Street Oranges

Here in Athens there are orange trees all over the place, you really can't walk a block without seeing one just growing in the middle of the sidewalk.  All of this citrus growing freely on public property made me wonder, can you eat them?

I did a little research and learned that it is completely legal to pick and eat any fruit that is growing on a tree on public grounds.  I also learned that most of the oranges are a breed of orange that tastes horrible (although apparently good for marmalade).  The other thing that kept coming up when I asked people about the oranges is questions about sanitation, I promptly ignored most of these.

I ignored them because I decided that since it was legal and all, I should try one out.  So one day walking home from a fun adventure, I picked what appeared to be a fairly clean looking orange from a high branch.

The first thing I noticed when I cut it open was the amazing smell, it had to be one of the best smelling oranges I've ever cut open.  However after looking at it I was a little nervous about this stunt.

I took one bite... let me re-phrase that, I sunk my teeth into the first bite, and I was blown away at how sour this orange was.  My lips hurt and remained numb for about 20 minutes or so and I didn't even get a full bit in.  I have never tasted anything this sour in my whole life, and that's saying a lot considering the number of Tear Jerkers I've consumed.

CC