Fun Facts about Valencia Oranges
Nature saves the Best for Last
How did the Valencia orange get its name? It’s a story worth telling. In the 1870’s, a shipment of young citrus trees arrived at a grove owner’s orchard from a nursery in England- but the name of the trees wasn’t included in the shipment. The orange variety went nameless for years, until a visiting citrus grower from Spain ended the mystery when he saw them and remarked, “Aha! The late orange of Valencia.”
The “late” orange of Valencia, though it matures later than other oranges, remains in season for 3 months or longer, allowing you to enjoy it as late as July, after other oranges are gone.
This late season bonus for your taste buds produces more sweet, delicious juice, pound for pound, than any other variety, because Valencia oranges remain ripening on the tree 30% longer, soaking up our warm sunshine and nutrients. They’re wonderful for salads, garnishes, and pure eating enjoyment.
Valencias have the unique capably of holding today’s maturing oranges on the tree together with the new, small oranges which will become next season’s crop. “The older the violin, the sweeter the music”;and the later the orange, the sweeter and juicer it is, which describes the “late” Valencia orange.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Valencia is the most popular orange in the world. A 6 ounce glass provides more than 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin C, which is necessary to make collagen, which supports the structure of the ligaments, tendons and skin.
Orange juice is a source of potassium, which helps replace fluid loss, and is therefore a popular drink with athletes, for helping muscles work properly by maintaining the water balance in blood cells.
Folic acid is an important nutrient for expectant mothers, and it also sustains the nervous system.
Order an extra shipment of Valencias now to be enjoyed over the summer months.
This article provided by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious Florida fruit gifts, Honeybells, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Valencia Oranges, Tangerines and more! On the web at HaleGroves.com.
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