Orange County

The sweet orange does not occur in the wild. It is believed to have been first cultivated in southern China, northeastern India, or perhaps southeastern Asia. Italian traders have introduced it to the Mediterranean area around 1450 and then Portuguese navigators have been credited with bringing orange trees to the Mediterranean region around 1500.

After introduction of the sweet orange, it was quickly adopted as an edible fruit; it was so highly regarded that wealthy persons grew oranges in private conservatories, called orangeries.

Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch sailors planted citrus trees along trade routes to prevent scurvy. On his second voyage in 1493, Christopher Columbus took the seeds of oranges, lemons and citrons to Haiti and the Caribbean. Many orange groves were established by grafting the sweet orange onto sour orange rootstocks.

The orange blossom, is highly fragrant and the petals are an important component in the making of perfume, rosewater for food items. It is traditionally associated with good fortune and has long been popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings. Fallen blossoms are also dried and then used to make tea.

Orange blossom honey is produced by putting beehives in the citrus groves during bloom, which also pollinates seeded citrus varieties. Orange blossom honey is highly prized, and tastes much like orange.