Oranges are fruits which grow on trees in the Citrus rutaceae family. Citrus aurantium, or Seville oranges, are bitter oranges which originated in southeast Asia, but were introduced to England through Spain. Citrus sinensus is a sweet orange which was not introduced to England until approximately the mid-seventeenth century.

 

Oranges likely spread from the Malay archipelago to India and Africa, and from there to the Mediterranean and the rest of Europe. Oranges became common in England after 1700.

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Seville oranges and other citrus fruits were typically used in medical care. Sweet oranges, after their introduction, were often only available to the wealthy and were considered a dessert fruit. Oranges were most commonly used for essence of oranges, orange oils, and orange peel. Elizabeth Dyke uses oranges to make puddings, sweet water, orange chips, cakes, preserves, cough treatments, cordial water, headache treatments, and to improve heart health.