A Tribute to the Orange: The Fruit that has Captivated Us for Ages
- Sanja Metković
- Dec 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2024
A Timeless Tale of Taste and Tradition
Citrus sinensis var. Osbeckia, the Latin name for the orange that has adorned the gardens of our estate for over 50 years. Every year, the oranges give us about 2 tons of fruit. The oranges from our estate are a real treat for making fresh juice. In season every morning we squeeze a few oranges and enjoy a glass of vitamin C! Since we have oranges in abundance, we prepare delicious homemade marmalade, homemade bitter orange liqueur, and it is an indispensable ingredient in our homemade cakes.
Oranges, a sunny yellow citrus fruit, are not only delicious and healthy, but also a plant with a fascinating history and diverse uses.
They have been cultivated in our Dubrovnik region since ancient times, and the first mention of them dates back to the 13th century, where they were sold wholesale at the market. Citrus fruits are particularly often mentioned, including orange, bitter orange and lemon trees, but mainly in monastery gardens.
Oranges were cultivated by noble and maritime families, for their juicy fruit and the beauty of the tree itself.
Our journey with the orange begins in Southeast Asia, probably in China and northern Vietnam, where it was first cultivated.
It was brought to Europe by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and then transported across the ocean by Columbus on his second voyage to America in 1493.
Today, oranges are grown all over the world in warm and sunny regions, enriching us with their fruits throughout the year.
In Chinese culture, the orange tree symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and this opinion, although subconsciously, was clearly shared in our region, because during the Republic, oranges were an indispensable part of the gardens of monasteries, villas of nobles, sailors, merchants and landowners from Dubrovnik.
In the 19th century, every house in Dubrovnik had a garden in which oranges and lemons grew.
At the end of the 19th century, an Agricultural Society was founded in the garden of the Sorgo summer house, which initiated the serial cultivation of lemons and oranges, which were sent throughout Dalmatia. Likewise, in the first half of the 20th century, by order of the Dubrovnik County Government, every married couple was required to plant five fruit or citrus trees upon marriage, and five fruit trees after the birth of their first child, and three fruit trees after the birth of each subsequent child.
Likewise, every student after completing the fourth grade of elementary school was required to plant five fruit or citrus trees under the supervision of a teacher or parent.
The municipal administration of the Agricultural or Tourist Board provided seedlings for the poor, and fruit trees were planted along public roads, on its own, village and municipal land.
The Dubrovnik Republic often gave oranges as a token of gratitude or as a gift to gain favor. Thus, in 1543, the Senate of the Republic presented the Sandžakbeg of Herzegovina with fruit, including 500 oranges, as a token of gratitude for reopening the route by which merchants brought their livestock to the Dubrovnik market.
Oranges are much more than just delicious fruit.
Flower honey is used in perfumery and aromatherapy, while orange peel is used to produce oil that is used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Orange wood is even used to make furniture and musical instruments! Orange wood is often used to make guitars, violins, and other stringed instruments. It is valued for its warm and rich tone. In Konavle, there is still a lyre made of orange wood today. Orange wood is also used to make wind instruments, such as clarinets and flutes.
It is important to note that orange wood is not as commonly used to make musical instruments as some other woods, such as spruce, maple, and ebony. This is because orange wood is relatively rare and expensive. However, it offers unique sound characteristics that make it a popular choice for some instruments.
Oranges fascinate us not only with their fruit, but also with their rich history, diverse uses, and positive health effects.
This orange is known for its unique aroma and sweet taste. It has a thin peel and juicy flesh, and is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
It is grown in the traditional way, without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers, making it a high-quality, ecological product. The salt from our bay penetrates the leaves and fruit, giving them a special quality and unique flavor.
Here's what we get from our oranges: we make "arancini" or candied peel from the peel, we put the grated peel in cakes and desserts, we make marmalade and liqueur from the fruit and pulp, and we use orange leaves for tea and to decorate desserts.
Making orange marmalade in Dubrovnik region has a long and rich tradition.
Oranges have been grown in this area for centuries, and orange marmalade was a popular way to preserve excess fruit.
Traditionally, orange marmalade was cooked in large copper pots over an open fire. It was a long and laborious process, but the result was a delicious and aromatic marmalade that could be stored for months. Today, however, we use modern methods when cooking and making marmalade.
For those interested in making orange marmalade, a recipe can be downloaded at the following link:
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