Orange of the month – Navel orange

With this article, we're starting a series called "Orange of the Month," where we'll explain the different types of oranges, their benefits, history, and uses. This way, we hope you can get the most out of each fruit and fully enjoy its advantages.

Navel Oranges

The name of this orange comes from the English word "navel," referring to the belly button. This is because the main fruit contains a rudimentary, much smaller fruit, which can be observed when the orange is cut in half. The shape and size of this secondary fruit depend on climatic conditions and are never uniform or identical in all oranges. Navel oranges originated from a spontaneous mutation around 1820 in the area of present-day El Salvador. It first arrived on our continent in Portugal, brought from China and Brazil. Currently, they are cultivated primarily in China, Spain, Morocco, California, South Africa, and Turkey. In Venezuela and other South American countries, they are known as California oranges.

The Fruit

Navel oranges have a deep orange color. The peel, which varies in thickness, is easy to remove, and the orange has a sweet taste with a hint of acidity. This variety is more prone to yielding larger fruits with fewer seeds than other orange varieties. However, the trees are less vigorous and less productive, and they have more specific requirements in terms of climatic adaptation. For all the reasons above, we can conclude that these orange trees have a limited annual production. Uses and benefits: Navel oranges are among the favorites for breakfasts and desserts. They are often used in making orange marmalades and as an addition to fruit salads, but they are undoubtedly best known as juicing oranges. The juice of Navel oranges contains low levels of limonin – a very bitter compound that people can detect easily. We only need about 5 parts per million for the juice to taste bitter. It is recommended to mix Navel orange juice with juice from other orange varieties that are low in limonin, to get a sweet and pleasant drink. Other known uses include:

• Oils extracted from oranges are used to flavor foods and beverages and also in creating fragrances for perfumes and aromatherapy.
• The peels are used to repel slugs in gardening.
• Dried flowers are used for teas and desserts.

Nutritional Benefits

Navel oranges have a high amount of antioxidants and vitamin C, like most citrus fruits. Vitamin C is responsible for stimulating the immune system, preventing heart disease, and helping to absorb iron. The recommended daily amount of vitamin C can be ingested by drinking 2 glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice throughout the day. The fiber contained in these oranges stimulates intestinal tract movements and helps improve cholesterol levels. Beta-carotene helps prevent cell damage. In general, Navel oranges are known to decrease the risk of stomach and esophageal cancer.