Instructions: Distinctive flavors and their long-recognized healthfulness have made citrus a fresh fruit standard throughout the world. In the United States that standard has primarily been oranges, lemons, grapefruit and some tangerine varieties. Now, many discerning consumers are looking to add other members of the citrus family to their list of old favorites.

These newcomers are called "citrus specialties" because they are not as familiar as the other varieties and they are available during a more limited time period - October through April, depending on the variety.

The most popular of the Sunkist (c) citrus specialties are often sold as tangerines, but actually there are three types of tangerines coming from western growing areas - true tangerines, mandarins and tangelos. The Fairchild is the major western-grown tangerine; the satsuma, royal and honey are the primary mandarin varieties. The two tangelos, crosses between a grapefruit and a tangerine, are the Orlando and the Minneola.

The moro orange is sometimes referred to as the "blood orange" because of its deep burgundy colored flesh. Popular in Europe and North Africa for centuries, now this fruit from California is being enjoyed in the United States.

The pummelo, sometimes called a "Chinese grapefruit", is the largest of the citrus fruits. Especially popular for Chinese New Year, the Chinese believe it is a sign of prosperity and good fortune. Now, it is being universally enjoyed for its unique flavor and goodness.

The oroblanco and its cousin the melogold are crosses between a white grapefruit and an acidless pummelo.

More information about citrus specialties from the west is presented here, along with easy-to-prepare recipes that will add extra flavor, color and good nutrition to your winter menus.

Tangelos
The Orlando, available mid-November through mid-February, is juicy, mild flavored, rather large in size, with a pebbly texture and few seeds. The Minneola, in markets mid-December through April, is large, deep colored and recognized by the knob-like formation at the stem end. It has a tart-sweet flavor, peels easily and has few seeds.

Oroblancos & Melogolds
The oroblanco, available November through mid-April, has a bright green exterior early in the season, signifying green is good. The green turns to yellow later in the season. It resembles a grapefruit, with white flesh, but is sweeter, lacking the bitterness sometimes associated with grapefruit. The melogold, available December through mid-April, is similar to the oroblanco, but is generally larger.

Moro Oranges
This fruit has a bright red to deep maroon interior with an orange exterior overlaid with a red blush. Its flavor combines a rich orange taste with overtones of raspberry. The fruit tends to be smaller in size, fairly easy to peel, with few seeds. It is in markets December through May.

Mandarins & Tangerines
Fairchild tangerines, available mid-October to mid-January, have a bright orange interior and exterior. Satsuma mandarins, available mid-October through December, have a lighter orange exterior, bright orange interior, with mild sweet flavor. Honey mandarins, available mid-January through April, are aromatic and rich flavored. Royal mandarins, in markets mid-January to mid-March, are larger, red-orange in color, with a spicy, tart flavor. All varieties peel easily.

Pummelos
Pummelos, in markets November through April, resemble large grapefruit, with thick green to yellow exterior and white to deep pink interior. Segments are large and juicy, and the flavor is unique, sweeter and less acidic than grapefruit. They are peeled differently than grapefruit, so instructions on peeling one are below.

+ Cut thin slice off both ends of fruit. With knife, score peel in 5 places, top to bottom. With fingers, pull peel free with downward motion.

+ Pull fruit in half from center, like an orange. Peel outer white membrane away by knife or hand. Cut inner portion of white membrane away.

+ Remove sections of fruit from membrane. Eat "as is" with or without sugar. Or serve in salads, fruit desserts or with a dip.

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