Orange
A winter citrus; blood oranges arrive in January.
- Season: December, January, February, March, April
- Peak season: January, February
- Botanical family: Rutaceae
History
Native to southern China and South-East Asia, the sweet orange reached Europe in the 15th century thanks to Portuguese sailors. Long reserved for the elite, it was grown in orangeries, like the one at the Palace of Versailles, and given as a precious Christmas present.
Origin and growing regions
Oranges sold in France come mainly from Spain:
- Spain (Valencia, Andalusia)
- Italy (Sicily)
- Morocco
Benefits
The orange is a winter classic:
- Vitamin C: One orange covers a large share of daily needs.
- Flavonoids: Such as hesperidin, concentrated in the white pith.
- Moderate energy: About 47 kcal per 100 g.
- Fibre: The whole fruit is more filling than the juice.
Varieties
- Navel: Seedless, with a little “belly button”.
- Maltaise: Half-blood orange, very juicy.
- Blood orange: Red flesh, tastes of red berries.
- Valencia: Late, perfect for juice.
Zero waste
- Storing: Somewhere cool, in the open air: 2 weeks. In the fridge, up to 1 month.
- Freezing: As juice, zest or segments: up to 6 months.
- Nothing goes to waste: Zest can be grated and frozen for cakes. The peel can be candied. A soft orange makes good juice.