Citrus fruits

Both the juice and the rind of citrus fruits can be used in sweet and savory sauces, added to cooked dishes and are important in preserves, baking and liqueurs.

Juice. Use a hand or electric press to better extract the juice. For a few drops, stick a fork horizontally into one citrus half and squeeze, while holding it on top of of the food. The fork will stop the pips from falling.

Rind. Use a potato peeler or a cannelle (for julienne) knife. Avoid the white inner white pith, it tastes bitter and will sour the milk. If you are going to use the citrus peel as a sweetener, rub a sugar lump over it before adding it to desserts.

Flesh. Used in salads and desserts. Remove all traces of the white bitter pith and white inner core, and, ideally all segment membranes and seeds.

Health benefits

Citrus fruits have long been valued as part of a nutritious and tasty diet. The flavors provided by citrus are among the most preferred in the world, and it is increasingly evident that citrus not only tastes good, but is also good for you.

It's well established that citrus and citrus products are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that are essential for normal growth and development and overall nutritional well-being. However, it is now beginning to be appreciated that these and other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds found in citrus and other plants (phytochemicals) can also help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.

Citrus is most commonly thought of as a good source of vitamin C. However, like most whole foods, citrus fruits also contain an impressive list of other essential nutrients, including both glycemic and non-glycemic carbohydrate, potassium, folate, calcium, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and a variety of phytochemicals. In addition, citrus contains no fat or sodium, and, being a plant food, no cholesterol.