Sevilla is blooming, but why are there so many orange trees in the city?
One of the best times to enjoy our city is, without a doubt, in spring. Sevilla undergoes a metamorphosis during the months of March and April to become an aromatic city, with its plants and trees more alive than at any other time of the year.
One of the trees that surprises visitors the most with its aroma, color and quantity is the orange tree, the main character in the capital of Sevilla. Sevilla is the city with the largest number of orange trees in the world. However, although its fruits are very appetizing, this kind of orange tree that populates our city is bitter (Citrus aurantium), so trying to taste their oranges is not a really good idea.
An orange blossom city
From the Cathedral to the Macarena, Sevilla is covered with this type of trees, which during the spring impregnate the city with its characteristic scent of orange blossom. This clear predilection of Sevilla for the orange tree makes people ask the next question: Why are there so many orange trees in the city?
Orange trees have been an integral part of Sevillian culture for centuries. Their presence in the city has deep historical roots dating back to the time of the voyages of Genoese sailors and the Muslim domination of the Iberian Peninsula. During the 11th century these sailors spread the idea that the orange tree was associated with happiness, so many Sevillians began to plant them in their courtyards and streets.
Later the Muslims maintained this tradition, but expanded their planting for two different reasons. On one hand, they wanted to make the city even more beautiful and, on the other hand, the planting of orange trees contributed to their goal of making Sevilla the world capital of perfumery, since the orange tree is used to make perfumes and oils, among other things. And this Arab influence goes even further since it is manifested for example in the language, as the word azahar (orange blossom in Spanish), comes from the Arabic word zahr, which means flower.
The last boost to this plant was given by the Scottish sailors who, during their exploration campaigns to Africa, used oranges from Sevilla to make marmalade and fight against scurvy during their long journeys, as this fruit is rich in vitamin C.
A curious tradition
Currently, orange trees are mainly used for decorative purposes. However, oranges from the Alcázar are still used today to make marmalade and fulfill quite a curious tradition. A tradition that dates back to the 20th century when the British royal house discovered the excellence characteristics of Sevillian oranges for the production of bitter orange marmalade (a very popular jam in the country). And nowadays this tradition has become a symbolic act between Sevilla (by delivering the oranges) and the United Kingdom (which is responsible for making the delicious marmalade).
So, whether to enjoy the aroma of orange blossom or to taste a delicious marmalade made with bitter orange, Sevilla is the perfect city to be this spring.
