Use Florida Oranges Beyond Breakfast

Way back in the day during the Middle Ages, orange peels were actually more coveted then the orange itself. As a dried seasoning, the orange peel was used to spice up many a mutton chop. Flash ahead to the present day and you’ll find that many folks are discovering multiple ways to use Florida oranges beyond breakfast. Of course we should start every day with a glass of fresh Florida orange juice but after that the sky is the limit for how you can use your Florida oranges.

You can make your own orange zest with a couple of plump Florida oranges and a zester (naturally!). After grating the peel let it dry for 24 hours then you’ll be good to go to add orange zest into a lot of recipes or to just spice up chicken, beef and fish. We all know how sweet and tasty Florida oranges are but they can also be cooked up as a delightful candied dessert. All you need to do is boil down your Florida orange peels with some sugar until the peels become translucent. Let the peels dry or pop them into a dehydrator and voila, instant orange candy snack.

If you plan on going camping, make sure you take your saved up Florida orange peels with you. They make awesome kindling for fires. Florida orange peels burn slower than newspapers and will smell a lot better when burning.

We all know that peeling the skin of an orange releases a burst of sweet orange smells. Sadly, they don’t stick around as you quickly gobble up your favorite Florida orange. But you can recreate that fresh citrus smell anytime. Drop some orange peels into a simmering pot of water along with cinnamon sticks, lemon peels or anything else that tickles your fancy. You can also gather up dried orange peels into a small bag made of cheesecloth and hang it in your closet to beat back musty odors.

Everybody likes Florida oranges; everybody that is except bugs. You can blend up some orange peel and water to make your own ant repellent. Squirt the mixture around the doorways or other areas where ants are a problem and they’ll stay away. Believe it or not, you can also rub orange peels on your skin to keep mosquitos at bay. Releasing the citrus smell from oranges can also keep the flies away.
And if you want to keep the neighbor’s cat from turning your backyard into their own litter box, try sprinkling around a mash up of orange peels and coffee grounds. Cats don’t like citrus and the smell will drive them back into the alley! When you considered all the benefits you can get from Florida oranges you might just be buying double the amount the next time you head to the grocery. At the very least, hang on to those peels!

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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