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Scent and Flavour of Citrus Fruit in the ’Lemon and Orange Blossom Valley’

Diputación de Málaga
Naranjo en flor

Scent and Flavour of Citrus Fruit in the ’Lemon and Orange Blossom Valley’

The Guadalhorce Valley, which supplies us with lemons, oranges and mandarins

Blossom Valley and Citrus Fruit Cultivation

The Guadalhorce Valley has been called for ages the ‘Orange and Lemon Blossom Valley’ because of the large surface of orchards with citrus fruit that extend over the Guadalhorce and its tributaries plain. The marvellous smell of lemon and orange blossom is why these orchards, which they have nothing to envy almond or cherry blossom scenery, are visited.

Citrus growing has been known since the Middle Ages in the Guadalhorce Valley and became very important in the Late Modern Period. According to the Rural Development Group in the Guadalhorce Valley, it would have been impossible to have these large surfaces with orange and lemon orchards in Álora, Pizarra, Cártama, Alhaurín El Grande or Coín if there had not been for the agricultural boost in that period of time.

The aim for these products was not only their trade and their immediate consumption but there was also a drying process of their peel in special chambers (cascareros) done by local or export trading companies. These buildings are special features of the rural architecture in the Guadalhorce Valley area. Obviously, their name in Spanish comes from their use, which is ‘citrus fruit peels drying’, although some other products, such as almonds, figs and tobacco were handled there as well.

Dry peels would be transported so they could be used for making gunpowder. The fact that this raw products had to be transported, was how this kind of business boomed when the railway was made and the first railroad from Málaga to Álora was opened in 1863. Since then, the above buildings started to be built close to train stations in the areas with large lemon and orange orchards.

Because of this, places in the Valley of Guadalhorce with a great number of drying chambers are located close to the railway that goes from the train stations in Pizarra and Las Mellizas Stop in Álora. Besides these two villages, there are such buildings in Alhaurín El Grande, Cártama and Coín, although their number is lower. Today, most of them are homes for people, as they are firm buildings with several floors made of stone and wooden beams and wattle, which were used to split the rooms, and with a gable roof made of two arched imbrex tiles.

Citrus Fruit Production

We can sum up that citrus fruit production in the Province of Málaga mainly takes place in the Guadalhorce Valley. Lemon, orange and mandarin trees orchards cover a Surface of 10,000 hectares. Lemon production stands out, as it represents 50% of total citrus fruit production in the province. During the periods of the highest production, 150,000 tonnes of lemon can be obtained. The most common varieties of lemon in Málaga are ‘fino’ and ‘verna’ lemon.

‘Fino’ lemon tree is usually grown on fertile plains, while ‘verna’ is mainly cultivated on mountain sides. The former one has oval or, sometimes, round lemons with a short pedicel, fine plain peel, a lot of juice and few seeds. The latter one produces larger lemons with rough, thick, irregular peel and has less juice.

Oranges and mandarins are also mainly grown in the Guadalhorce Valley. Orange trees grow well in warm and wet climates, like the one in the area. Oranges production in Málaga is rather high (sometimes even higher than 4t) and it can cover the export needs as well. As for mandarins, the production volume is lower, and used for local consumption as this fruit has always been very popular there thanks to its good flavour.

Most common varieties of Málaga’s oranges are ‘Valencian’ (valenciana) and ‘navelate’. Valencian orange, which is also known as ‘Valencia Late’ is the most popular in Spain and the most consumed in the world. Its peel is very thin, and it has a lot of juice which is rather sour. On the other side, ‘navelate’ is much sweeter and juicier.

Most common mandarins that grow in Málaga are ‘clemenula’ and ‘clemenvilla’. Both of them are clementines, although there are some slight differences among them. ‘Clemenulas’ are large and difficult to peel. Their pulp is juicy, and they have few seeds. ‘Clemenvillas’ are also big, but there are smaller types. They are juicy and easy to peel, although they are sweet-and-sour.

‘Cascarúo’ Lemon and Easter

In Málaga, there are traditions which are related to lemons at Easter. This is when you can buy ‘cascarúo’ kind of lemon with a very thick peel. The way you should eat it is by taking off the peel, and making small pieces which are then put in salt or bicarbonate of soda. This type of lemon does not have such a strong flavour as other species, although it is as sour as a lemon should be.

Málaga’s Salad with Oranges

One of traditional recipes from Málaga is a light refreshing salad with sweet-and-sour and salty flavours, where orange is one of the main ingredients. It is called ‘Ensalada malagueña’ or Malaga’s salad and it is made of cooked potatoes, olives, cod, tuna, onion and olive oil. This salad is commonly eaten in summer and it is one of the most popular ‘tapas’ in bars and restaurants in the province.

Citrus Fruit Health Benefits

Citrus fruit, such as lemons, oranges and mandarins have plenty of health protective properties. They are high in vitamins A, B1, B2, C and minerals. They also create prebiotics in human body which help digestion and prevent colorectal cancer. Moreover, they improve natural defence against viruses and the common cold.

More information

Through the Sabor a Málaga website you can buy directly from any of the producers in the province included in the brand.