California specialty citrus goes well beyond the Washington Navel orange. The state grows tangelos, Eureka and Lisbon lemons, Oro Blanco grapefruit hybrids, Satsuma mandarins and, increasingly, Australian finger limes, many in Southern California microclimates where elevation, temperature and soil shape distinct flavors.
Which specialty citrus varieties grow in California?
The Washington Navel orange is often thought of as the defining fruit of California citrus. But the state produces a wide range of specialty varieties that reflect both plant introductions from abroad and local adaptation.
They include tangelos (grapefruit and mandarin hybrids), Eureka and Lisbon lemons, Oro Blanco grapefruit hybrids and, more and more, Australian finger limes (Citrus australasica). Many are grown in Southern California microclimates, where differences in elevation, temperature and soil give each its own flavor.
What are finger limes?
Finger limes, sometimes called "citrus caviar," are native to Australia. Their long fruit is filled with small vesicles that look like pearls. Besides their use in cooking, finger limes have been noted for their relative resistance to the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect that spreads citrus greening disease (huanglongbing, or HLB). No citrus is fully immune, but that tolerance has made finger limes interesting to both growers and researchers.
What makes tangelos and Eureka lemons useful?
Tangelos combine the sweetness of mandarins with the tannins of grapefruit. That's one reason my family has grown Minneola tangelos in Redlands Heights since the variety was released in the 1930s. Eureka lemons are used widely in cooking because of their high juice content, fragrant oils and balanced acidity.
Where did California's citrus varieties come from?
California's citrus diversity rests on a long history of experimentation and on the work of immigrant growers and laborers, with introductions from the Mediterranean, Asia and Australia.
- Satsuma mandarins are one of many lasting contributions Japanese immigrants made to California farming.
- Eureka lemons came with Sicilian immigrants in the Gold Rush era, and the name is said to come from their resemblance to gold nuggets. Sicilian immigrants also brought lemons to other places, such as the Creole country of southern Louisiana.
- Lisbon lemons are a contribution of Portuguese and Azorean immigrants.
Public institutions and private growers have both developed and spread these varieties, usually selecting for flavor, color and fit with local conditions. UC Riverside's citrus program in particular has produced many varieties now common in grocery stores, the Pixie mandarin among them.
Is specialty citrus getting easier to find?
Yes. Specialty citrus keeps growing in availability and interest, from farmers markets to specialty foods like marmalade. These fruits offer alternatives to the standard varieties and show how varied citrus really is.
Taste California's citrus range
Specialty California citrus is the base of what we make, from Minneola tangelos grown in Redlands Heights to Eureka lemons and Satsuma mandarins.
- Minneola Tangelo Marmalade: 2 Bronze, 2026 World Marmalade Awards.
- Eureka Lemon Marmalade: 2 Bronze, 2026 World Marmalade Awards.
- Mandarin Marmalade: made mostly from Satsuma-type mandarins.
Shop all California citrus marmalades
Frequently asked questions
What is a tangelo?
A tangelo is a hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit. It combines the sweetness of a mandarin with the tannins of grapefruit.
Are finger limes resistant to citrus greening?
Finger limes show relative resistance to the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect that spreads citrus greening (HLB). No citrus variety is fully immune.
When were Minneola tangelos introduced?
The Minneola tangelo was released in the 1930s, and the Beall family has grown it in Redlands Heights since then.
