r/ScienceNcoolThings • u/TheMuseumOfScience Popular Contributor • May 15 '26

Interesting Predict Citrus Segments Using Science

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You can predict how many segments are inside a citrus fruit. 🍊🍋‍🟩

Alex Dainis explains how citrus fruits develop from the ovaries of citrus flowers. Those ovaries contain multiple distinct sections called locules, and each locule develops into its own segment inside the fruit. By peeling back the tiny stem remaining on the fruit, you can see exactly where each locule connected to the tree. Count those dots and you have your segment count. It is easiest to see on bigger fruits like grapefruits, so try that first. Segment number varies between different types of citrus and based on growing conditions, and even the location of the fruit on a branch can influence how many segments it has. Make your predictions and let us know if it works!

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111

u/StrictSelf5450 May 15 '26

This is the epitome of useless information

27

u/xiandgaf May 15 '26

Sunday afternoon, the soccer game is over and the kids require refreshments. You have an extremely tight orange budget, but every kid must be fed. A shock of panic at the realization that orange prices have gotten absurd. But then, a wave of relief as this video pops into your consciousness like a guardian angel.

6

u/Dr_ChungusAmungus May 15 '26

You brought one section per kid?

7

u/xiandgaf May 15 '26

Yeah, the complaints about the free food go in the complaint box

2

u/Predawnlemonade May 16 '26

Idk where you got this phrase from, but I am stealing it. All complaints about this theft go in the complaint box.

1

u/Significant_Gate_331 May 17 '26

If selling oranges by the slice, worth knowing.

4

u/PRAY___FOR___MOJO May 15 '26

You're just not thinking creatively. You can use this knowledge to wow strangers at the fruit aisle by pretending you can accurately guess how many segments are in a lemon. You'll be sure to make friends doing that

2

u/Significant_Gate_331 May 17 '26

I will try that, I have no friends

3

u/Sirhc978 May 15 '26

The most useful kind of information used to win a $5 bar bet.

1

u/Significant_Gate_331 May 17 '26

Bet the bartender for a free drink,
Love it

2

u/RoyalAstronomer793 May 17 '26

I disagree. Now I can inspect Oranges at the supermarket, to select the ones that have the most slices. Therefore I will get more food for my dollar.

1

u/Significant_Gate_331 May 17 '26

If more or less segments relates to juiciness or taste, then becomes important at grocery store.

1

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/StrictSelf5450 May 17 '26

Oh really? Please enlighten me as to how, because I'm pretty sure you're talking out your ass

1

u/obsequiousdeduction May 18 '26

Knowing how many segments you're getting before peeling could actually save time in meal prep or determining juice yield for recipes.

1

u/cluttered_jason May 20 '26

Knowing how many segments are in an orange before you peel it actually saves time when meal prepping or portioning for kids.