Citrus A world history

Celebrated botanist Mabberley (Mabberley's Plant-Book, 2017) delves into the history of fruits too often taken for granted in the modern world. The first historically recorded citrus fruit is the citron, the use of which in ancient religious rituals evolved into its appearance as candied rind in hot cross buns and fruitcake. Citrus fruits found in markets today are products of centuries of hybridization that tend to produce sweeter fruits. Many citrus fruits became popular for their concentration of vitamin C. First used to cure scurvy in sailors, limes became synonymous with British seafarers--"limeys." That glass of orange juice now ubiquitous at breakfast didn't become so till after the Spanish flu epidemic of the early twentieth century. Raising citrus crops has become a big revenue generator in Israel, California, and Florida. But intensive cultivation of citrus trees can lead to economic volatility due to the the vagaries of weather and infestations that can savage crops. Mabberley's scientific text is almost overshadowed by a wealth of color illustrations and photographs that also make this volume a sumptuous trove of art.

Botanist Mabberley (emeritus, Univ. of Oxford; The Peter Crossing Collection) has a treat for readers who've ever wondered about the origins of the oranges they've eaten, the limes they used for drinks, or the lemons they squeezed on their fish. In five chapters, readers get a sweeping history of citrus. The book's coverage spans from the ancient world through the Middle Ages, when citrus was used in herbal medicines, into an explanation about the importance of vitamin C, and data that indicates the rise in popularity of all citrus fruits in contemporary times. Readers also learn about different types of citrus and even criminal activity regulating the citrus industry and trade. VERDICT This highly recommended resource provides an eye-opening account of a major part of many readers' daily diets. Foodies and food historians will appreciate Mabberley's expert explanation of how citrus became so widely loved around the world. The sumptuous artwork is a feast for the eyes as well.--Jacqueline Parascandola