Summer is the perfect season to bring citrus into everyday life. Fresh, versatile, and naturally refreshing, citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, mandarins, and grapefruits can be used in simple ways that support healthier choices, reduce food waste, and make the most of Mediterranean produce.

1. Add citrus slices to your water
One of the easiest ways to stay refreshed during summer is by adding slices of lemon, orange, or grapefruit to water.

2. Use citrus zest before throwing away the peel
Before discarding citrus peels, grate the outer layer and use the zest in salads, marinades, cakes,
dressings, or yoghurt.

3. Prepare fresh citrus dressings
Lemon or orange juice can be mixed with olive oil, herbs, garlic, or mustard to create simple summer dressings. These work well with salads, grilled vegetables, fish, or chicken.

4. Freeze citrus juice into ice cubes
Squeeze leftover lemons or oranges and freeze the juice in ice cube trays. These cubes can later be added to water, iced tea, smoothies, or cooking recipes.

5. Make citrus-based snacks and desserts
Citrus can be used to prepare light summer snacks, from orange slices with cinnamon to lemon yoghurt bowls, citrus fruit salads, or homemade sorbets.

This article is a part series of the EXCEL4MED project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, which aims to boost innovation in the agri-food sector across Malta, Greece, and France. With its website now fully available in French, Italian, Spanish, and English, more stakeholders, including researchers,producers, policymakers, and consumers, can engage with the project in the language they feel most comfortable with. Read more on: https://excel4med.eu/.

Koperattivi Malta is proud to support this initiative in collaboration with
@EXCEL4MED @MaltaFoodAgency @MaltaEnterprise @TheMaltaChamber @UniversityofMalta
@SmartAgroHub