Citrus fruit

Two lemons

Citrus fruit can refer to:

• Oranges
• Bitter orange
• Citron
• Chinnoto orange
• Clementines
• Key limes
• Kumquats
• Mandarin oranges
• Satsumas
• Tangerines
• Lemons
• Limes
• Grapefruit

Removing the wax coating from lemons

Non-organic citrus fruit is coated with a thin layer of wax (either petroleum-based or natural), which prevents water loss and therefore extends the shelf life. Wax is also used for aesthetic reasons. Apparently, as consumers, we demand shiny fruit. Organic fruit is not waxed as that would not be permitted under organic standards.

Here are a couple of methods that you can use to remove wax from citrus fruit:

Boiling water

• Place fruit in a colander
• Boil a kettle & leave to cool for 5 minutes
• Pour over the fruit
• Using gloves to protect your hands from the heat, scrub the fruit with a small brush
• Rinse with cold water and wipe dry with paper towels

Microwave

• Microwave fruit for 10 seconds
• Using gloves to protect your hands from the heat, scrub the fruit with a small brush
• Rinse with cold water and wipe dry with paper towels