The
orange fruit is an important agricultural product, used for both the juicy fruit pulp and the aromatic peel (rind).
Orange blossoms (the flowers) are used in several different ways, as are the leaves and wood of the tree.
Flowers • The
orange blossom, which is the
state flower of Florida, is highly fragrant and traditionally associated with good fortune. It has long been popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths. • Orange blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume. • Orange blossom petals can also be made into a delicately citrus-scented counterpart to
rosewater, known as "orange blossom water" or "orange flower water". It is a common ingredient in French and Middle Eastern cuisines, especially in desserts and baked goods. In some Middle Eastern countries, drops of orange flower water are added to disguise the unpleasant taste of
hard water drawn from wells or stored in (traditional Egyptian water pitchers made of porous clay). In the United States, orange flower water is used to make orange blossom
scones and marshmallows. • In Spain, fallen blossoms are dried and used to make orange tea. •
Orange blossom honey (or citrus honey) is obtained by putting
beehives in the citrus groves while trees bloom. By this method, bees also
pollinate seeded citrus varieties. This type of honey has an orangey taste and is highly prized.
Leaves • Orange leaves can be boiled to make
orange tea.
Wood • Orangewood sticks are used as cuticle pushers in manicures and pedicures, as
spudgers for manipulating slender electronic wires and as
peg wood in watchmaking. • Orangewood is used in the same way as mesquite, oak, and hickory for
smoking grilled meat. File:Orangerie du château de Versailles le 11 septembre 2015 - 84.jpg|Orange trees in movable pots, so that they can be placed indoors for the winter File:Orange flowers - Portakal çiçekleri 03.jpg|Orange flowers File:Unripened orange.JPG|Unripened fruit File:Oranges and blood oranges (01).jpg|Blood oranges File:Arancia di Ribera byFigiu.JPG|Oranges on the branch File:Apfelsinenbaum--Orange tree.jpg|Oranges on a tree File:Laranxeira Naranjo GFDL.JPG|A mature tree in
Galicia, Spain == Threats ==