LA BAHÍA DE LOS NARANJOS (THE BAY OF ORANGE TREES)

Many years have passed since in the area known as "Bassa del Rei," in Carcaixent, the priest Monzó, the pharmacist Bodí, and the scribe Maseres carried out the first plantation of orange trees for commercial purposes. Up until that moment, they were used to mark boundaries, as ornamental plants, or for uses related to medicine or aromatics (in fact, a species known as "Citrus medica Linn" with seeds found in the southern Babylonian ruins of Nippur is documented), and in most cases, they were sour oranges. This beginning, which may sound like an entertaining narrative, is not fiction; it is well-documented, which is why the town of these three daring friends welcomes visitors at its entrance as the "Cradle of the Orange." Carcaixent is just a few kilometers from the mouth of the Xúquer River, near Cullera (a toponym of Arabic origin, meaning "estuary").

It's worth noting that the endeavor of the priest, scribe, and pharmacist was a great success, and since that year, 1781, sweet orange groves began to paint the map of many Valencian regions with lush and vigorous greenery that, as the mild winter approached, basked in the Mediterranean sun while turning their fruits orange. The good fortune was so great that in economic publications, until almost the last third of the 20th century, it was referred to as the "orange petroleum of the Valencians."

Returning to the signs that greet visitors, where we harvest the oranges that we deliver to your home, Cullera was advertised as the "Bay of Oranges." In fact, there may still be a tennis tournament held under the name of the "Bay of Oranges Tournament." Indeed, the sea kissed the same sands that covered the mandarin orchards, forming a continuous line along our coastline that is now occupied by housing developments. Those mandarins became famous, as if they had a protected designation of origin. Their taste was a bit more acidic than today's, and you could feel the texture of their seeds, making their fresh texture even more noticeable. Their aroma was much more potent than that of today's mandarins. They were the mandarins of the "Racó de Cullera," and today, there are hardly any trees left. Today's mandarins are sweeter, have almost no seeds, are not grown in front-line orchards on sandy soil, and that might be why the scent is also different. However, our mandarins are still good. Actually, they are not just good; they are absolutely fantastic! They retain all their vitamin properties, all their delicacies, meaning they have an extraordinary taste, quality, and texture.

Since we have condensed a lot of information today for orange enthusiasts, we will continue with more on another day while our pickers check if the "Naranjas de Cullera" are at their optimal point for your enjoyment and health.

See you soon, friends.