There are lots of reasons why I love winter, but up at the top of the list is citrus. Winter is when oranges are in season, and I love oranges. It’s also one of the reason I love living in the modern world–I can live in West Virginia and drink orange juice all year round, and get fresh oranges when it’s snowing outside.

I’m not sure about anywhere else, but the first seasonal citrus to his the shelves here are clementines. I can sit and eat clementines like they’re candy. In fact, one day over the holidays when my brother was here I think the two of us went through half a box in a single evening.

I started seeing Cara Cara oranges a week or two ago, but what I was really waiting for was Moro or blood oranges.

I actually hadn’t tried them until a couple years ago, and now I can’t wait until they’re in season. They’re tart, which is usually not my favorite, but there’s something about them I can’t resist.

Given a choice between the two, I prefer clementines, but blood oranges are usually on their way in as clementines are on their way out. Which probably keeps me from getting sick of clementines.

And that is why I love winter.

I recognize that local food movements and other such similar ideas are very good idea, for a number of reasons. And in the fall I do try to buy local produce when it’s available (Giant Eagle almost always has corn from Preston County.)

Yet I appreciate the fact that I can go to the grocery store and get foods from all over–especially ones that aren’t in season right now, or that don’t grow locally. I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with ramps and paw-paw, but variety is good.

Especially the variety of citrus fruits available at this time of year. Besides snow, one of the other reasons I love winter is because that’s when citrus fruits are their best. Navel oranges and blood oranges and lemons–this time of year almost makes me wish I liked grapefruit.

Went to the grocery store today and came back today with a box of clementines. I’ve already eaten two, and they were wonderful. Say what you like about the modern would, but I wouldn’t want to give up oranges and clementines and all the other fruits and spices that would never grow here.

And now I think I’ll go have another clementine. Because despite everything, they’re only here in the winter, so I should enjoy them while I can.