Basically, people know these types of citrus fruits: lemon, tangerine, orange. But often there are also citrus hybrids, which are distinguished by an unusual appearance and taste.
Notable citrus hybrids
What is species modification
Despite the widespread fear of GMOs and hybrids in humans, they are not dangerous at all. The species obtained by crossing are resistant to weather conditions or have an unusual appearance or shape of the fruit. With such selection, substances dangerous to humans are not used.
The seedless fruit is already an artificially obtained citrus.
Types of crossed citrus fruits
There are about 60 varieties of citrus fruits. The main ones are obtained by crossing pomelo, lemon and lime with regular citrus fruits. The list of species is extensive and is still growing.
Tangelo
The variety crosses Tangerine and grapefruit. It was given the name "honey bell" for its mild sweet taste and handle on the fruit. Fruit with well-separating and juicy slices.
Sweety
A hybrid of grapefruit and pomelo is called Sweetie. The pomelo gave him large fruit sizes, he is relieved of bitterness and is well cleaned.
Clementine
A hybrid of orange and tangerine is called Clementine.
The variety got its name from the name of the breeder who bred it. Outward differences:
- red-orange skin color
- medium to small fruit size;
- they are juicy and soft;
- sweet taste with sourness;
This tangerine has a bright red rind and pulp and a sweet taste with sourness. The fruit usually ripens from December to March. The degree of brightness depends on the conditions in which the fruit was grown: on temperature, humidity, care.
Minneola
The fruits have an elongated neck at the top
Minnenola is considered a mandarin hybrid. This fruit is a mixture of the Tangerine variety and the grapefruit. The fruits are as follows:
- Elongated with a characteristic neck at the top.
- The color is red-orange.
- They can be both small and large.
- There are few seeds inside.
- The pulp has a tart taste and powerful aroma.
Minneola ripens in December-February.
Limandarin
Limandarin is a hybrid lemon (a mixture of lemon and tangerine or tangerine and lime). Foreign name - Rangpur. It has an orange peel and a sour taste.
Lemonagi
A hybrid of orange and lemon is called lemonagi. Outwardly, it looks like an orange lemon because it has an elongated shape. The taste is also like that of lemons, but outwardly it looks like a pale orange. On the basis of the fruits, various juice drinks are created, where the fruit juice is mixed with other citrus fruits.
Tangor
One hybrid of tangerine and orange is called Tangor. Sweet varieties were chosen for breeding. Usually ripens in winter. Description of fruits:
- slightly flattened;
- juicy and sweet pulp;
- the peel is bumpy and thick;
- there are many pores on the skin.
It also peels off easily.
Truth and deception about crossing
Often, artificially bred citrus fruits are passed off as very unusual fruits. Vendors offer a mixture of orange and pomegranate, although this is basically impossible. For a non-existent fruit, they give out the usual red variety of citrus fruit with a rich shade or red grapefruit.
By doing this, they only attract attention in order to sell the product. And it is possible to cross only varieties of one type: citrus fruits with citrus fruits. Often this is done on the basis of kumquat (also a kind of citrus), and get limonquat, limequat, oranjevat. Kumquat fruits are also consumed in their pure form.
Growing new fruitful plants from fruit seeds is impossible. They are bred only by professionals, so the plant will not bear fruit at home.
A hybrid of lemon and pomelo is grown in South Kazakhstan region
A hybrid of orange and pomegranate. What is this fruit?
Conclusion
Crossing citrus fruits (lime, grapefruit, pomelo) with the usual representatives gives unusual results. Fruits based on kumquat with the names limonquat, oranjequat, as well as varieties Tangerine, Clementine, Minneola appear on the counter.
The combination of varieties gives an interesting taste and attractive shape. Only now it is impossible to grow new plants from fruit seeds. Hybrid citrus fruit varieties are popular in the market.