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Citrus
Sinensis
The Sweet Orange is thought to have come from southern Asia,
although the name has roots from Sanskrit (nagaranga), and
Arabic (naranj), hence the name 'orange'. It was introduced
to Europe in the latter part of the 15th century, and thence
to America by Columbus, second time around in 1493. It was
growing abundantly in St. Augustine, Florida by 1579, and
must have been brought there when the settlement was founded
in 1565, or very shortly thereafter.
This oil comes from the skin of the instantly recognisable
fruits with the colour of the same name, although a finer
distillation is made from the flowers. It is the flower distillation
that is actually one of the main ingredients in Eau-de Cologne
and is properly called Neroli. Orange water made from steeping
the flowers is used in cookery (makes for really
crisp biscuits) and skin care.
Curacao, the liqueur, is manufactured
from what are called Orange Berries - the unripe tiny fruits
of the tree. The tree itself is small at around 25-40 feet
in height and now grows in warm countries around the world.
The green leaves are oval-long shaped, and the fragrant,
white flowers grow in small clusters on the new growth. |
