Citrus fruits are some of the most popular fruits used in the culinary world. The powerful acidity is what people crave. It often rounds out the flavor of sauces, salsas, marinades, juices, and more. The reason people fall in love with citrus fruits is because they hit three of the primary flavor profiles: bitter, sweet, and sour. 

People love citrus fruits for their flavor, but they should love them for their incredible nutritional profiles. The diverse flavonoid and antioxidant compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-boosting properties. Additionally, the vitamin C in citrus fruits works to neutralize free radicals in the body, lowering the threat of oxidative damage. They are also rich in potassium, a mineral that the body needs for carbohydrate metabolism, heart contraction, and nerve function. 

There are too many citrus fruits to count, and that’s why we’ve decided to bring you the zest of the best. Keep reading to find out which citrus varieties rose to the top. Well, they topped our list, anyway!

Meyer Lemon

These may be the best lemons on the planet, primarily because they are slightly sour with wonderfully sweet undertones. If you want to make homemade lemonade, the Meyer lemon should be your first choice. It is a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange, and it rose to popularity in the culinary world because of Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, and other chefs of that caliber. 

Pomelo

This citrus fruit has too many names to count, so we’ll just stick with pomelo. It’s one of the only three original citrus species left; all of the other varieties have been hybridized. The white pomelo has a thick pith and a sweet pink/white flesh. They are very popular in Asia during the Mooncake festival. 

Sumo Tangerine

These enormous tangerines are enormously delicious. It’s not the most attractive citrus fruit, but ugly foods are often the most delicious. It’s like an easy-to-peel mandarin, but supersized and more flavorful. Sumo tangerines are new to the United States, and people are loving them. The flavor is bold, with sweet and tart flavors that keep you coming back for more. They do cost more than the average citrus fruit, but they come from Japan, so the price makes sense. 

Blood Orange

The striking red/orange flesh of the fruit looks like a wheel of tie-dye art. The blood orange is mildly tart and beautifully sweet, and the rich pigment comes from the powerful polyphenols known as anthocyanins. You can’t always get your hands on these citrus gems, so make sure to snatch them up when you see them.

Key Lime

Almost everyone has heard of key lime pie, but these small limes are not solely reserved for baking. Many people prefer key limes to regular limes because they have a stronger alkalizing effect on the body. Key limes have a subtly sweet flavor and the juice is more floral and aromatic than that of regular lime juice. 

Kumquat

These little citrus fruits are entirely edible. That’s right, folks; you can eat pop the whole thing in your mouth and enjoy the beautiful combination of the sweet skin and tart flesh. You won’t always find them in stores, but they can pop up at local farmer’s markets. Kumquat trees are also popular in many neighborhoods, so keep your eyes peeled, especially from November to March when they’re in season.

Finger Lime

The finger lime is different from most other citrus fruits, and it gets the name because it is long, just like a finger. The flesh also differs from other citrus fruit. It looks like little gelatin balls, vesicles as they are called. You can think of it like lime caviar that you can turn into a rich marmalade or add to pickling jars. You can also zest the peel for strong notes of citrus in your culinary creations.

Buddha’s Hand

This abnormal, alien-looking fruit belongs to the citrus family, but it’s definitely in a league of its own. The “fingers” open up as the fruit ripens, but you can’t really enjoy the fruit. The only usable part of this fruit is the zest because there is no flesh. Buddha’s hand has a wonderful fragrance and it is often placed as a prayer offering at pagodas or altars in Asian countries. 

Tangelo

This funky little citrus hybrid is a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine, so the flavor is both tart and sweet. Sink your teeth into this fruit and you get hit with an immediate burst of sweetness, and the tart flavor hits you on the back nine. They are easy to peel and make great substitutes for oranges. 

Calamansi

Calamansi is a classic citrus fruit in both Malaysian and Filipino cuisine. The peel is green and the flesh is a bright orange, but don’t let it fool you into thinking that it is sweet. It’s only a touch sweeter than a regular lime, but it does impart unique flavor into your food. If you want to make a homemade sorbet, fresh calamansi juice is an excellent juice to use. 

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This pineapple spinach smoothie doesn’t just taste like a tropical vacation; rather, it acts like one for your cells. Spinach brings more than its vibrant green color to the smoothie. It contains lots of magnesium, iron, and natural nitrates that encourage healthy blood flow and mitochondrial energy production. That ultimately helps the body use oxygen more efficiently. While pineapple brings a lovely sweetness, it also provides lots of bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme that works to break down proteins and can aid digestive function. What does that mean for you? No more sluggish digestion and better cellular hustle.

Think of banana as the smooth operator for this smoothie, offering a creamy texture and lovely sweetness. It also provides potassium for proper nerve signaling and muscle function. Additionally, it contains prebiotic fibers that help feed beneficial bacteria in the gut. Unlike refined sugars, the natural carbs in banana work with fiber to deliver steady energy, as opposed to spiking blood sugar and then causing an inevitable crash. Chia seeds are the small but mighty ingredients that seal the deal. Once you hydrate them in liquid, they form a gel rich in soluble fiber that not only slows glucose absorption, but also supports satiety hormones and provides ALA omega-3s.

Finally, you have the addition of freshly squeezed lime juice: the smoothie’s unsung hero. Its citric acid works to enhance mineral absorption from leafy greens, while the inherent vitamin C supports collagen synthesis and fights free radical damage. The tartness balances the sweetness, keeping your palate (and insulin response) from going over the edge. Blend everything together and you have yourself a smoothie that is not only good for you, but also tastes refreshing and fills you up.

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A finger lime is not a common produce item in the average person’s kitchen. While it is not exclusive to Michelin Star restaurants, it is not as common as the standard lime. As the name suggests, it is similar in size to a human thumb. It comes in several varieties with skins in varying shades of yellow, green, purple, and red. And each of those colors exhibits a subtle variance in flavor. 

What Are Finger Limes?

The finger lime is endemic to Australia and although their outer skin is similar to a regular lime, the inside couldn’t be more different. When you cut one open, you will find tiny little pearls, also known as vesicles. It’s almost as if these fruits are like nature’s caviar! These juicy pearls exhibit a tart flavor and the texture is reminiscent of the classic Pop Rocks candy. Finger limes are also like kumquats, in that you can eat the entire fruit, including the skin, if you so choose. It is the pearls, however, that most people use when cooking. 

Health Benefits Of Finger Limes

Just like other members of the citrus family, finger limes offer some unique health benefits. Researchers attribute these benefits to the many phenolic compounds in the skin and vesicles. The primary phenolic compounds in finger limes are flavonoids, which offer potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which support the body in myriad ways. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of finger limes. 

High Antioxidant Activity

Antioxidants are substances that can help protect the body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. The body naturally produces free radicals, but you don’t want an excess amount in the body. Research shows that too many free radicals in the body can increase the response to smoking, stress, pollution, and other environmental factors. They cause damage to cells and contribute to chronic diseases, early signs of aging, and other health conditions. The antioxidant compounds in finger limes aim to protect the body’s cells and support overall health. 

They Have Antimicrobial And Antiviral Properties

According to emerging research, finger limes (among other native citrus fruits) may contain compounds rich in antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Researchers believe these compounds support immune resilience. More research is necessary to determine the efficacy of these compounds in relation to improved immune function. 

They Are Rich In Fiber

Health experts encourage adults to eat at least 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed. That equates to about 28 to 34 grams of fiber per day for most men and 25 grams for women, although most consume less than half that amount. Fiber also helps balance gut microbiome, regulates blood sugar levels, and lowers the risk of certain cancers. One serving of finger limes (7 limes) offers three grams of fiber. Although they are not a high-fiber food, three grams is an excellent start on the road to the recommended daily intake. 

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Inflammation is the immune system’s normal response to stress, trauma, or infection. Problems arise when inflammation becomes chronic, as it contributes to issues such as arthritis, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and other conditions. Some of the compounds in finger limes work to reduce inflammation by blocking the production of cytokines, which are made by the body during an inflammatory response. By reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines, you may help alleviate symptoms associated with chronic inflammation.

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Free yourself from the store bought box of popsicles that is seemingly healthy and go straight for the good stuff with these refreshing pineapple possibles. All you need are three simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time. Well, you also need to have some patience because the popsicles need to freeze before you can enjoy them. In fact, we think that waiting is the hardest part of this entire recipe!

Popsicles make for the perfect summer treat, whether you want to cool off on a hot day or make healthy treats for the little ones. Not only are these pineapple popsicles raw vegan, but they are free of the unhealthy colors, syrups, and artificial flavors that most store bought popsicles have. They are also highly versatile, meaning you can add or subtract ingredients if you so desire. Just make sure that the ingredients you add are cleanse-approved if you still want this recipe to be raw vegan. You can add mango, passion fruit, or even berries!

When it comes time to pick your pineapple, make sure to choose a ripe one. The easiest way to do this is by pulling one or two of the central green leaves out of the top. If the leaves come out easily, then the pineapple is ripe and good to go. If it is hard to pull one out, the pineapple still needs time to ripen. Using a sweet pineapple is totally fine because of the fresh lime juice in the popsicles. It really goes well with pineapple sweetly tart flavor. We hope you love this recipe as much as we do. Tag us if you take a pic with one in the summer sun!

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If you are a busy person, time is precious, especially if you regularly run around the house cleaning up after your kids. That is exactly why we love this simple avocado mango salad, because it is easy to meal prep. If you have it prepped and ready to go, all you have to do is dress the salad when you are ready to eat it. Just take it out of the fridge and you have a healthy meal ready to go. That is far better than not having anything and resorting to the closest fast food place to your house, or some packaged snack or meal with excess sodium, preservatives, and sugar.

To make this a successful salad, make sure you gather the right ingredients. You will need the following for your avocado mango salad to shine:

• Avocados: Naturally, you need avocados for a salad that has avocado in the name. Look for avocados that are ripe, but retain some firmness, as that will provide great texture and flavor.
• Mangos: Choose ripe mangos because they will burst with a tropical sweetness that balances the other strong and acidic ingredients in this salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Not only do cherry tomatoes bring a vibrant color to the salad, but they also supply a wonderfully juicy, sweet, and slightly acidic flavor.
• Red Onion: Offer a mildly sweet crunch, red onion is a great ingredient that adds a little zing to your salad. Don’t worry about a potent onion flavor because the other ingredients offer a refreshing balance and sweetness.
• Cilantro: If you are one of those people who thinks that cilantro tastes like soap…better luck next life. We are here for this aromatic and herbal flavor that cilantro brings to the party!
• Jalapeño: Although optional, we encourage you to include it in this avocado mango salad. Remove the seeds to tame the spice, or leave them in to kick things up a notch!

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Depending on where you live, you might be in a weird limbo between spring and summer. The weather can fake you out, getting warmer for a few days, only to have a crisp chill in the air the next. On those warmer days, though, it is great to incorporate some hydrating, refreshing ingredients into your diet. That’s why we put together this lovely citrus salad, which is just as flavorful as it is beautiful.

If we could insert just a little of our own opinion here….we would tell you that we could eat this salad whenever the weather is warm. It just screams warm vibes on the beach or chill afternoons in the park. You can also enjoy this citrus salad in the comfort of your own home! And even though the word “salad” is part of the recipe, it is truly just a combination of different citrus fruits. Even the dressing contains lime! Because this salad contains three citrus varieties, it is very rich in vitamin C, which helps to optimize immune function and encourage collagen production, which contributes to healthier-looking skin.

This salad consists of Cara Cara oranges (although any orange variety is acceptable to use) and grapefruit. Cara Cara oranges are naturally sweeter, complementing the tart and slightly bitter flavor of grapefruit. Make sure to peel the oranges and grapefruit, ensuring you remove any excess pith (the white inner part of the peel). Cut your fruit into segments to give your salad an elevated look. Don’t have time for all that fancy jazz? Cut the oranges and grapefruit as you please and toss the pieces in the dressing.

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Everyone could use some more healthy fats in their life. Enter avocado into the equation, but fear not because this is not guacamole in dessert form. This is a splendid citrusy dessert that tastes like a healthier version of key lime pie (just without the pie crust and whipped cream). This recipe is actually akin to chocolate avocado pudding. If you have tried that, you know that the avocado flies under the radar of your taste buds. The avocado is simply an ingredient that enhances creaminess.

This avocado mousse does resemble a velvety smooth guacamole, but that’s only because of the color. Once you get over that hurdle, you unlock a whole new world of flavor. The lime juice and zest provides that tart flavor, which is mellowed by the creamy avocado and sweet raw agave nectar. Don’t have agave on hand? Feel free to use grade A or “pure” maple syrup. The flavor may change slightly because of the maple syrup, but it will not alter the texture of the mousse. As long as you blend the ingredients thoroughly, the mousse will have a creamy texture. If you want to really get fancy with it, feel free to bust out an electric hand mixer and whip the blended mixture.

A quick word about avocados: they contain a wide variety of nutrients and may help prevent bone loss, improve heart health, and boost digestion. They provide a substantial amount of monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help you feel fuller between meals. Eating healthy fats can help slow the breakdown of carbohydrates, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.

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This is not your average fruit salad, people. This jicama salad, known as xec, is a citrus salad from the Yucatan state in Mexico. Xec is actually the Mayan word for salad, or ensalada. It is a quick and easy dish that is a classical side during the Day of the Dead. The ingredients in this salad may change depending on the time of year, as people use the seasonal produce that is available. Typically, though, the salad is made up of jicama, citrus fruit, and either chili powder or freshly diced serrano or habañero peppers. A classic ingredient list is as follows:

• Jicama
• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Mandarin (or tangerine)
• Sour orange
• chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper

In Yucatan, jicama is in season from November to January. It’s very common to see this salad sold by local vendors in markets in Mexico, but the ingredients can vary with the seasons. Mangos come into season during February and dragon fruit, pineapples, and other fruits and vegetables arrive during spring. Feel free to get adventurous with seasonal produce or use this recipe that is a great mix of fresh flavors.

The hardest part of making this fruit salad is the prep work, specifically the peeling of the jicama. Make sure to remove any excess skin and then dice the jicama up into bite-size pieces. It’s very common to squeeze half of a lime over the jicama to help awaken some natural flavor. This process also helps to prevent the jicama from browning.

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Get ready to make one of the easiest salads you will ever prepare. It’s a halfway point between a salad and guacamole, but one thing is for certain: it is undeniably delicious. Plus, it is filled with healthy fats and fiber, two things that work to fill you up. That is very important if you are participating in our Full Body Cleanse, because you want to avoid those feelings of intense hunger as much as possible. Fill up on deliciousness and fresh, whole foods that offer an assortment of antioxidants and nutrients when you enjoy this refreshing spring salad.

The great thing about this recipe is that it comes together in about five to 10 minutes, and you don’t have to go the extra step to make a special dressing. Simply combine the ingredients in a bowl and serve. It makes for a great entree salad (if you are cleansing) or a wonderful appetizer or side dish. Another bonus of this avocado salad is that it contains many colors of the rainbow. If you are familiar with Dherbs, you know that we preach the concept of eating the rainbow. This essentially means that you should eat as many different colored fruits and vegetables as possible in order to obtain a wide variety of antioxidant compounds.

This easy salad calls for just six ingredients: avocado, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. You can season the salad with sea salt and pepper, but we don’t count those as ingredients. If you don’t have sea salt and pepper in your kitchen, it’s time to level up, folks. Additionally, you can sub out the bell pepper for diced mango or strawberry if you want to add a tropical element to this salad.

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Summer is not complete without, you guessed it, water. When the sun is blazing, you have to hydrate at all times. Before you even think, “I’m thirsty, so I should really drink some water,” you need to hydrate. We get it, though, drinking water all day long can bore your taste buds. Rather than reaching for a sugary beverage, caffeinated beverage, or soda, opt for something that can further enhance your hydration efforts. This homemade ginger limeade is that drink!

The great thing about this recipe is that, besides it being perfectly balanced by the raw agave nectar, it is impressively refreshing. Your taste buds won’t know what hit them! The ginger adds a hint of spice, but just enough to prevent you from downing an entire pitcher of this stuff. If you have a sore throat or digestive problems, the ginger will benefit you. Studies confirm that ginger exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe a sore throat and relieve digestive discomfort.

For the lime juice, you need to freshly squeeze the limes if you want it to be cleanse-approved. Fresh lime juice offers a better flavor than a bottle of lime juice concentrate. Just make sure to use a citrus squeezer because it is farm more effective than using your hand to squeeze the limes. If you do not have a citrus squeezer, you can stick a fork into the lime and twist while you squeeze with the other hand. That will help you get as much juice out as possible. Finally, make sure that you peel and then grate the ginger. Use a zester so that you don’t have large bits of ginger root in the limeade. Cheers to your health!

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