Navel Oranges are Part of Christmas
Did you buy your navel oranges yet for the holidays? If not, what are you waiting for? Navel oranges are as much a part of Christmas as a Christmas tree, bells, and presents. In fact citrus fruits have always been associated with Christmas. Navel oranges are very popular today but throughout history oranges have been a part of Christmas celebrations. Today millions of people give fruit baskets containing navel oranges to their loved ones every Christmas and stuff their Christmas stockings with navel oranges because navel oranges are such a Christmas tradition.
Thousands of years ago in Europe during the Middle Ages there was no refrigeration and it was very difficult to store food. Most people ate only seasonal food because it was difficult to preserve food for a long time. That meant that during the winter they had no fresh fruit and very few fresh vegetables. They ate only bread or meat that had been preserved. Because the people didn’t eat fresh food for months during the winter season often they would get sick with colds and other illnesses. They also would get scurvy, which is a disease that can affect the gums, because they didn’t get any Vitamin C. Merchant ships would make trips to India and China and bring back oranges and fresh fruit, but because it was so dangerous and difficult to bring those shipments to Europe the fruit was very expensive. Average people would save up all year to be able to afford just an orange or two. Those oranges were given as Christmas gifts because they were expensive and rare and were as popular then as an expensive TV or computer would be today. Kids would wake up on Christmas morning to find an orange in their Christmas stockings or tucked into their shoes left by the fire and they would be as excited as kids today would be to get an expensive video game console.
Navel oranges are available all winter long and people have easy access to fresh fruit and don’t get scurvy or illnesses like that anymore but oranges are still given at Christmas as a sign of love and affection. If you haven’t ordered your navel oranges for Christmas yet you should order soon and keep plenty in the pantry during the holiday season. This year place a bowl of navel oranges on the table or on the mantel and think about how many blessings you have in your life.
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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