Citrus is believed to have originated in the Ancient Orient. The first known mention of citrus fruit is from European literature circa 300 BC. This was thought to be cultivated fruit. Presently, there is much research that goes on in developing Florida citrus varieties, not the least of which is great taste. Currently, there are approximately 360 varieties of oranges! The most popular are Navels (early season) and Valencias (late season). Navels alone have 52 varieties originating from the Mediterranean Basin in the 1600's and Brazil two centuries later.

The term grapefruit originated in Jamaica in 1814. The grapefruit's origin is in the West Indies since it was never known of in the Orient before then. It was brought to the Clearwater, Florida area from the Bahamas in 1823. Florida grows white and pink grapefruit. The favorite varieties are seedless white and ruby red (red blush) grapefruits.

Citrus in Florida is grown primarily in the Central and Southern regions where the mild tropical climate ripens the fruit to perfect sweetness. Average temperatures of 71-75 degrees Fahrenheit along with sunny weather and plentiful rainfall make these the preferred areas to grow citrus. If the temperature drops much below freezing, citrus crops and trees can be damaged. Florida citrus varieties have evolved over time by natural selection and man-made choices.

Valencias are Florida's premier orange because it has the highest all-around quality. Originating from the Azores Islands and Portugal it was brought to Florida in 1865. Temple oranges were introduced in 1916. The minneola or Honeybell Tangelo is a cultivated hybrid developed in 1931. Honey tangerines are a favorite of everyone who tries one. They are very aromatic and easy to peel. They have a strong, sweet flavor. The origin of this fruit is traced back to Clearwater, Florida in the early 1900's.

All great tasting citrus from Florida is grown from young cultivated trees. This began in the late 1800's when they stopped using seedlings because of their unpredictable tree size and fruit quality. Now the grower chooses the type of citrus to grow and plants a quality rootstock of this type. The rootstock is the most important consideration to the grower. It will become the root system of the tree, absorbing water and nutrients for the fruit. It is chosen from strong, mature, abundantly producing trees. It is planted and then budded with the chosen fruit to be grown.

Budding is the process of attaching a healthy, sweet citrus bud from a mature flavorful tree to a young rootstock. The process is much like the casting and healing a broken bone. The bud is cut from a select tree, then grafted and taped onto a young rootstock. It then grows together and when it is strong, the top of the old rootstock is cut off - leaving only the desired bud, which the tree will grow and produce from.