Fun Facts About The Florida Orange
The orange crop in Florida plays a huge role in the financial well being of the state and its citizens. But one wonders how many Floridians know the basic facts about this fabulous fruit that brings them fame and fortune.
Most accounts say that Florida owes its orange growing tradition to the Spanish. Well actually the first guy was an Italian sailing for the Queen of Spain and his name was Columbus. Christopher delivered a few seeds when he landed at Hispaniola which today we call Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
About a eighty years later in 1565, the Spanish decided to introduce oranges to their settlement at St. Augustine and four years after that there were acres and acres of orange groves filling the countryside. Oranges were loved by the locals and considered excellent portable food ideally suited for hunting trips. The rest as they say is history.
One of the reasons that oranges thrive in Florida is the state’s geography. Located in the south, the state which is actually a large peninsula is swept by warm moist winds, particularly the central and southern portions, which are ideal for growing the fruit. However these same winds and moderate temperatures do have a downside.
New immature oranges are green. In order to turn orange there has to be a significant difference in temperature between daytime and nighttime and that just doesn’t happen in Florida. As a result, the Floridian oranges have a greenish tint to their peel. This doesn’t mean that they are any less delicious or nutritious than “orange colored” oranges, it simply means that they are not as attractive. That may account for the fact that 90% of all Florida oranges are processed as orange juice.
“A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.” That old tag line for OJ commercials is still remembered fondly by the millions who grew up being told how healthy orange juice is. And that fact remains; it is jammed packed with good stuff.
Oranges are loaded with beta-carotenes, calcium, magnesium, and thiamin and of course 250% of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin C. Eating oranges has been recommended for everything from preventing cancer to strengthening bones and teeth to curing hangovers.
Oranges are as versatile as they are healthy. Florida oranges are used to make marmalades, candied fruit, cleaning products, essential oils, snail repellant, food flavoring and orange zest to put a little zing in your baking. Toss some oranges in some brandy and let it sit and you have an orange liqueur.
So the next time you pick up a fresh orange, give a some thought to what an amazing little piece of fruit it actually is.
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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