Bitter oranges are acidic and bitter, used in tea, jam, and cosmetics. They are rarely sold in markets and prefer semi-tropical climates. Bergamot oranges are a subspecies used for their tasty peels. Bitter orange trees are hardy and used as rootstock.
Bitter oranges are members of the orange family grown for their intensely acidic, bitter fruit and fragrant skins. While bitter orange is rarely used as a standalone element in food, the fruit products are integrated into things as varied as tea and jam. Like many other citrus fruits, bitter oranges prefer semi-tropical climates and tend not to do well in cooler areas, although they are sometimes grown ornamentally in temperate zones. Bitter oranges are rarely available for sale in markets, although products such as bitter orange extract are sometimes sold.
Alternative names for bitter orange include sour orange and Seville orange, after a Spanish city in southern Spain. A variant of the bitter orange, the bergamot orange, is actually a subspecies of Citrus aurantium, the botanical classification of the bitter orange. In any case, bitter oranges are characterized by intensely bitter flesh that is generally considered unpalatable on its own. Citrus appears to have originated in Vietnam, where thorny evergreen trees have been grown for hundreds of years.
In Asian cuisine, bitter taste is valued as an addition to foods. Often, bitter oranges are marinated for use as a side dish. Outside of Asia, bitter oranges are grown for use as a botanical extract. Bitter orange oil is often used in cosmetics and is also sometimes included in health supplements. The peels and fruits can be candied for inclusion in sweets and desserts, and the bitter pulp is added to jam and other preserves for an injection of tart flavor. Bitter orange extract is also a crucial ingredient in triple sec and Curacao, two classic liqueurs.
The Bergamot orange is a variant grown in Italy for its tasty and sapid peels. Bergamot is a classic ingredient in Earl Gray tea and is used in other foods as well. The fruit of the bergamot orange has a characteristic pear shape which distinguishes it from bitter oranges. A true bitter orange has an oblate shape.
The bitter orange tree is notoriously very hardy and is sometimes used as a rootstock. When bitter oranges are used as a rootstock, they are pruned to a single trunk, allowing gardeners to graft another orange variety onto the trunk. Bitter orange rootstock can resist cold, low water and insect invasion more effectively than some more palatable orange species, making it a good choice for citrus fruit intended for novice gardeners.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
