Varietal Info

Riverina Citrus - Citrus in the Riverina

Valencia Orange

Valencias are considered the best juicing orange and are the sole ingredient in quality fresh juice.

Like Navels, Valencias are the same great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Valencias start to mature about September and can be harvested as last as May-June, although they are probably at their best in November when the skin is a light orange colour

Valencia Re-greening

Occasionally, when purchasing your Valencia’s in summer, you may find they have a green tinge. Most people are unaware that they are actually the ripest, most delicious oranges at this time.

As the weather warms, the natural chlorophyll is brought out in the skin, giving the Valencia a green “unripe” appearance.

However, this is not the case, as the inside of the fruit is ripe and juicy.

So don’t be discouraged from buying Valencia’s that appear to be green as then you can be sure that the fruit is fresh, Australian and delicious.

Common Orange

Common Oranges are virtually seedless and are used for the fresh juice market and as fresh fruit. The most common varieties of common orange grown in the Riverina are Hamlin and Salustiana, with limited plantings of Parson Brown and Pera varieties.

Hamlin oranges are used for the fresh juice market during winter and early spring and Salustiana are medium to large sized and used for the fresh juice market and as fresh fruit.

They mature between July and October and have become popular in recent years as an early season juicing option. Numerous trials have been held in the region with mechanical harvesting of common varieties.

Navel Orange

Navels are the earliest maturing of all orange varieties and can be recognised by the navel shape at the bottom of the fruit. They are seedless and the deep orange coloured skin is easily peeled. Navels are considered by most as the best eating orange. As a winter fruit (they start to mature early May through to October) – Navels provide timely Vitamin C to help ward off colds and flu.

The main varieties of Navels grown in South Eastern Australia are Washington, Leng, Late Lane and now the early maturing Navelina.

Washington: Considered by many as the best of the eating oranges, normally with a thicker skin than a Valencia

Leng: This fruit has a thinner skin with finer texture than Washington and is often smaller

Late Lane: It is of smaller size to a Washington Navel but matures later in September/October

Navelina: The newest member of the Navel family. It matures early May, has bright coloured rind, good size and high juice content

For a number of years researchers have been evaluating even later maturing Navels, known as Summer Navels, which mature as late as January. Trials of early maturing Navels are on-going.

All oranges are a great source of Vitamin C. Minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorus; natural sugars such as glucose, lactose and sucrose can be found in oranges. Oranges are also high in fibre.

Grapefruit

The majority of grapefruit grown in South East Australia are pale fleshed varieties such as Marsh, Thompson and to a lesser extent Oroblanco. Limited plantings of pigmented flesh varieties are mainly Ruby Red, Star Ruby and Rio Red.

Harvesting of Grapefruit commences in May and can extend well after Christmas. They are probably at their sweetest from November onwards.

This often maligned fruit is arguably Australia’s best health food as it is low in calories, low in fat, high in Vitamin C and fibre, as well as potassium, calcium and pectin. It has been found that Grapefruit pectin effectively lowers serum cholesterol. High serum cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease.

Lemons

Lemons are available nearly all year round but are most plentiful during Winter and Spring.

Like other citrus fruit, Lemons are high in natural vitamins, minerals and fibre. The tangy flavour of Lemons enhances most dishes. Being low in sodium, Lemons are an ideal substitute for salt.

Mandarins

Mandarins are a popular variety of citrus, especially with children due to their sweetness and easy peel skin.

Common varieties of Mandarin include:

Imperial: Imperials are a small to medium sized Mandarin.

They are smooth, thin skinned and easy to peel. Imperials are at their most flavoursome from June - July

Ellendale: Generally this fruit is bigger than an Imperial and has a more brightly coloured orange skin. Sometimes called a tangor, an Ellendale is actually a cross between a Sweet Orange and a Mandarin. Easy to peel and very flavoursome

Murcott: A deliciously sweet, late maturing fruit with a distinctively honey taste, it is similar in size to an Imperial, but not quite as easy to peel.

Other varieties of Mandarins are constantly being evaluated. Market interest has already been shown in some Satsuma varieties maturing as early as April.

Tangelo

The tangelo is a relatively new fruit to our markets. It is a cross between a Grapefruit and a Mandarin, and has inherited the taste and characteristics of both parents. The skin is smooth and is coloured a bright reddish orange. The shape is round, with the fruit having a pronounced and distinctive neck, making it immediately recognisable.

For further information on citrus varieties please visit http://www.citrusaustralia.com.au/aspdev/resources/varieties.asp

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