Little Known Facts About Oranges
By Brandi thornsberry, published Jul 06, 2007
Ever look at an orange and wonder things about it. Where they came from, how they got there name? I always like to know things about the foods that I eat. Oranges are one of the most popular fruit and they are they make the most popular juice. There are many varieties of oranges to pick from. There are Navel, red navel, valencia, hamlin, pineapple, temple, moro and ambersweet. Navel oranges are the most popular to eat while Valencia oranges are often used to make orange juice. The bottom of a navel orange looks like a bellybutton or a navel which is where the name came from. The navel is a smaller fruit attached to the main orange. You can see this smaller fruit every time you peel and separate a navel orange. As the smaller part of the fruit grows the navel on the orange becomes bigger.Oranges are filled with disease phytochemicals. These substances , such as flavornoids, which are found in oranges, act as antioxidants and may protect against heart disease. Christopher Columbus was is thought to be the first person to bring orange seeds and seedlings to the new world on his second voyage in 1493In 1873 three navel orange trees were brought from Brazil and planted in Riverside, California. The trees started producing fruit in 1878. Today, one of the three original trees is still alive and producing fruit.Orange trees are evergreens, seldom exceeding 30 feet in height. The leaves are oval and glossy and the flowers are white and fragrant. Three essential oils are obtained from oranges: Oil of orange, obtained from the rind of the fruit and used principally as a flavoring agent. Oil of petitgrain, obtained from the leaves and twigs and used in perfumery. Oil of neroli, obtained from the blossoms and used in flavorings and perfumes. Oranges are rated #1 on nutrition among five popular fruits and are among the healthiest items in the produce section that provides valuable health benefits.In 1895 a freeze produced a major set back in production. But by 1910 crops in Florida had been reestablished.
Seven things to know about oranges
1 Oranges can be stored at cool room temperature for a day but should then be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
2 They are an excellent source of vitamin C and contain some vitamin A.
Once cut or squeezed, the vitamin C quickly begins to dissipate. After eight hours at room temperature or 24 hours in the refrigerator, there's a 20 per cent vitamin C loss.
Canned, bottled and frozen-concentrate orange juices have a greatly decreased vitamin C content.
3 Orange juice is not necessarily high on the nutritional scale. While it may contain vitamin C and potassium, it provides little more than a source of carbohydrates in the form of a natural sugar.
4 Orange juice will lose more vitamin C content when stored in an open container or one made of plastic with a lid. Always store it in a glass container with a screw cap.
5 A medium orange is packed with as much fibre as seven cups of cornflakes.
6 Oranges are high in antioxidants, which neutralise the effects of free radicals - groups of atoms that disrupt cell reproduction.
7 After chocolate and vanilla, orange is the world's favourite flavour.
