California Citrus
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Growing up with oranges
In the winter, the smudge pots put out their own particular fragrance. It was cold but the fruit would survive. In the spring, the fragrance from the orange blossoms, filled the air. In Southern California is the early 1950's, orange groves were everywhere. Our job, as kids, was to clean the errant smudge oil off the windows outside. Living directly across the street from the orange grove brought us both smells. Even now, both the smell of smudge oil and orange blossoms makes me homesick.
Orange crates were everywhere and used in homes as bookcases. We didn't care about the labels because no one realized that one day, they would be worth money.
It didn't matter if you were in Los Angeles County, Riverside County or Orange County, orange groves filled the area. Orange groves lined Hwy 99 on a trip to Huntington Beach. No one paid too much attention, they were just a fact of life.
Today, very few groves remain. Land and water prices have driven most of the groves out of business. Where there were once groves, only the palms that lined the roads remain. Houses now stand where the trees stood. Still, there are still bits of history that live on. It was great growing up with oranges.
Orange crates were everywhere and used in homes as bookcases. We didn't care about the labels because no one realized that one day, they would be worth money.
It didn't matter if you were in Los Angeles County, Riverside County or Orange County, orange groves filled the area. Orange groves lined Hwy 99 on a trip to Huntington Beach. No one paid too much attention, they were just a fact of life.
Today, very few groves remain. Land and water prices have driven most of the groves out of business. Where there were once groves, only the palms that lined the roads remain. Houses now stand where the trees stood. Still, there are still bits of history that live on. It was great growing up with oranges.
California Citrus State Historic Park
Riverside, CA
- California Citrus State Historic Park
- This article is about the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside, CA. This California State Park is mandated by the state to be a working orange grove. Someday, it will be the last working orange grove in Southern California.
- The website to my favorite park
- Although we no longer volunteer there, it is a great place to do homeschooling lesson and run around the large grass area and climb the hills.
Sunkist fruit slices
Doesn't reading about oranges make you want the Sunkist fruit slices? It does for me but maybe it's because I grew up from a Sunkist grove and every time i think of oranges I start craving the candy. Makes a great gift too.
1lb Sunkist Fruit Gems Box
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 05/30/2012)
Smudge Pots
To appreciate a smudge pot, you must like the smell of low-grade diesel oil (smudge oil). The bottom of the device was filled with the oil and then lit on fire. The heat produced from the smudge pot, radiated out, keeping the fruit on the orange trees from freezing. They were outlawed as dangerous to the environment but one never forgets the warmth they provided or the smell.Some smudge pots used kerosene and other fuels but the most prevalent were the smudge oil burners.
The last original orange tree remaining in Riverside, CA
The tree was planted in 1873
In 1873, the Department of Agriculture sent three navel orange trees to Eliza Tibbets to see if they would grow in the area. The trees thrived and started what is know as the 2nd gold rush, making Riverside, CA, the orange growing capital of the country. One tree died early and the two remaining trees did well. When the Mission Inn was being restored, one tree was transplanted there but did not live. The remaining tree is still being cared for on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Arlington Avenue in Riverside, CA. To keep it healthy, root stock is grafted to the tree when the old stock can no longer support it.
California Oranges are the Best
but to be fair, there are others
There has always been the debate over the best oranges. Florida oranges have more juice because the water table is higher. California oranges have more pulp. Which is better? California oranges of course! However, to be fair, here are some other viewpoints and more citrus facts.
Unofficial Survey
Oranges in Christmas Stockings
In 1900, the California Orange Grower's Association (later changed to Sunkist) decided that the overabundance or Navel oranges that ripened in December had to be more effectively marketed. They created an ad campaign to build on the tradition that orange were to fill out the toe of the stocking. The ad was "to put a little sunshine in your stocking". We always got an orange and I thought it was a Texas tradition, moved to California with the family. Later I found that people from all over the country received oranges as well. Did you?
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Orange gift basket
"Say the magic word, say Mission Pack, and it's on it's merry way. No gift so right, so gay, so bright, it's the Mission Pack magic way." Ok, Mission Pack is no longer in business but the fruit baskets they shipped every year were appreciated by those who received them.
California Delicious All The Best Gift Basket
Amazon Price: $99.95 (as of 05/30/2012)
Buddah's Hand
The original orange
One of the original sources of the spice "citron". The "fingered citron", also known as "Buddah's Hand", has no juice and originates from China. It is thought that the citrus fruits we have today, started with this fruit and all the others are genetic mutations. One of the customs associated with this fruit is that one gives away the fingers at New Year to provide the receiver with good luck. Crate Labels
An art form created by the various fruit co-ops to distinguish their fruit from the other growers.
The originals are collectible and are great decorations for any home. There are many reproductions on the market. Crate labels were phased out with the invention of cardboard shipping boxes.
The Daisy label is my favorite as it was the grower of the oranges across the street.
The Daisy label is my favorite as it was the grower of the oranges across the street.
Crate labels on eBay
Reader Feedback
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RCGraphicsDesign
Feb 17, 2012 @ 10:24 am | delete
- I grew up in South Florida and as a young adult my property was surrounded by orange groves on three sides. Your lens really brought back memories of my younger days. Great presentation.
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Comfortdoc
Jan 7, 2012 @ 11:59 pm | delete
- My Dad remembers riding through orange groves on his horse as a kid.
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jadehorseshoe
Dec 29, 2011 @ 7:13 pm | delete
- Terrific Lens!
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JoshK47
Dec 9, 2011 @ 9:28 am | delete
- What a wonderful lens - I love a bit of citrus to brighten up my day. Thanks for sharing. :)
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_Joan_
Dec 7, 2011 @ 7:42 pm | delete
- What a sweet memoir!
I grew up in the inner city and close suburbs in LA (in the '60s). I never saw orange groves in my area, but occasionally on car rides I've seen some in parts of Orange County.
One house that we used to live in had a tangerine tree! We had lovely free fruit all winter when we lived there.
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Wednesday_Elf
Dec 7, 2011 @ 9:37 am | delete
- Interesting story about California Citrus. I've read many books that take place in your area and they often describe how the whole area used to be covered with orange groves. Friends in San Luis Obispo (CA) had an orange tree growing in the middle of the deck in their yard and we used to pick the oranges right off the tree! Wonderful memories.
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Wyrdcrow
Dec 6, 2011 @ 3:07 pm | delete
- Really enjoyed this lens. I'd never heard of the Buddha's Hand before - what an extraordinary looking thing!
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Mickie_G
Dec 6, 2011 @ 2:15 pm | delete
- I remember when I took my young daughters to Disneyworld over 25 years ago and there were orange groves surrounding the Magic Kingdom. Now there are not as many to be seen. Miss them.
As usual, a very well crafted article from you!
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AngryBaker
Dec 6, 2011 @ 1:05 pm | delete
- My dad had a wholesale citrus nursery in La Verne, CA... I grew up surrounded by over 30 varieties of citrus. You brought back tons of memories... thanks
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Tipi
Nov 14, 2011 @ 10:59 am | delete
- I do love California citrus, lol...and I used to get an orange in my Christmas stocking when I was a child. Very enjoyable lens.
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LotusLandry
Sep 28, 2011 @ 12:26 pm | delete
- My college had a night club called the Smudge Pot.
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WordCustard
Aug 17, 2011 @ 2:41 am | delete
- Mmmm, I could almost smell the orange groves as I visited this page. I've never seen a Buddha's Hand fruit before, most interesting.
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bejeezers Apr 20, 2011 @ 1:53 pm | delete
- I really enjoyed your lense. Great fun.
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Mujjen
Apr 9, 2011 @ 1:09 pm | delete
- How interesting with Buddha's hand! I used to have a lemon tree in my garden, it was fantastic!
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scarlettohairy Apr 5, 2011 @ 8:54 pm | delete
- What a fun lens on oranges. I live in Arizona now and you described the smell of the orange blossoms perfectly. It is sumptuous!
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Life changes on a daily basis and we are required to change with it. We used to travel, but after adopting our grandson, we are are at the baseball field... more »
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