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Juicy fruit
Packed with vitamin C, citrus fruits bring juice and more to the table
Add a bowl of citrus to your table in the winter and the smell and colour of the zesty fruit might just transport you (mentally) to a place of warmth and sunshine. Eat it and your body will benefit from all of the vitamins and fibre the fruit contains.
We are fortunate to have vitamin-rich citrus fruits close at hand, especially in the winter, and many are available year-round. Including oranges, grapefruits, clementines, lemons, limes and pummelos, there are more than 100 varieties of citrus.
“Citrus is a great addition to just about any recipe,” says Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing at Sunkist, a long-time supplier for Costco. “Citrus can be used fresh, baked, grilled, roasted, sautéed or juiced. A trend we’re seeing is that citrus is being used to add flavour to coffee. Another unique way to use citrus is to use the whole fruit. From candied peels to juice to zest to segments, the ways to enjoy citrus are endless.”
Candied peels, which can be made from a variety of citrus, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and, especially, easy-to-peel clementines, can be eaten out of hand, used in baking or added as a garnish for drinks.
Citrus fruits are a great source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, folate and calcium. They are also rich in avonoids. Known for their beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, flavonoids are part of the refreshing spray that tickles your nose when you pull away the fruit’s peel.
Citrus can even work as an alternative for salt, says LeAnne Pratt, strategic account manager at Sunkist: “Just use a squeeze of lemon, and you’ll never miss the salt.”
Costco Connection: You’ll find oranges, clementines, lemons and limes in Costco warehouses. Groceries are available for delivery through Costco Grocery.
