Navel Oranges from Florida
People have been planting citrus fruits in Florida long before it became a US state. Oranges, lemons, and limes were cultivated outside of Saint Augustine in the early 16th century. By the time it had become a state in 1845, Florida was awash in oranges.
Over seventy percent of all US oranges are grown in the Sunshine State. After tourism (Disney World!), agriculture is the largest industry. And the largest sector of that industry is devoted to citrus fruit production. Commercial growers in Florida cultivate oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons and limes. Oranges account for about eighty percent of the total citrus crop.
Though the state is famous for its oranges, it is actually orange juice that is its main agriculture export. About ninety-five percent of the oranges that are grown in Florida are shipped directly to processing plants. Unfortunately, orange juice is not nearly as healthy as fresh oranges.
Don’t get us wrong, OJ is a salubrious alternative to soda. But it cannot possibly compare to fresh navel oranges. There are many reasons for this. But let us start with vitamin C.
Oranges are famous for this nutrient, but few people know why we actually need it. To begin with, vitamin C helps human beings synthesis collagen. A diet that includes no vitamin C is invariably fatal. That is why sailors during the 14th to 19th centuries contracted scurvy.
One common misconception about orange juice is that it contains the same amount of vitamin C as fresh navel oranges. This is simply not true. The famous nutrient does have a shelf life and typically loses most of its potency after about a week. Experts estimate that the average store bought carton of fresh OJ has only about half of the stated vitamin C.
What does this mean? In addition to synthesizing collagen, vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant. An antioxidant is a helpful little molecule that fights off inimical free radicals, which can damage healthy cells. Free radicals may increase the risk of cancer and heart disease, according to many medical professionals.
Last but not least, orange juice does not contain any dietary fiber. But fresh navel oranges are a good source of fiber. Each orange contains about fifteen percent of the recommended daily dosage of dietary fiber, which makes it one of the most fiber rich fruits.
We should also mention that fresh navel oranges have only about half the calories of a glass of “fresh” orange juice. Again, this doesn’t make orange juice bad for you. It is still a good source of vitamin C. But if you are using fruit juice in place of fresh fruit, you are doing your family a great disservice.
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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