Where did oranges come from?

The origins of the orange can be traced back to Southeast Asia, with its center of diversity located in the region encompassing northeastern India, Myanmar, southern China, and Thailand. This region is believed to be where the wild ancestors of the orange species originated and where citrus fruits first evolved.

Orange trees were first cultivated in China around 2500 BC, where they were considered a valuable and auspicious fruit. The orange was introduced to Europe by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and quickly became popular throughout the continent and eventually the world.

Today, oranges are grown commercially in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the United States, Brazil, Spain, India, and China.