Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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In seventeenth century England, as in Italy today, citrus trees were often grown in large pots which were kept outside in the summer and wheeled back indoors (into a heated orangery) to over winter, something they still do on a small scale at Chiswick House in London. There is an orangery - Dutch influenced - in the grounds of Ham House, and another, well documented, in Kew gardens, where it is currently being restored.
Oranges,
“First Orange garden of England” and famous too. Reported by J. Evelyn sept.27 1658. It was Bedington (Nr. Cheme? & Bansted)the antient Seate of the Carews. —Interesting way of preventing frost burn — “( being now over-growne trees, and planted in the ground, & secured in winter with Wooden Tabernacle & stoves:… the pomegranads beare here…. fully planted with Walnuts & Chery trees,which afford considerable rent:….” (profitable too. no gentleman farmer?
Oranges, Mandarins, Tangerines, Sugar and Spice and all things nice
a story of the Grape fruit and grapefruit. “some visitors to the States were offered grape_fruit, expecting fruit of the vine received Grape-fruit, Oh my! Sour Orange.
transport of oranges
Interesting to know: to preserve the oranges during their transport by ship, they were usually packed in barrels filled with salt water. This lies at the origin of the salty taste of the “real” orange marmelade (containing the peel of the orange as well as the fruit).