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17 Quick Citrus Facts:
• Oranges did not appear in the Western Hemisphere before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.
• The scent and taste of an orange can differ by the country, state, county,  season, and of course type.
• Oranges taste differently based on their position on the tree.
• Oranges picked high on the tree are usually much sweeter than those picked closer to the ground.
• Oranges grown on the south side of an orange tree are much sweeter than those grown in any other location. The north side of the tree always produces the least sweet fruit.
• The color of an orange has nothing to with the flavor of the fruit.
• Temperature is the deciding factor of a great orange. Cool but not to cold produces the best fruit.
• Temple Oranges and Murcott Tangerines have so much sugar in them that they will sink if dropped in water. All other oranges will float.
• Unlike apples, pears and bananas, oranges will not ripen any further after being picked from the tree.
• Oranges are called seedless when they have five seeds or less.
• The orange blossom and the orange have forever been symbols of love.
• In the 19th century orange blossoms were constantly sent to Paris because French brides would not be married without holding one or wearing one.
• Citrus fruit should be stored between 35 and 50 degrees.
• Grapefruit should be stored between 45 and 48 degrees.
• If refrigeration is a problem all citrus can be stored in any cool, dry place.
• Never store citrus fruit in plastic bags or film wrapped trays. When citrus fruit is stored airtight, moisture will form between the peel and the plastic, which will lead to mold growth.
• Oranges will stay fresh for about 3 weeks to 1 month. If an orange goes from a grove to a warehouse and stays there for a few days to weeks before making it to the shelf, it will steadily degrade in quality.
- source: www.citrusnow.com
California Agriculture Facts from USDA:
• For more than 50 consecutive years, California has been the number one food and agricultural producer in the United States.
• California’s cash farm receipts and income for 1997 totaled a record $26.8 billion, up 6% from 1996.
• Agriculture continues to be a vital part of California’s future, playing a unique role in our economic strength, providing for nearly 1 in 10 jobs and more than $100 billion in production and related economic activity.
• For the first time in California history, 10 California counties reached at least $1 billion in annual production value.
• California produces 350 different crops and commodities. Products exclusively (99% or more) grown in California, include: almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwifruit, olives, persimmons, pistachios, prunes, raisins, clovers, and walnuts.
• During 1997, California produced nearly 39 million tons of fruits, nuts and vegetables, accounting for more than half of U.S. production.
• California’s food and agricultural exports for 1997, totaled $6.7 billion, indicating that California exports about 20% of what it grows.
* Six of California’s top 10 agricultural export markets are Pacific Rim countries, accounting for nearly one-third of the total market share ($2.3 billion).
Farm Size Stats:
Year: 1998-1999
Region: West
State: California
Number of farms: 89,000
Acreage in farms: 2,848,000
Average Farm size: 320 acres
1998 Orange sales: $611,000,000
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