Seville Orange Tree (Common Bitter Orange Tree)

Seville orange trees (Common Bitter Orange Tree) are medium-sized evergreen trees with glossy green leaves and fragrant white blossoms. The tree is attractive, large, and has very few or no thorns. The Seville orange  fruit is seedy, bitter, acidic, and medium sized. They have a bumpy, uneven rind that is bright green when unripe and turns a deep orange when mature. Seville orange trees are relatively easy to grow in warm climates with well-drained soil. They are more cold-tolerant than sweet oranges, but they can still be damaged by very heavy frost.

Unlike sweet oranges, Seville oranges are incredibly bitter and sour. The juice is not palatable on its own, but it has a strong, concentrated citrus flavour that is prized in cooking and marmalade. Their high pectin content helps the marmalade set and gives it a unique, slightly bitter flavour. The peel of Seville oranges is also used to make liqueurs, candied orange peel, and other citrus-infused products. The juice can be used in small amounts to add complexity to savoury dishes and sauces.

 Seville orange trees (Common Bitter Orange Tree) are named after the city of Seville, Spain, where they were first introduced in the 12th century. The were brought to Spain by Arab conquerors from northern Africa via Morocco.