Are strawberries citrus?
In this article, we answer the question, “Are strawberries citrus”? and will discuss what type of natural acids are present in strawberries.
Are strawberries citrus?
No, strawberries are not a citrus fruit. Despite their resemblance to citrus fruits, strawberries do not fit under this category. Citrus plants are thorny trees or bushes developed for their delicious fruit in warm climates – in other words, they’re nothing like strawberries. Stay tuned to learn about strawberry varieties, their origin, and how to plant them.
Strawberries are beautiful white flowers with a trailing habit that grow well in pots on the patio. Citrus trees cannot be cultivated outside of USDA subtropical zones 9b through 10b, although dwarf citrus trees can be grown in pots and brought indoors during the winter. If you reside in Florida or Southern California, you may cultivate your lemons, oranges, or grapefruits by planting citrus trees outside.
Strawberries are part of what family?
Because strawberries are not citrus fruits, you may be asking what plant family they belong to, and the answer may surprise you! Strawberries are a member of the Rosaceae family, also known as the rose family! The Rosaceae family has around 3,400 species of plants, shrubs, herbs and trees.
The strawberry is one of numerous members of the rose family that blooms and bears fruit. Strawberries belong to the Rosoidea subfamily of the rose family.
And strawberries aren’t the only popular rose-related fruit! The rose family also includes raspberries and blackberries. The rose family includes apples, cherry, pear, plums, peaches, and apricots!
While raspberries and blackberries belong to the same family as strawberries, you’ll notice that one popular fruit isn’t included in this list: blueberries. So, if blueberries aren’t in the same family as other berries like strawberries, where do they belong? Blueberries belong to the Ericaceae family, rather than the Rosaceae family.
Other fruity members of the Ericaceae family include cranberries and huckleberries, which are endemic to North America.
Citrus fruits: what are they?
Despite the fact that strawberries do not belong to citrus fruits, you may be unsure what a citrus fruit is.
All members of the plant family named Rutaceae are referred to as “citrus fruits.” Citrus fruits are mostly found in tropical locations such as Australia and Asia. The trees of the Rutaceae family are typically rather big, reaching heights of up to fifty feet! They feature evergreen leaves and spiky branches in most cases.
Because of the essential oils, the flowers on these trees are solitary and have a deeper smell. These blossoms will then develop into some of your favorite foods!
Citrus fruits are well-known for their strong aroma and high percentage of vitamin C. They’re also high in citric acid (thus the name), which gives the fruit its distinctive tart and acidic flavor. These fruits are also beneficial to one’s health.
What are some citrus fruit examples?
Some of the most popular fruits belong to the citrus family! Oranges are one of the most well-known examples. Oranges are a mix between mandarins and pomelos that are widely consumed around the world.
Clementines, tangerines, and tangelos are all citrus fruits, as are a variety of mandarins. Citrus fruits include limes, key limes, lemons, and grapefruits, among others. Yuzus, citrons , kinnows, and Buddha’s hand are some of the other citrus fruits you might not be familiar with.
Is citric acid present in strawberries?
Although strawberries are not citrus fruits, they do contain citric acid. Citric acid gives strawberries a slightly acidic flavor. Citric acid accounts for around 88 percent of the fruit’s total acid content. Ellagic acid and malic acid are two more acids present in strawberries. The acidity of the strawberry diminishes as it ripens, making it sweeter and less bitter!
So, why are strawberries not classified as citrus fruits? Strawberry is classified as an achene fruit. This indicates they’re just plain dried fruit. Citrus fruits, on the other hand, are known as hesperidium fruits. Strawberries, like citrus fruits, are grown in diverse regions of the world. Strawberries are cultivated in northern (colder) latitudes; thus, they lack the thick peel seen in other citrus fruits.
Acids present in strawberries
Ascorbic acid, citric acid, ellagic acid, malic acid, and pantothenic acid are the five acids found in strawberries. The overall amount of each acid varies according to the strawberry type, preservation method, and storage duration. According to the “Handbook of Fruits and Fruit Processing,” the United States tops the world in strawberry production, with approximately 1 million metric tons cultivated each year. Strawberries, a member of the rose family, have a lengthy history in the United States. Native Americans were already utilizing strawberries as a component in cornmeal bread when the first Europeans arrived.
Other FAQs about Strawberries that you may be interested in.
Are you supposed to refrigerate strawberries?
Conclusion
This article answered the question, “Are strawberries citrus”? and discussed what type of natural acids are present in strawberries.
