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PhrasesAt the MarketQuesti sono agrumi siciliani?
A2

Questi sono agrumi siciliani?

Are these Sicilian citrus fruits?

Pronunciation

KWE-sti SO-no a-GRU-mi si-chi-LYA-ni

When to use it

Checking the provenance of citrus fruit at a market stall — Sicily is Italy's premier citrus region.

What it means

Sicily produces Italy's finest citrus: arancia rossa di Sicilia IGP (blood oranges), limone di Siracusa IGP, mandarino di Ciaculli, and cedro. The volcanic soil and Mediterranean climate give Sicilian citrus an intensity of flavour and colour unmatched by northern grown fruit.

Variations

Sono arance rosse di Sicilia?

Are these Sicilian blood oranges?

Asking about the IGP blood orange varieties — Moro, Tarocco, Sanguinello

I limoni sono trattati?

Have the lemons been treated?

Asking about wax/pesticide coating — important if using zest

Ha cedri?

Do you have citron?

Citron (cedro) is used in Italian confectionery and liqueur production

Mini Dialogue

— Questi sono agrumi siciliani? — Sì — arance Tarocco di Catania, le migliori per la spremuta. — Me ne dia due chili. — Eccole — dolcissime e senza semi.

— Are these Sicilian citrus fruits? — Yes — Tarocco oranges from Catania, the best for juice. — Give me two kilos. — Here they are — very sweet and seedless.

Cultural Note

Tarocco is Italy's most widely grown blood orange and is considered by many to have the finest flavour of the three IGP varieties. Its red pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, which develop in response to cold Sicilian winter nights on the slopes of Etna.