Who doesn’t love the zesty taste of an orange, especially that tantalizing burst of flavor when your teeth first sink in?
It’s almost like tasting sweet sunshine. And almost everyone knows how nutritious oranges are. What many people might not know is that oranges originated as a mutation, or clone, in Southeast Asia thousands of years ago and spread worldwide to include many different varieties. The citrus sinensis is the popular varietal known more commonly as the navel orange. From the outside, navel oranges appear to have what looks like a little human navel on its blossom end. Once you peel it open, you can see that inside the blossom end there is actually a “twin,” or an undeveloped second fruit.
Navel oranges are seedless. Every navel orange is the result of a clone created nearly 200 years ago from a plantation in Brazil that can only be grown through grafts and cutting into new trees.
Today navel oranges are considered a very important industry in the United States, with Florida, California and Arizona leading the way in their production. In fact, Florida navel oranges are considered to be the finest in the world. But in many areas of the United States navel oranges trees can be readily found in nurseries along with other varieties of citrus trees like
grapefruit and lemon, and you can actually grow your own navel oranges with an orchard in your own back yard.
While supply will depend on the region you live in, fresh navel oranges are available from winter through the late spring. Navel oranges are pebbly skinned with a deep orange color. When you buy them at the market, make sure the navel oranges you pick don’t have pitting or soft spots,` and that they are heavy for their size. Navel oranges are best eaten out of hand, rather than for juicing as the navel orange juice can quickly turn bitter. The thick skin of a navel orange makes it very easy to peel, and the taste is indescribably sweet, refreshing, and oh, so delicious.
For millions of people, the daily glass of orange juice in the morning is indispensable as a
major source of vitamin C, an antioxidant which boosts the immune system, helps heal wounds and prevent heart disease. Additionally, navel oranges are very high in fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps the digestive system running smoothly. Navel oranges are also a significant source of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which helps to prevent cell damage. But the value of navel oranges doesn’t just stop at eating the fruit. The aromatic flower and blossom from navel oranges can be used for a whole host of purposes, such as for fragrance in perfumes and aromatherapy. A byproduct of the navel orange peel is the orange oil which is used to flavor food and drink, such as marmalade and tea.
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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