According to dietitian Benjamin White, despite their acidic nature citrus fruits are actual an alkalizing agent on the body. “Citrus fruits like oranges have citric and ascorbic acids and taste sour, but they are actually alkaline-generating once they’ve been digested and absorbed. Citrus will grow in clay soil or in containers but will not tolerate salty coastal conditions ranges from slightly acidic 6.0 to alkaline 8.0.