Australian (which includes a secondary
discount/bulk grade) and juice.
Smaller operators will also buy fruit
from Impi Citrus, which they on-sell
at farmers’ markets.
Contrary to popular belief, it
doesn’t take long for citrus to make it
into traditional stores. It can be picked
and packed within 24 hours. For the
export market, premium fruit will go
into a shipping container within seven
days of being picked. “We can get fruit
into Tokyo within about 16 days of
being picked and China about 23 to
24 days,” Cant says. “With Australian
supermarkets, it’s usually three or four
days of being picked.”
Controlled atmosphere storage
doesn’t work on citrus as it does apples,
because citrus begins ageing as soon as
it’s picked.
Picking a good one
Wherever you’re shopping, there are
a few things consumers should keep
top of mind. Firstly, big isn’t best,
as smaller fruit often has a more
concentrated f lavour. Larger oranges
and mandarins, for example, can be
watery or ‘mealy’, which is when they
appear dehydrated. When the f lesh
is dry it’s still fine to eat but has a
different texture and lacks f lavour.
As for blemishes, they are usually
the result of wind blowing fruit
against the tree. Those marks make
no difference to the f lavour. What we
should be looking for, says Cant, is
fruit that is not too large or too small.
We should also be avoiding fruit that
has wilted; instead picking pieces
that appear fresh, firm and have a
good colour.An orange a day
Since childhood, we’ve been told by
loved ones, healthcare professionals
and the media to eat citrus fruits
– and there are plenty of reasons why.
Citrus fruts, in particular, have high
levels of vitamin C, plenty of dietary
fibre and are rich in antioxidants.
Nutritionists the world over are also
drawing positive links between citrus
and the prevention of chronic diseases.
An orange, for example, has more than
170 phytochemicals and 60 f lavonoids,
and these have anti-inflammatory,
anti-tumour and blood-clot inhibiting
properties according to the 2003
report The Health Benefits of Citrus
Fruits by Dr Katrine Baghurst of
the Consumer Science Program,
CSIRO Health Sciences & Nutrition.
“As low-fat, low-energy, nutrient-
dense and low-glycaemic index
foods, citrus fruits are also of great
importance in Australia where obesity- and as a result type 2 diabetes – is
reaching epidemic proportions,” the
report states.
The overall health benefit of citrus is
one of the reasons Cant loves working
in the industry. For him, being a
citrus farmer is all about producing a
healthy food that nourishes people.
“I’m generating a product that people
can eat that’s a healthy choice for
them and their families and, in doing
so, employing people, creating jobs,
pushing the economy along, creating
exports and, all in all, creating a
wholesome product from sunshine,
water and fertiliser.”Varieties
Navel oranges
This is your eating or table orange.
They’re in season between May and
October. They can be juiced but the
juice turns bitter within 24 hours.
They are mainly grown in the Murray
Valley and Riverina regions of NSW,
and the Riverland of South Australia.Valencia oranges
These are from Valencia,
Spain, and are best for
juicing, with juice
keeping for three
to four days in a
fridge. Valencias
are available over
summer and mainly grown in the
Riverina, NSW.Blood oranges
Also great for juicing and works
nicely as a garnish. Season is July
and August.HOME GROWN
Having your own orange or lemon tree you can happily pluck fruit from is a homemaker’s
dream, but there are a few things gardeners need to be aware of.- If you don’t look after your citrus tree you could be unknowingly infecting a region
with a pest, such as fruit fly or gall wasp. - When there is a pest outbreak it can be difficult to control if home gardeners aren’t
aware of the problem and aren’t employing pest management practices. - You could also buy an infected tree from a nursery and subsequently transport
that infection into your neighbourhood. When you give excess fruit to family and
friends in other neighbourhoods you can again be transporting the maggots of a
quarantined pest.