Where are the main citrus-producing areas in China?

Citrus is a fruit rich in many kinds of nutrients, and China is one of its places of origin. According to textual research, it was not until 1471 AD that citrus fruit trees such as mandarins, tangerines and oranges were introduced from China to Portugal, and not until 1665 AD that they were introduced to the United States. So where exactly are citrus production areas distributed?

1. Citrus production areas

Citrus in China is distributed between 16° and 37° north latitude, at altitudes up to 2600 m (Batang, Sichuan), from Sanya City in Hainan Province in the south, to Shaanxi, Gansu and Henan in the north, from Taiwan, China in the east, to the Yarlung Zangbo River valley in Tibet in the west. However, China's commercial citrus cultivation areas are mainly concentrated between 20° and 33° north latitude, at altitudes below 700-1000 m. Nationwide, 19 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) produce citrus, including Taiwan, China. Among them, the 10 provinces (municipalities and districts) that are major citrus producers are Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Hubei, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Chongqing and Taiwan, among others, followed by Shanghai, Guizhou, Yunnan, Jiangsu and other provinces (municipalities), while Shaanxi, Henan, Hainan, Anhui and Gansu and other provinces also grow it. There are 985 counties (cities and districts) growing citrus nationwide. The world's citrus is mainly distributed in areas south of 35° north latitude; it likes warmth and moisture, and in regions with large water bodies that raise temperatures it can advance northward to 45° north latitude.

There are 135 countries in the world producing citrus, with an annual output of 102.822 million tons and an area of 10.73 million mu, both ranking first among all fruits. Brazil ranks first in output with 24.2526 million tons, the United States ranks second with 16.3352 million tons, China ranks third with 10.78 million tons, followed by Mexico, Spain, Iran, India, Italy and other countries.

2. Nutritional value of citrus

(1) Oranges are rich in vitamin C and citric acid; the former has a beauty effect, while the latter has the effect of relieving fatigue.

(2) The thin inner peel of oranges contains dietary fiber and pectin, which can promote bowel movements and can lower cholesterol.

(3) Hesperidin can strengthen the toughness of capillaries, lower blood pressure and dilate the coronary arteries of the heart, so oranges are a food for preventing coronary heart disease and arteriosclerosis.

Citrus is delicious, but it should not be eaten in large amounts. In addition, citrus should not be eaten together with radish, milk, etc., as it can easily trigger some uncomfortable symptoms.