In our citrus fruit overview you will find exciting types of citrus fruits. We also introduce you to a few special citrus hybrids. For example, have you ever heard of a lemon with tentacles or caviar made from lime?
Exotic citrus fruits have become indispensable in our kitchens. They are full of vitamin C, taste fresh, sometimes sour and can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. Citrus plants (Citrus) are a genus of flowering plants in the rue family (Rutaceae). They come from the tropical and subtropical south-east of Asia and their fruits are often grouped under the collective term citrus fruits.
The best-known members of the citrus family are probably lemons (Citrus x limon), limes (Citrus× aurantiifolia), oranges (Citrus x sinensis), clementines ( Citrus x clementina) or tangerines (Citrus reticulata). In addition to these well-known species, citrus fruits have much more to offer. In fact, there are so many variations that it can be difficult to keep track of all the citrus fruits. For example, did you know that not all lime varieties are green and round? Or that the particular lemon variety has Buddha's fist tentacles? In fact, despite their spectacular appearance, many of these special citrus fruit species can even be grown here. Of course, most citrus fruits are only in good hands in the tub culture, as they prefer warm temperatures. If you repot the plants regularly, like the well-known lemon tree, and give them the other care they need, nothing stands in the way of growing the exotic citrus fruits.
Tip: Why are there so many different citrus fruits? Anyone who has ever de alt with the various citrus fruits and their numerous types quickly comes up with the question of why the genus der citrus fruits is so diverse. In fact, the citrus plants form a so-called "superspecies": While it is usually not possible to breed species freely among themselvescross, the different citrus fruits like to hybridize with each other. In the course of time, there were always accidental crossings in nature, but also deliberate crossings by humans. As a result, over time there has been an enormous diversity - however, the family relationships are not always entirely clear.
Cedro: The royal citron
The citron (Citrus medica) is also called Cedro in Italian and is one of the queens of citrus fruits. The reason for this is the intense aroma and the fresh scent of the lemons, which are rather rare in the supermarket. The peculiarity of this lemon fruit lies in its thick peel, which makes up a large part of the fruit, which can weigh up to four kilos. As the name suggests, lemon peel is made from it, which you probably know from Christmas cookies. Originally, this lemon species probably comes from Southeast Asia, but it was introduced to southern Europe around 70 AD. Cedro is now valued all over the world because, like ordinary lemon varieties, it can also be planted in tubs without any problems.
Buddha's Hand: Golden Speci alty from Asia
If you are looking for a special lemon, you cannot avoid the Buddha's hand lemon variety: The Buddha's hand lemon (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis ) belongs to the genus of citron (Citrus medica) and can be counted among the old citrus species. This particular lemon is believed to have originated in eastern and south-eastern Asia, but is now kept as a pot plant worldwide for its curious appearance and aromatic peel. Buddha's fist owes its name to its fruit bases, which consist of several arms that develop into the characteristic fingers. The unusual appearance of the plant is due to the fact that the carpels of the citrus plant do not grow together completely - each finger goes back to an ovule in the flower. These can grow in many different ways: sometimes their “fingers” are stretched out, sometimes they are more like a fist. No fruit looks identical. Fortunately, processing the fruit of the Buddha's hand, which can weigh up to four kilos, is not that difficult: Since the fruit mainly contains a lot of peel and little pulp or juice, the Buddha's hand is mainly used in recipes because of its aromatic and not at all bitter-tasting peel abrasion used.
Amalfi lemons: The great lemons from Italy
The Amalfi lemon (Citrus limon 'Sfusato Amalfitano') is considered to be one of the tastiest citrus fruit species in the world. In addition to its slightly shriveled fruit, which grows to about twice or three times the size of commercially available lemons, this type of lemon from the Amalfi coast is characterized above all by its aroma: fresh and intense, but relatively low in acidity. In their homeland, the Amalfi lemons are used primarily for the production of limoncello, a traditional lemon liqueur, because of their special taste. But the lemon trees are also an eye-catcher: when the Amalfi lemon is in season, many sections of the Amalfi coast are transformed into a veritable sea of lemon groves with golden-yellow fruits. The Amalfi lemon also cuts a fine figure as a potted plant.
Pomelo: The he althy tropical fruit
With their mild taste, pomelos (Citrus maxima) have already found many fans. In fact, pomelos are citrus fruits that can be classified as varieties of grapefruit (Citrus maxima). The fruits are a hybrid of the pomelo and the grapefruit (Citrus paradisi). Thanks to this crossing, the fruit is less bitter than grapefruit - when it comes to eating, pomelos are therefore much more popular with many people than the bitter grapefruit. At the same time, among the citrus plant species, pomelos are among the types of fruit with a lot of vitamin C and are therefore particularly good for the immune system. Nowadays, pomelos can be found in almost every well-stocked fruit counter. Did you also know that you can also grow the delicious citrus fruit at home? By the way, you can find instructions on how to peel and eat pomelos in this article.
Tangelo 'Minneola': The Orange Hybrid
Tangelo 'Minneola' (Citrus reticula x Citrus paradisi) is definitely one of the rare lemon fruits that only a few people have known so far. The striking orange citrus fruit is a cross between the grapefruit variety 'Ducan' and the tangerine 'Dancy'. Crossbreeding the citrus resulted in a relatively tall citrus plant that bears rich orange fruit. The 'Minneola' not only impresses with its appearance, but also with its taste: the juicy citrus fruit has an intense aroma,that is characterized by a good sweetness with a delicately tart acidity, which the Tangelos also develop when cultivated in a pot.
Persian Lime: The Easy Care
The citrus fruit with the long leaf, the Persian lime (Citrus latifolia), is also called the Tahitian lime. It is a lot less demanding than the lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) and is therefore one of the types of lime that can also be grown well in Germany. The lime tree is less demanding in terms of light and heat and therefore survives our cold, dark winter a lot more easily. In terms of taste, the Persian lime is in no way inferior to the real lime. The only difference: the fruits of this lime variety are not round but oval.
Kaffir Lime: The Wrinkled Variant
One or the other may have stumbled across kaffir lime leaves as an ingredient while reading recipes from the Far East. The kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), also known as kaffir lime, is low in juice but very aromatic. However, this lime variety is not really nice to look at. The skin of the fruit is wrinkled and dented. However, the kaffir lime makes up for its special appearance with its intense aroma. The fruits and especially the leaves are very popular in Asian cuisine, for example in Thai curries. If you like to cook with kaffir lime leaves, you can also cultivate the exotic citrus fruit in our pot.
Caviar lime: colorful fingers from Australia
Lime caviar is a luxurious speci alty and does not come from fish, but from the fruits of the caviar lime (Microcitrus australasica). Although this exotic fruit is closely related to the citrus family, it is actually not a type of lime at all, but a type of micorcitrus. Because of their origin, the rare citrus fruits are also called Australian finger limes. The oblong fruits of the finger lime contain small, round pearls that really look like caviar and have an intense lime aroma. Caviar limes have an unbelievable variety of varieties: the pulp and skin of the finger limes can be red, green, pink or yellow. Caviar limes need a sheltered, warm and full sun location andtolerate no or only light frost. Cultivation in tubs is possible, but ideally there should be a bright conservatory so that the plant can spend the autumn bright and warm before it is moved to hibernation.
Pursha Lime: The Roman
The Pursha Lime (Citrus × limon ‘Pursha’) is also called Roman Lime or Sweet Lime. In English it is called "Mediterranean sweet lemon". But don't let the name fool you: the juice of this type of lime is not really sweet. Since the Pursha lime plants stay rather small and form a nice, rounded crown, they seem made for growing in pots and can also be grown here. From spring onwards, the lime tree also bears wonderfully fragrant white flowers. The pursha lime is rich in juice and essential oils are extracted from its peel. This type of lime originally comes from Asia, but today it is mainly grown in southern Italy - from Sicily to Rome. Speaking of Italy: The Italian liqueur Limoncello is also often made from the peel of the aromatic Roman lime. Incidentally, in Germany the Pursha lime can be cultivated as a potted plant just like a classic lime tree.
Tip: In order for citrus plants to actually bear aromatic fruit, they need enough nutrients. Using a liquid fertilizer is particularly easy and effective for potted plants. Our Plantura organic citrus & Mediterranean fertilizer is suitable for all common citrus plants and contains all the necessary nutrients. Our organic liquid fertilizer is simply added to the irrigation water and also ensures strengthened roots and resilient plants.
Real Lime: The Cocktail Classic
When you think of limes, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the "classic" round, green lime. This is the so-called real lime (Citrus aurantifolia) or Mexican lime. This is often used for fruity and sour cocktail creations such as the Caipirinha. Originally at home in the subtropics, the lime can also be grown in pots here. However, the lime needs a lot of light and warmth, so cultivating these citrus fruits requires a certain amount of finesse and expert knowledge.
Tip: Limes are only evergreen in the tropics. This is due to the temperature:While it is almost the same temperature in the tropics all year round, with temperatures only fluctuating from night to day, our plants experience a periodic change from the cold to the warm season. But because the lime plant is so particularly light-hungry, its leaves turn yellow in winter as soon as it gets darker overall in winter.
Rangpur Lime: The Orange One
Where exactly the Rangpur lime (Citrus × limonia) comes from is unclear. It is very likely a cross between lemon (Citrus x limon) and tangerine (Citrus reticulata). This lime is definitely named after the Rangpur region in Bangladesh. The fruits of the Rangpur lime change color from green to yellow-orange, which is why it is also known as "orange lime". The lime even has orange flesh, which tastes sweet at first, but then tastes refreshingly bitter. Despite its unusual appearance, the Rangpur lime is by no means a diva - it can be planted like the lime in Germany.
Tip: Citrus plants do not tolerate frequent repotting very well and also make special demands on their soil and nutrient supply. We explain in detail how to repot lemons - you can do the same for all the other citrus plants mentioned here.
Limequat: The little one
Limequats (Citrus floridana)are a cross between the lime and the kumquat (Fortunella margarita). Kumquats are also called dwarf oranges because they are particularly small - but officially they do not belong to the orange species. Limequats inherited their small size from kumquats - the fruits are only two to four centimeters in diameter - and look like small miniature limes. As with the kumquat, the whole fruit can be eaten, both the skin and the seeds. The flesh has an intense, very sour taste and the peel has the penetrating taste of lime. Mainly because limequats are much more cold-resistant than their mother the lime, the cultivation of the lime tree is also possible with us.
Lumie: Sweet Lime
Among the various citrus fruits, the Lumie (Citruslumia) is one of the varieties that are still grown in this countryare not very well known. In fact, the sweet lime has a lot to offer: It has a mild, lime-like taste, with a lot of sweetness and only a little acidity. Due to their fresh, sweet taste, citrus fruits are often used in juice or as part of cocktails. However, the juice can lose its sweetness after just a few minutes in the air, so it is only suitable for direct consumption. If you want to experience the delicious taste of Lumie fresh, you can also cultivate the citrus fruit as a potted plant with us.
Amanatsu: The Japanese Rarity
One of the rare citrus fruits is definitely the Amanatsu (Citrus natsudaidai): The hybrid of grapefruit and tangerine is grown commercially only in southern Japan. It is loved for its versatile, intense aroma, which is bitter, sweet and sour at the same time. In addition, the rare citrus fruit is easy to peel, making it ideal for direct consumption. In our area, the plant is so far only known to enthusiasts. In fact, the Amanatsu is considered to be more robust than many common types of citrus fruit, so that it can also be cultivated here.
Jaffa Orange: The Seedless
Anyone looking for a special kind of orange (Citrus x sinensis) should check out the Jaffa orange - also known by the name Known shamouti orange - take a closer look. The orange variety is grown for its almost seedless fruit and sweet taste and is considered an excellent eating orange. In fact, the majority of the edible oranges sold in Germany are Jaffa oranges, as the seedless fruit is considered particularly tasty. The Jaffa orange comes from the district of Tel-Aviv in Jerusalem of the same name and is itself the namesake of the well-known sponge cake “Jaffa cake”. The freshly squeezed juice of the Jaffa orange is also an aromatic delight. However, Jaffa orange juice is not suitable for storage because it becomes bitter over time. If you want to enjoy the taste of the Jaffa orange fresh from the tree, you can cultivate the plant in a pot like an ordinary orange tree.
If we've whetted your appetite for exotic fruits, you'll find more information here about some fruits that you've probably never heard of.
If you want to support your immune system, you'll find it with us also 15 types of fruit with a particularly large amount of vitaminsC.