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Deep into winter as we are, it’s time to get your Vitamin C on. How to choose which kind of orange to stock up on? Here’s a brief guide to the major types you’ll see at the store.
Navel
The “navel” of these sweet, thick-skinned oranges is an inverted bump that remains on the blossom end of the fruit. It’s actually a mutation dating back to the 1820s that results in a tiny, second fruit (a “conjoined twin”) developing at that end. Navel oranges mostly come from California.
Valencia
These thinner-skinned oranges are generally
associated with Florida. Valencias are sweet fruits that boast a later, longer growing season
than navel oranges, so they’re often used for juice when other citrus is
not available.
Blood
Blood oranges get their signature scarlet tinge from a
pigment called anthocyanin, which is a healthful antioxidant also found in some deep-red apples. Blood oranges are often used in savory dishes, like salads or
with grilled fish or meats, in addition to cocktails, sorbets, and
other sweets.
Cara Cara
Cara Cara oranges are a type of navel orange, but with a slightly more tart flavor than a standard navel. Their color is also more on the pinkish end of the spectrum, almost looking like a grapefruit. Cara Cara oranges are lower in acid than other oranges, so they’re a good choice for those with acid sensitivities.
Tangelo
This small, sweet fruit is a hybrid between a tangerine (which is the same thing as a mandarin orange, by the way) and a grapefruit. Like their cousins tangerines and clementines, tangelos are wonderful out-of-hand fruits, as they’re sweet, delicious, and easy to peel.
So, tell: how do you orange? What’s your favorite variety? Are you a zester, a squeezer, a pulper, a slicer, or a segmenter?
posted February 9, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Here in the land of oranges, we like our HoneyBelles. They are sweet and incredibly juicy – but available for only a short while in a small area. Also, I have been taught that it is better to eat an orange than to squeeze it – there are health benefits in the pulp (true with most fruits and berries). With that in mind, I prefer juice with pulp than without. Like eating corn fresh from the stalk, nothing is quite so good as fruit just picked from the tree.
posted February 9, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I don’t know how they make navel oranges – no pits, you know! But I LOVE THEM and I am soooo excited that it is orange season. I’m just a plain lover, eat ‘em … savor them … YUM ‘em up type!
Love your blog! Congrats.
posted February 10, 2009 at 9:39 am
I may appear bias considering I am an importer and manufacturer of blood orange juice from Sicily.There is a major difference between the oranges commonly found in California or Texas to those of Sicilian heritage. The blood orange juice we bottle is composed of three different species, maro, tarocco and sanguinello. each of these contributes there own unique balance to the finished product. Hey I love all types or oranges and happen to be eating them for my breakfast. Eat and drink to your health.
“Cent anni”
posted February 10, 2009 at 2:44 pm
You’re so right Janice, I hadn’t thought about the seed factor, which can be a big issue in the tangerine-clementine family. But hey, they’re still fun to eat, and the seeds can be fun to spit!
Alfredo, you make me want to visit Sicily immediately to try blood oranges from the source!
Jestryfl – HoneyBelles, what a lovely name!
posted February 15, 2009 at 5:27 am
I like all oranges, but I really love our Texas Valley Oranges. Cut a hole in one end and work the knife around in the fruit. Then suck the juice out of the hole. When you get thru, peel the orange and eat the lovely fruit. Do this with about 6 oranges every day, and you shouldn’t catch a cold. I also eat 1 very large, fresh jalapeno pepper (deseeded with that white stuff cut out). Don’t worry, you will acquire a taste for hot things. Did you know that jalapeno peppers are a natural antihistimene! While you are eating them, your nose will run but you should never have a cold again the rest of your life! Try it…I think you will find that I am not fibbing. Now, it could be that I have had all strains of the 90 colds (I am 63 and when I was a child, I was always very sickley, and they almost lost me to flu)
posted February 15, 2009 at 7:14 am
I take warfarin and should I eat clementines Thank you so much. Jim jpmj1945@charter.net
posted February 15, 2009 at 8:59 am
I love Navel Oranges, just wish they were not so expensive here in Alaska, i got 2 of them the other day and they cost me almost $3.00
posted February 15, 2009 at 9:22 am
Do oranges interfer with colestoral meds like grapefruits do??
posted February 15, 2009 at 11:02 am
In response to Ron and Jim Stevens, I would ask my doctor if I were you. I am a Warfarin and Lipitor taker, and nobody has suggested I not eat oranges. There are extensive resources on the Web about interactions between grapefruit and lipitor and its relatives.
posted February 15, 2009 at 11:29 am
I love oranges but I like the first one Naval orange the best. When I was a kid I use to take a regular orange and punch a hole in top as the lady from Texas did and that is the best eating and drinking of the juice. Since I am unable to get to the stores my husband does the shopping at the present time he is not able to find the regualar oranges so I have had a variety of all. I do not like tart ones but I can deal with rest. I told him just to stick with the naval orange as he does not eat them so he is not real familiar with the diffent types.
posted February 15, 2009 at 3:18 pm
take whatever fresh orange juice you make and add a third of an avocado to it in a blender. Also add a tablespoon of flaxseeds. the avocados’ fat helps time release the sugars in the orange juice so it becomes more like a meal than a snack. The flaxseeds give the omega oils your body needs.
posted February 15, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I love when my hubby picks the oranges and clementines from our trees and we eat them just picked…So sweet and healthy feeling..We bought this property 8 months ago,,mainly because of the 9 mature fruit trees..
MAJOR MAN—–Thank you for the tip of adding avocado and flax seeds.
posted February 15, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I take warfarin and lipitor daily and I eat one orange each morning. I like navel oranges but sometimes they are not available at the store where I shop so I substitute other oranges. I drill a hole in the orange so I can squeeze and suck the juice from the orange and when the skin finally breaks I eat all the interior pulp. I follow this ritual each morning with my mixture of oat meal, walnuts, raisens,a chopped banana all mixed with water and then microwaved for two minutes.
posted February 17, 2009 at 12:32 am
Thank you, major man, for your meal suggestion; that sounds great and healthy. And, Mr. Stephens Sr., since I was a child I’ve never liked oat meal but I’m going to give it a try again, thanks to you. It sounds much better with all of those things in it. Maybe, at 57 I will be able to get it down with a smile. I know that it’s a good thing for you.
My best to you both!!!
posted February 18, 2009 at 11:23 am
Excellent article, but I noticed that you did not mention
International Scurvy Awareness Day, which is coming up on May 2nd!
They have an anti-scurvy campaign website at http://www.LimeStrong.com