Origin and history
The bitter orange, also known as the Seville orange, is an ancient citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia. It was introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages, long before the sweet orange, and quickly became acclimatized around the Mediterranean basin. Its fruits, smaller and more bitter than those of the sweet orange tree, were once used to make jams, liqueurs, and natural remedies. The flowers of the bitter orange tree are known to produceorange blossom water, which is widely used in perfumery, pastry making, and for its soothing properties.
