Florida Oranges Fun Facts

For many people the only orange to enjoy is a Florida orange. Orange enthusiasts can tell by the bright, bold colors and juicy tastes that they’re biting into Florida oranges. For the true Florida orange connoisseur, there are many types of the sweet tasting citrus to choose from. The Valencia and the Navel varieties are the most commonly grown types of Florida oranges. However, when it comes to eating, the Navel edges out the Valencia because it’s easy to peel and seedless.

The Navel orange gets its name because of the dimple on the bottom that looks like your garden variety bellybutton. There is actually a fruit inside the fruit of the Navel orange. When you peel away the sections, you’ll notice that smaller citrus growing inside the bigger fruit. And it’s all good to eat!
The heritage of Florida oranges can actually trace their ancestry back to 4,000 years ago and to Southeast Asia. It was then and there that the first appearance of oranges showed up in ancient scrolls and manuscripts. When the Spaniards explored Asia they brought the citrus back with them. They then took the orange trees down to Florida and they’ve been there ever since.

In terms of sales figures, oranges are the largest type of citrus grown in the world. Florida is one of the leading exporters of that fruit. Most people know that Florida oranges are an abundant source of Vitamin C but they also pack more fiber than many other fruits or veggies. And a class of Florida orange juice can deliver more calcium then a class of milk. That’s a fun fact to share with your friends!
When it comes to taste sensations, the flavor orange ranks third as the most popular flavor right behind vanilla and chocolate. Imagine dipping a Florida orange section into some delicious chocolate? You just can beat that combination!

The orange is not only a variety of fruit but it’s also a color. If you were to compare Florida oranges with oranges grown in other states, you might discover that sometimes the Florida oranges are actually a bit greener in color. This has nothing to do with how ripe they are but with the warm temperatures at night.
Oranges are only picked when they are ripe. Unlike lemons, oranges don’t grow any riper after being picked. If a Florida orange is allowed to stay on the tree after becoming ripe, it might actually “re-green” itself.

All it takes is a single seed from a Florida orange to grow a tree. In fact, one seed could actually yield several plant seedlings. That only proves that Florida oranges are just bursting with flavor and need to be shared.

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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