Citrus almost certainly originated in China. The first documented reports of citrus in the western world were around 300 BC and there is evidence that it was grown in Italy before the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD. In the late 15th century citrus was found on the east african coast at the time of the discovery of the route around the Cape of Good Hope to India by the Portuguese explorer, Vasco d
a Gama and brought back to Portugal. It seems certain that the Arabs, who had penetrated this area of Africa several centuries earlier had brought it with them from the far east. The Arabs brought citrus with them to Spain during their long 700 year occupation from the 8th through until the late 15th century. This was principally the sour orange (citrus aurantium). Even to this day in the villages and towns of Andalusia the sour orange is grown as a street tree. At the present time, citrus is grown in more than one hundred countries on all six continents. It is the most important fruit crop in the world with its total production far exceeding that of the deciduous tree fruits (apples, pears, peaches, plums, etc.). Supported by Portugal and European Union. Apoiado por Portugal e União Europeia.
