Organic citrus fruits. Take them to heart!
How is it that they always come exactly when you need them the most? Nature does it best.
Lime, Lemon, Clementine, Orange, Grapefruit, Sweetie, Red Grapefruit, and Red Pomelo … all are citrus and now is their time of abundance with lots of good juice that is rich in nutrients which are specifically needed for the volatile season in which they arrive.
Citrus fruits are first mentioned in the book of Leviticus as part of the commandment to take the four species on Sukkot.
"וּלְקַחְתֶּם לָכֶם בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר כַּפֹּת תְּמָרִים וַעֲנַף עֵץ עָבֹת וְעַרְבֵי נָחַל וּשְׂמַחְתֶּם לִפְנֵי ה' אֱלֹהֵיכֶם שִׁבְעַת יָמִים " (23:40).ויקרא
The generic name of citrus fruit in Hebrew is hadar. There are those who think that the inclusion of “ha” in the name (“ha” preceding a word in Hebrew means "the") means “the Dar”, as it is meant, for example, in “ the vine” when reciting the blessing "the fruit of the vine." בורא פרי הגפן
In any case, the first citrus fruit that came here is probably the etrog, which came to us in the Persian period, about 500 years BC. Its name is derived from its name in Persian.
The next citruses that came were the oranges and Lemons, that were named after their brother the Etrog- sweet etrog and black etrog. More about Citrus journeies.
Indeed, all citrus have similar characteristics:
First of all they come in the most appropriate and useful package, which is another thing that nature does best J Nature makes the best packaging.
The citrus peel preserves their inside so that it will not lose liquids and nutritional values for a long time. The peels can shrink and dry and still the fruit inside will be rejuvenating, tasteful and very nutritious.
The citrus peel has many other uses:
It can be eaten (I sometimes like to chop a lemon peel with the salad or add some peel to the juice) and it contains pectin that helps in the treatment of metal poisoning. Candied organic citrus peel is a well known candy.
Because of the oil in the peel, you can easily use citrus peel to prepare an air freshener and to apply on the skin as a skin revitalizer.
When the peel is dry it is very suitable as a combustible material to start fires.
The peel can also be used to make an ecological household cleaning agent.
And now into the fruit and into our body:
Citrus is very healthy, strong and protective of our bodies (and yes, my children laugh at me when I tell them that this is the reason that I think citrus fruit is so delicious and appealing to us now).
Vitamin C of course – which participates in hundreds of processes in the body. It is necessary for us to create the materials of connective tissue in the body. It strengthens the immune system. It strengthens the walls of capillaries and dilates blood vessels, which studies have shown reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. It helps in iron absorption and helps prevent the formation of ulcers. It enhances neuroconductivity and helps reduce stress.
Folic acid – which maintains blood volume and helps absorb iron. During pregnancy even more is required.
Flavonoids are found in the white inner part of the peel. These help reduce infectious diseases, stroke and heart disease. They are also associated with reducing depression.
Citric acids helps the ph balance in the body.
And much more…
Remember, we need to consume vitamin C on a daily basis because our body cannot store it.
The first citrus orchard in Israel was planted in Jaffa in 1841 and later in Mikve Israel, Petach Tikva, Rishon LeZion, Rehovot, and Ness Ziona in 1881.
In 1929 a citrus fruit center was opened in Jaffa and exports of oranges and citrus began worldwide.
It's easy to eat the fresh fruit just like it is or squeeze it into a juice, but they also blend nicely in salads with green leaves, organic sprouts and avocados.
A recipe for a recommended Algerian salad of vegetables and citrus fruits.
Take a fruit and be healthy and calm and kind. Hope we always get what we need at the right time.
Lavrioot!
yours,
Maggie and the garden staff
In our organic vegetable baskets, we can expect(draft only):
Kale
Mizuna
Dill
Broccoli
Green peppers
pumpkin
Celery leaves
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
In the large organic vegetable baskets, also:
Jerusalem artichoke
Radishes
Swiss Chard
Rocket
Organic fruit baskets:
Oranges
Clementines
Pears
In the large fruit baskets, also:
Carambolas
annonas
Sweeties
