Get More Florida Oranges in Your Diet

With all of the information floating around about what is good and bad for you and an increased focus on the daily diet of Americans, you have probably heard that eating fruits and veggies is good for you. Of course, many fruits are only available seasonally, which means that they can only be purchased for a few months or even weeks each year. So how do you know what you can or can not get at certain times of the year, and how do you keep your fruit consumption up during the cold winter months?

Even though Florida oranges are thought of as a refreshing summer fruit, the truth is that summer is the worst time to buy Florida oranges. Truth be told, the peak season for fresh Florida oranges is actually during some of the colder months of the year. This of course depends on where in the United States you live. Those in the eastern or northern states have far more cold months than those in the southern areas. In fact, in one of the better food ironies, the state where Florida oranges are grown has one of the hottest winters in the entire country, meaning that their most famous export is available almost only when it is hot.

So how do you use a citrus item during the winter, when brighter, lighter dishes that lend themselves to the taste of Florida oranges are scarce? One of the easiest ways is through the use of marinades and vinaigrettes. Even the heartiest cuts of beef can be livened up and lightened with a squeeze of citrus. You can squeeze some orange directly onto the steak, make a butter with Florida oranges in it to melt over the steak or simply use a marinade with plenty of Florida oranges in it. In fact, you can use more than just the juice of Florida oranges for a marinade. The zest of citrus is a great way to add citrus to a marinade or even a salad dressing. Simply grate the peel of Florida oranges using a fine zester or grater and add to your mixture. The peel is fully edible and gives a much stronger taste than juice alone, plus it won’t water down your marinade!

Of course, desserts are a great way to add citrus to your diet. Using peeled Florida oranges in fruit salads, jello molds or eating plain with sugar, honey or whipped cream are all easy ways to eat fruit in the winter. This also helps with your Vitamin C intake, which can help fend off colds and flu. This may be the best reason to eat citrus in the winter for many, but for others the light taste of summer is better than any cold remedy.

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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