"Originally from the Mediterranean and tropical regions, the fruit of Citrus sinensis is called 'sweet orange' to distinguish it from the 'bitter orange' (Citrus aurantium). The cradle of this orange tree is located between the Himalayas and southern China. It was the Portuguese who brought it back around the year 1400. Since then, its cultivation has spread considerably in several countries. 'a cross between Citrus maxima and Citrus reticulata.'