But that's just the beginning. The spongy white part of the citrus peel contains pectin, which is used for making jelly. The essential oils in the citrus peels are used as food flavoring and in perfume and soap. The peel itself may turn up as candy or marmalade. Seeds can be pressed to make cooking oil and salad oil.
Citrus also is used in making ice cream, slushes, wine, cosmetics and bug spray.
Sweet orange blossoms show up in tea and bakery products. Much of Florida's honey is made by bees from orange blossom nectar. Scientists at the world-famous Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida, constantly are finding new ways to use the whole fruit. The Center is the largest agricultural research facility in the world devoted to only one crop. Its purpose is to ensure that growers are getting the best fruit their groves can produce, and that Florida's citrus industry keeps growing better.