Why are my oranges red? Have you seen those giant yellow grapefruits?! What’s the difference between a minneola and Sweet C naartjie? If you’re asking these questions, then keep reading!

How well do you know your citrus? It’s citrus season and with such a wide variety of juicy delicious citrus in South Africa, it’s time to get to know which ones you are buying and which ones you love most!

Find a range of oranges, soft citrus, naartjies and grapefruits in Food Lover’s Market stores this season.

When is citrus season in South Africa? From February until September you can find citrus in abundance in the stores.

Where are citrus fruits grown? Citrus types are produced in the various climatic regions throughout South Africa and productions are expanding rapidly throughout the country. The main production regions are located in the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, along the Orange River in the Northern Cape, the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, Eastern Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

How do you store citrus fruits? The thick skin means that the fruit is naturally more protected from bugs and bruises so it can be stored at room temperature. The fruit will yield the most juice when at room temperature as it ripens.

If you want to keep your citrus on hand for more than a week, you should store it in the refrigerator. Keep it in a produce bin, away from vegetables like onions and broccoli, which will make it go bad more quickly. Stored in the fridge, your citrus should keep for up to several weeks