(NewsUSA)
- Summer is the season to celebrate citrus—bright, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Right now, fresh lemons, mandarins, and navel oranges from Chile are arriving in stores, bringing a taste of sunshine from the Southern Hemisphere straight to your table. Each fruit offers unique health benefits and endless ways to enjoy them in the warm months ahead.
Lemons: The Zest of Life
Lemons are famous for their tangy flavor, but their real power lies in their nutritional value. A single lemon provides over half your daily vitamin C needs, supporting immune health and radiant skin. They're also rich in antioxidants and compounds that aid digestion. In summer, lemons shine in sparkling lemon water with mint, drizzled over grilled seafood and vegetables, or blended with honey and frozen into refreshing popsicles.
Mandarins: Sweet Little Boosters
Mandarins are smaller, sweeter cousins of the orange, with easy-to-peel skin that makes them perfect for on-the-go snacking. They deliver a solid dose of vitamin C along with fiber, which helps support healthy digestion. Their natural sweetness and juiciness make them a great addition to summer fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or chilled smoothie bowls. For a twist, toss mandarin segments into a green salad with toasted almonds and a light citrus dressing.
Navel Oranges: Classic & Juicy
Navel oranges are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—seedless, sweet, and satisfyingly juicy. Like their citrus cousins, they're loaded with vitamin C and also provide folate and potassium, nutrients that support heart health and energy. In the summer heat, they're perfect sliced and chilled for an afternoon snack, juiced for a fresh breakfast drink, or incorporated into savory dishes like orange-glazed chicken or grilled shrimp skewers with orange segments.
A Citrus Summer Tip:
Store your citrus in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer, and bring it to room temperature before eating to enjoy maximum juiciness and flavor. Whether you're sipping, snacking, or cooking, these citrus fruits add a burst of sunshine to your summer—and a boost to your health.
