The Orange

Even though no one knows exactly where oranges come from, Southeast Asia is believed to be their first home. They are grown today in most of the warmer parts of the world. The ancient Greeks and Romans knew about oranges. It is possible that oranges were carried from India to Western Asia, and then to Europe.

The Spaniards took the sour oranges to the West Indies and from there to Florida, in America. Today, oranges are the most important fresh fruit in international trade. There are three different kinds of oranges: the sweet or common orange, the mandarin orange, and the sour or bitter orange.

One type of sweet orange is called the blood orange. It has a pulp with a deep red color. This type of orange is grown mostly in the Mediterranean region. Mandarin oranges are mainly found in Florida. Sour oranges are grown almost everywhere with Spain having the greatest number used for trade. These sour oranges are generally used to make marmalade.

However, they can be put to many other interesting uses, from making medicine to creating perfumes.

Oranges have many medicinal values. Oranges are the fruit with the greatest concentration of vitamin C. The skin of the orange helps to keep the fruit inside from becoming damaged and to remain clean. The thick, oily, and bitter skin does not allow any insects to get into an orange. Many kinds of useful oils can be extracted from the thick skin. Oranges are healthy and delicious.

What is the author saying about oranges in the first paragraph?