Seville is known for its bitter oranges and they are in season

If there is a fruit for which Seville is known, it is bitter oranges. Bitter oranges have a long tradition and many unique qualities and can be found all over the city. For Agua de Azahar Luca de Tena it is very important that we recognise the value of this wonderful product that comes from Seville’s orange trees — trees which also give us the orange blossom.

As we indicated in the title of this post, November marks the beginning of Seville’s bitter orange season. As a result, we think it’s a great opportunity to tell you everything we know about them. Be sure to follow this blog!

Where do they come from?

Although we think of orange trees when we think of Seville, they originated outside the city. Orange trees come from China, however, we know that the Romans brought them to the Iberian Peninsula and that during the time of Al-Andalus, the Moors spread them across their territory, and above all throughout what is now Andalusia.

Here in the city of Seville the Patio de los Naranjos is a very important historical and cultural site that now belongs to the Seville Cathedral, however, it used to belong to the mosque that was built at the same location.

Currently, Seville has more orange trees lining its streets than any other city in the world giving it that very characteristic scent that has us all enamoured.

What do we use them for?

The bitter orange of Seville is a fruit that can’t be eaten directly from the tree. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be used for other things.

One of the most common and well-known uses is for making British-style jam, as well as alcoholic beverages. They are also used in many recipes in which they are prepared in the appropriate manner.

Undoubtedly, what we use most from these orange trees is their flower, the orange blossom. An aroma that has become a symbol of the city and, since time immemorial, has been used to make perfumes, oils and, of course, orange blossom water..

The bitter orange, a marvellous product that all Sevillians can boast about, is just coming into season. We at Agua de Azahar Luca de Tena hope that you enjoyed discovering a little more about them.

Would you like to try our orange blossom water? It gives your recipes a unique flavour and you can purchase it at our online. We look forward to seeing you there!