Very aromatic and slightly bitter, it is rarely used in cooking, but its history makes it highly symbolic. Residents associate it with their cultural heritage, almost as a living legacy, and its medicinal uses further enrich its cultural significance.

The giant grapefruit, locally called Pumali, is notable for its size, with two distinct varieties cultivated in the region. However, like the citron, it remains marginal in AlUla’s gastronomy.

Conversely, the small lime, locally called Benzir, is an integral part of local cuisine. Fresh, dried, or blackened, it enhances rice and fish dishes, making it a culinary staple.

Finally, Saudis display a marked preference for sweeter flavors, favoring varieties such as the sweet Navel orange, known locally as Aboussora, and a local mandarin called Usufi, which is particularly prized.

Our exploration revealed about twenty citrus varieties in the region, some of which have become emblematic local types: the AlUla citron, the giant grapefruit, the Mexican lime, the sweet orange, and the mandarin. These fruits hold significant agronomic and economic potential, although their cultivation, post-harvest management, and marketing would benefit from optimization to strengthen the sector’s profitability.

Among these varieties, the AlUla citron, a local hybrid called Torounge, stands out for its unique characteristics. A large fruit with thick albedo, it shares traits with its ancestor, the citron (Citrus medica), native to Southeast Asia and the first citrus fruit introduced to the Middle East.