Distinguishing Characteristics of Florida Navel Oranges

Different seasons bring numerous good tidings, of which, the availability of varying cultivars of oranges is one. If you are a fan of citrus oranges it is good to know which variety is available in which season – not all of them are available year-round – to ensure that you get to eat your favorite orange while it is available.

Different Orange Cultivars

Summer is mostly thought of as the season for oranges, because of the refreshing and thirst-quenching Oranges Valencia, but to be honest most orange cultivars are in season during colder months.

• Blood Oranges are crimson-to-maroon-fleshed oranges that boast of a unique flavor that hints of raspberries. You can easily pick out Blood Oranges from other cultivars by the red blush that is splashed all over the orange peel. This cultivar is in season from December to April.
• Navel Oranges are named thus because of the bellybutton-like formation found opposite the stem end. This formation is an undeveloped twin fruit inside the main fruit. The seedless Naval Oranges are mostly prized for their mild and sweet flavor that lacks the acidity you will find in most oranges. What’s more, they have more juice than pulp making them a wonderful snacking fruit and juicing orange at the same time. The popular sweet winter Florida oranges are in season from October through February.
• Cara Cara Oranges are mutated Navel Oranges with pink-colored flesh known for their extremely sweet flavor. Just like other Navels, Cara Cara Oranges are seedless, have easy to peel skin, and are in season in winter (December to April). Another notable characteristic of Cara Oranges is its vitamin C content which can provide you with 100% of the recommended daily intake in just one orange.
• Honeybell Oranges are hybrids of Tangerine and Grapefruit giving them a rich flavor and a unique blend of sweetness and tanginess. Honeybells Oranges are also more juice than pulp that you can make a glass of juice with just a single fruit so be prepared for the juices when snacking on one. Honey bell Oranges may also be used for cooking, tossed in a salad, made into marmalade, and used to bake cakes and pastries. This fruit has limited seasonal availability from late December to January and is hard to come by due to small crop size. Make sure to order Honeybell Orange boxes once they are available to make sure you enjoy them before they run out.
• Clementine Oranges are another type of winter orange. The Clementine is a hybrid of Mandarin and Sweet Orange that has a smooth and glossy deep-orange peel. Clementines, or Tangerines as some call them, are smaller than your regular orange, terrifically sweet, and have easy to peel skin, making them a great snacking fruit for kids and adults alike.

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