Juicy Florida Oranges

The orange is one of the oldest and most popular fruits on earth. Historians trace its origins back to Southeast Asia more than 4000 years ago. It remained a local delicacy for thousands of years until it found its way to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe in the 8th century AD. One of the last stops on the orange’s international odyssey was the New World.

Spanish explorers brought it to Florida at the beginning of the 15th century. The orange flourished in its new home where growing conditions were among the best in the world. Allow us a moment to explain why Florida and the orange was a match made in fruit heaven.

Because it is a tropical fruit, the orange needs a tropical or subtropical climate to properly grow. Florida has more arable land with these climates than any other US state. It also has sandy soil and wetter weather than any of the other citrus-producing states. As a result, Florida oranges are typically 25 percent heavier (juicier) than other oranges.

Now, at the start of the new century the fact that Florida oranges were juicer didn’t mean much. Citrus fruits were rarely squeezed because home refrigeration was not available, and juices stored at room temperature only lasted a couple of days. Even so, there was a growing demand for Florida oranges.

One reason was the purported health benefits. For decades doctors had been exhorting patients to consume more citrus fruits because they were an excellent source of Vitamin C, which could prevent scurvy, a dreaded disease of that time.

As a result of refrigeration, pasteurization, and more affordable transportation costs, the orange industry in Florida experienced a period of rapid growth starting in the 1920s. It was during this time that the first orange juice processing plants were established in the Sunshine State. While some local growers were skeptical about demand for orange juice, there was no question it was a potentially profitable market.

For one thing, it was much cheaper to process and ship a carton of orange juice than it was to pack and ship a crate of Florida oranges. Not to mention the fact that a carton of orange juice was more expensive than a bag of oranges and this meant higher profit margins.

Over the next few decades, OJ became so popular in America that dozens of new processing plants sprung up across the state. Today, these facilities are responsible for processing about ninety percent of the orange juice in the US. Other citrus-producing states hardly even bother making orange juice because Florida dominates the market.

While infrastructure and efficient processes are imperative, at the end of the day the Sunshine State reigns supreme because they have better oranges for juicing. Remember, Florida oranges contain 25 percent more juice than other oranges. That’s quite an advantage.

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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