Bitter orange 370312 224981504 2008-07-11T08:32:33Z Cuaxdon 6807998 /* External links */ :''For the fruit known as "Chinese Bitter Orange," see [[Trifoliate orange]]''. {{Taxobox | name = ''Citrus aurantium'' | image = Koeh-042.jpg | image_width = 240px | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]] | subclassis = [[Rosidae]] | ordo = [[Sapindales]] | familia = [[Rutaceae]] | genus = [[Citrus]] | species = '''''C. aurantium''''' | binomial = ''Citrus aurantium'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?10684 |title=Citrus aurantium information from NPGS/GRIN |publisher=www.ars-grin.gov |accessdate=2008-03-17 |last= |first= }} </ref> }} The name "'''bitter orange'''" refers to a [[citrus]] tree ('''''Citrus aurantium''''') and its fruit. Many varieties of bitter oranges are used for their [[essential oil]], which is used in [[perfume]] and as a [[flavoring]]. They are also used in [[herbal medicine]]. Other names include '''sour orange''', '''bigarade orange''' and '''Seville orange'''. ===Varieties=== *''Citrus aurantium'' subsp. ''amara'' is a spiny evergreen tree native to southern [[Vietnam]], but widely cultivated. It is used as [[grafting]] stock for citrus trees, in [[marmalade]], and in the [[liqueur]]s [[Triple sec]], [[Grand Marnier]] and [[Curaçao liqueur|Curaçao]]. It is also cultivated for the essential oil expressed from the fruit, and for [[neroli oil]] and orange [[hydrosol|flower water]], which are [[distillation|distilled]] from the flowers. *'''Seville orange''' (or ''bigarade'') is a widely-known, particularly tart orange which is now grown throughout the Mediterranean region. It has a thick, dimpled skin and is prized for making [[marmalade]], being higher in [[pectin]] than the [[orange (fruit)|sweet orange]], and therefore giving a better set and a higher yield. It is also used in [[compote]]s and for orange-flavored liqueurs. *[[Bergamot orange]], ''C. aurantium'' subsp. ''bergamia'' is cultivated in [[Italy]] for the production of bergamot oil, a component of many brands of perfume and tea. *[[Chinotto]], from the [[myrtle-leaved orange]] tree, ''C. aurantium'' var. ''myrtifolia'', native to Italy *[[Daidai]], ''C. aurantium'' var. ''daidai'', used in [[Traditional Chinese medicine|Chinese medicine]] and [[Japanese New Year]] celebrations. == Uses in cooking == The unripe fruit called "narthangai" is commonly used in Southern Indian food, especially in [[Tamil cuisine]]. The unripe fruit is pickled by cutting it into spirals and stuffing it with salt. The pickle is usually consumed with [[thayir sadam]]. The fresh fruit is also used frequently in [[pachadi]]s. The juice from the ripe fruit is also used as a marinade in meat in Cuban cooking. The peel can also become an ingredient in bitters. The Belgian [[Witbier]] (white beer) is a beer made from wheat which is spiced with the peel of the bitter orange. The Finnish use bitter orange peel in gingerbread, also in [[mämmi]]. == Health supplement status == The [[solvent extraction|extract]] of bitter orange (and bitter orange peel) has been used in [[dietary supplements]] as an aid to [[Weight loss|fat loss]] and as an [[appetite suppressant]], although in [[traditional Chinese medicine]] it is always prescribed in concert with other support herbs, not in isolation. Bitter orange contains [[synephrine]], a drug similar to [[ephedrine]], acting as a stimulant ([[Adrenergic receptor#.CE.B2-Adrenergic receptors|β<sub>2</sub> agonist]]) with a possible risk of [[ischemic stroke]] and heart problems. == See also == * [[Neroli]] * [[Orange flower water]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons|Citrus aurantium}} *[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/HI00053 Medications, supplements and illicit drugs that can raise your blood pressure] *[http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=276 Bitter Orange List of Chemicals (Dr. Duke's Databases)] *[http://www.drugs.com/npp/bitter-orange.html Complete Bitter Orange Information (www.drugs.com)] *[http://www.sacredlotus.com/herbs/herb.cfm/hid/390 Herb: Zhi Shi (Immature Fruit of the Bitter Orange), Fructus Immaturus Citri Aurantii] [[Category:Citrus]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] [[ar:نارنج]] [[bg:Бергамот]] [[ca:Taronger agre]] [[ch:Kahet]] [[da:Pomerans]] [[de:Bitterorange]] [[et:Pomerantsipuu]] [[el:Νεραντζιά]] [[es:Citrus × aurantium]] [[eo:Bigaradujo]] [[fa:نارنج]] [[fr:Bigaradier]] [[it:Citrus × aurantium]] [[he:חושחש]] [[lt:Karčiavaisis citrinmedis]] [[nl:Zure sinaasappel]] [[no:Pomerans]] [[pl:Pomarańcza gorzka]] [[ru:Померанец]] [[fi:Pomeranssi]] [[sv:Pomerans]] [[to:Kola]] [[tr:Turunç]] [[zh:苦橙]]