Orange Cultivation in Asia
If you want to know the origins of oranges (that's funny to say aloud), you'll have to stop at Asia.?
China is believed to be the birthplace of oranges, with records of orange cultivation dating back to at least 2200 BCE. The first oranges were bitter and were used primarily for medicinal purposes. It wasn't until around 314 BCE that sweet oranges were first cultivated in China. By the 8th century CE, oranges had become a famous fruit nationwide.
Over the centuries, orange cultivation spread throughout Asia, introducing the fruit to many other countries. In the 7th century CE, oranges were introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks, who brought the fruit from China. By the 16th century, oranges had become popular in Japan, with various cultivars being grown throughout the country. Oranges were initially grown for their medicinal properties, as they were thought to have multiple health benefits. Over time, however, the fruit's popularity grew, and oranges became a staple food item in China, particularly during the winter when fresh produce was scarce.
By the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), oranges had become a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and the fruit was often given as a gift to essential officials or as a tribute to the emperor. During this period, orange cultivation began to spread beyond the Yangtze River Valley to other parts of China, and new varieties of the fruit were developed through selective breeding.
Oranges' popularity continued to grow during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), with the fruit becoming a symbol of good luck and fortune. Oranges were often used in traditional Chinese medicine and believed to be effective in treating a range of ailments, including coughs, colds, and digestive issues.
Over the centuries, orange cultivation spread to other parts of Asia, introducing the fruit to Japan, Korea, and neighboring countries. In Japan, oranges were first introduced by Buddhist monks who traveled from China, and the fruit quickly became popular. By the 16th century, oranges had become a significant crop in Japan, with a wide variety of cultivars being grown throughout the country.
In Korea, oranges were first introduced in the 15th century, and the fruit was initially grown only in the southern part of the country. Over time, however, orange cultivation spread to other regions, and today, Korea is a significant producer of oranges, particularly in the Jeju Island region.
Oranges were introduced by the British in India in the 19th century, and the fruit quickly became popular. Today, India is one of the largest producers of oranges in Asia, with the state of Nagpur being particularly well-known for its oranges. The fruit is also grown in other parts of the country, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Pakistan is another significant producer of oranges in Asia, with the fruit being grown in many parts of the country, including the Sargodha district in Punjab. Oranges are an essential crop for Pakistan, and the country produces a range of varieties, including the Kinnow, a hybrid of mandarin and orange.
In Iran, oranges have been grown since ancient times, and the country is known for its high-quality oranges, particularly those grown in the Mazandaran province. The fruit is also grown in other parts of the country, including the Kerman and Fars provinces.
And it's worth noting that Turkey is another major producer of oranges in Asia, with the fruit being grown in many parts of the country, including the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Oranges are an essential crop in Turkey, and the country produces a range of varieties, including the Maltese and the Washington Navel.
Additional Sources:
Neves, M. F., Trombin, V. G., Lopes, F., Kalaki, R., & Milán, P. (2011). The citrus sector in Brazil. Retrieved from consensus.app.
Ramón-Laca, L. (2003). The introduction of cultivated citrus to Europe via Northern Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. Economic Botany, 57(4), 502-514. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4256736
Wu, G., Terol, J., Ibanez, V., López-García, A., Pérez-Román, E., Borredá, C., Domingo, C., Tadeo, F., Carbonell-Caballero, J., Alonso, R., Curk, F., Du, D., Ollitrault, P., Roose, M. L., Dopazo, J., Gmitter, F. G., Rokhsar, D., & Talón, M. (2018). Genomics of the origin and evolution of Citrus. Nature, 554, 311–316. Retrieved from consensus.app.