Citrus ripens on the tree and is not picked until ripe, regardless of color. Many oranges and lemons begin green and turn gold or orange, but citrus will often re-green (high daytime temperatures cause chlorophyll to return to the peel). A kiss of green is not a sign of immaturity or lack of flavor, and some even say re-greened citrus is sweeter. Heavy citrus means juicy, mature, flavorful fruit. Citrus season peaks December through May.

Valencia Oranges have seeds, are best for juicing and are always in season except for a short gap in December when Hamlin or Pineapple juice oranges fill in.

Navel Oranges are seedless eating oranges. Cara Cara is a pink-fleshed variety hinting of berries.



Blood Oranges look like a smaller, rosier Valencia. The flesh varies from red flecked orange to deep red. Tart sweet with notes of raspberry.

There are several kinds of Mandarin Oranges
Tangerines: very sweet with seeds. Varieties include: Dancy, Pixie, Sunburst, Fairchild and Honey. Size and seed count vary.
Satsumas: almost seedless, green kissed, zipper-skinned and sweet with a twang.
Clementines: usually seedless with a sweet and delicately balanced pucker.

Grapefruit grows in two varieties, pink and white. Florida and Texas peak from October to April and California peaks June through October. Pomelo is the large ancestor of grapefruit and Oro Blanco is a sweet, distinct variety of white grapefruit.

Meyer Lemons are much sweeter and less acidic than traditional lemon varieties. The edible bright yellow skin is softer and smoother than regular lemons.  

Tangelo is a cross between a tangerine and Pomelo. Minneola and Honeybell are seeded and sweet-punch-tart varieties.

Kumquats are from the Fortunella genus of piney shrubs; little citrus darlings that can be eaten in their entirety.