a sweet orange. It has a deep orange, shiny skin and is easy to peel.
Grapefruit:

A pink grapefruit.

This large, often bitter, citrus fruit is a cross between a pomelo and a sweet orange.
Lumia:

Lumia fruit.

Lumias are a group of citrus hybrids, often thought to be a mix involving a citron because of their large size and thick peel.
Meyer lemon:

Meyer lemons.

This lemon is a mix between an orange and a lemon. It tastes less sour than a regular lemon and has more juice.
Oroblanco:

Oroblanco fruits.

Also called Sweetie, this is a sweet, seedless citrus fruit that is a mix of a grapefruit and a pomelo. It's less acidic and bitter than a grapefruit.
Ponkan:

Ponkan fruit on a tree.

This is a high-yield, sweet citrus fruit, about the size of an orange. It's a hybrid of a mandarin and a pomelo.
Tangelo:

A Minneola tangelo.

Also known as Honeybell, a tangelo is a hybrid of a mandarin and either a pomelo or a grapefruit.
Yuzu:

Yuzu fruit.

A very unique Japanese citrus, the yuzu is often used to make tea and essential oil because of its strong, pleasant aroma.