{"id":1743,"date":"2023-02-28T22:21:50","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T21:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=1743"},"modified":"2023-02-28T22:21:50","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T21:21:50","slug":"did-the-ancient-romans-have-oranges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/did-the-ancient-romans-have-oranges\/","title":{"rendered":"Did the ancient romans have oranges?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ancient Romans did not have oranges. The citrus fruit we know as oranges today did not exist in the Mediterranean region until the late Middle Ages. However, the Romans did have a citrus fruit called the citron. Citrons were used primarily for their scent and were a popular ingredient in perfumes.<\/p>\n

Yes, the ancient Romans did have oranges. They were introduced to the Mediterranean region by the Arabs in the 10th century, and became widely cultivated in Europe in the following centuries.<\/p>\n

Did the Romans have citrus fruit? <\/h2>\n

Lemons were status symbols for the ancient Roman ruling elite, according to a study which found that they were the first fruits to arrive in the Mediterranean around the time of Jesus. The study found that until the first century AD, the only citrus produce available to ancient Romans were citrons and lemons from Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

The Roman love for fruit was well known, with apples, cherries, dates, plums, figs, grapes, peaches and pears being a common part of the Mediterranean food landscape. The Romans were particularly fond of cherries and grapes, using them to make wine, while the other fruits were often dried out to increase their storage life, making them a special treat for soldiers.<\/p>\n

What fruits did the Roman Empire have <\/h3>\n