Seeking out some fresh ways to brighten up the grocery store this fall? Look no further than these premium citrus varieties sure to stop shoppers in their tracks as they traverse October-time displays. Discover an entire rainbow of untold citrus stories revealed by some of The Snack’s most prominent category contributors…
CARA CARA ORANGE
Attributes: Rich pink pulp with orange exterior, seedless
Aroma: Pleasingly tropical
Flavor: Extremely sweet orange flavor with low acidity
NAVEL ORANGE
Attributes: Small navel formation on the blossom end; easy-to-peel; seedless
Aroma: Sweet, floral
Flavor: Refreshingly sweet and juicy
VALENCIA ORANGE
Attributes: Differentiated from other orange varieties by thin, slightly pebbly rind and occassional seeds
Aroma: Orange blossom
Flavor: Known for their perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors and high juice content
BLOOD ORANGE
Attributes: Deep maroon interior with very few seeds and orange/red blushed exterior; easy-to-peel
Aroma: Mildly floral; warm and fruity
Flavor: Subtly sweet, rich orange taste with a hint of fresh raspberry
CLEMENTINE, W. MURCOTT, & TANGO
Attributes: Unique rounded middle, flat top and bottom, medium-sized fruit with deep orange smooth, glossy skin; seedless; easy-to-peel
Aroma: Sweet, floral
Flavor: Sweet and juicy with less acidity
PAGE MANDARIN
Attributes: Prominent circle on blossom end
Aroma: Crisp, citrus
Flavor: Rich flavor
SATSUMA MANDARIN
Attributes: Varying in shape from flat to necked, peel and segment easily, seedless
Aroma: Sweet honeysuckle aroma
Flavor: Refreshing with warm, tropical hints
GOLD NUGGET MANDARIN
Attributes: Bright and slightly bumpy rind, seedless, sweet, and easy-to-peel
Aroma: Sweet citrus
Flavor: Exceptionally sweet
MEYER LEMON
Attributes: Cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange; bright yellow or rich orange-yellow color
Aroma: Refreshing herbal scent
Flavor: Subtly sweet and lower in acidity
EUREKA & LISBON LEMON
Attributes: Two different types are virtually indistinguishable from each other; bright yellow with medium to slightly pebbly skin; among the most popular citrus fruit used in cooking today
Aroma: Crisp, floral smell
Flavor: Distinct tangy flavor that complements both sweet and savory foods
PINK VARIEGATED LEMON
Attributes: These lemons are prized as much for their beauty as they are for their flavor; pink on the inside with a yellow and green-striped rind
Aroma: Bright, crisp
Flavor: Slightly less acidic than conventional lemons
GRAPEFRUIT
Attributes: Yellow skin with a pink blush, flesh varies from light pink to deep red
Aroma: Subtly sweet, sour cherry
Flavor: Perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, extremely juicy
TEXAS RIO RED
Attributes: An overall blush on the exterior peel with a deep red interior color up to 10 times redder than the Ruby Red
Aroma: Bright, floral
Flavor: Surprisingly sweet with a hint of zing
ORO BLANCO & MELO GOLD
Attributes: Oro: Slightly larger than grapefruit, thick green-yellow rind; Melo: Larger than Oro, thinner rind
Aroma: Both are sweet
Flavor: Oro: Juicy, sweet, bitter membranes; Melo: sweet, but less than pummelo
PUMMELO
Attributes: Largest of all citrus fruit; thick, dark green peel that fades to yellow as season progresses
Aroma: Zesty; slightly tropical with a hint of jasmine and lime
Flavor: Sweet with a candied almond aftertaste
MINNEOLA TANGELO
Attributes: Cross between a grapefruit and tangerine; a deep orange with a knob-like formation at the stem end; few, if any, seeds: peels easily
Aroma: Robust, tart orange
Flavor: Bold, tangy flavor and bursting with juice
KEY LIME (MEXICAN OR WEST INDIAN LIME)
Attributes: Generally round with straw yellow flesh and a thin, leathery skin, ranging from light green to yellow
Aroma: Highly crisp
Flavor: Fresh, tangy taste
PERSIAN LIME
Attributes: Typically sold while still dark green in color, gradually turn light green as they ripen; virtually seedless
Aroma: Spicy, floral
Flavor: Distinctive piney flavor
FINGER LIME
Attributes: Not related to a lemon or a lime; considered a micro-citrus with tiny fruit pearls in a wide range of colors
Aroma: Unique refreshing lime
Flavor: Similar to a lemon-lime-grapefruit combination
SOURCE: The Snack and AndNowUKnow Citrus Grower Contributors 
