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National Vitamin C Day

Food · April 4

A food day about vitamin C, the nutrient also called ascorbic acid, and the bright fruits and vegetables that contain it.

National Vitamin C Day falls on Sunday, April 4, 2027. That is 159 days away.

Vitamin C is a nutrient found in many fruits and vegetables. Chemists call it ascorbic acid, and it dissolves in water. Humans cannot make it on their own, so it arrives by way of the kitchen.

Most people picture an orange first, and oranges do earn the reputation. The list is longer than the fruit bowl suggests, though. Red bell peppers, strawberries, kiwifruit, broccoli and grapefruit all carry it, along with lemons, limes and plenty of leafy greens. A plate built around the day tends to look like a paint box.

Marking it is mostly a matter of eating. Some people squeeze fresh juice in the morning. Others slice a kiwi with a spoon, toss raw peppers into a salad, or build a bowl of berries and citrus segments. Cooks like the sharp, bright flavor that lemon or lime adds to fish, beans and grains.

Heat and long storage can lower the amount of vitamin C in food, which is one reason raw fruit and quickly cooked vegetables get attention on this day. A crisp pepper eaten out of hand counts.

The humble lemon, sitting at the back of the refrigerator, is often the easiest place to start.

Ways to celebrate

• Try a fruit you rarely buy, like kiwifruit or a pink grapefruit.
• Squeeze fresh orange or lemon juice for breakfast.
• Add raw red bell pepper strips to lunch.
• Make a bowl of strawberries and citrus segments.
• Share a favorite lemon or lime recipe with a friend.

Dates

All national days on April 4

Also on April 4

• National Cordon Bleu Day
• 404 Day
• National Hug a Newsperson Day
• Tell a Lie Day
• National Walk Around Things Day

Categories: Food days