Perfect Eating Oranges
These oranges are large and thick skinned and easily identified by the “belly-button” scar located at the apex of the fruit. The ‘belly button” is as a result of the growth of a second fruit which protrudes slightly and resembles a human navel.
Navels are seedless, easy to peel, are easily segmented, and have a sweet-tart flavour with less juice, compared to Valencia. These characteristics make them perfect for eating.
They can also be used for juice but should be squeezed as needed because the juice turns bitter over time, even when refrigerated. The slight bitterness results from high concentration of limonin and other limonoids.
What is Limonin?
Limonin is a natural compound and powerful antioxidant found in citrus fruits. But when limonin is exposed to air, it converts the enzymes and becomes very bitter — and the juice sours.
In navel oranges, limonin is found in the flesh, so when you juice it, that chemical goes to work within 30 minutes. In the Valencia, limonin resides in the seeds, so the juice stays fresher and sweeter much longer.
Nutrition
Navel oranges are somewhat higher in vitamin C than Valencias. 100g serving of California Navel oranges provides 95% of the RDA for vitamin C versus 82% for valencia.
The navel orange is a result of a single mutation, which left the fruit seedless, and sterile, it is therefore propagated through cutting and grafting. The fruits have the same genetic makeup as the original tree and are therefore clones.
California navels are somewhat more flavourful than those grown in Florida.
They are widely distributed and have a long growing season and are therefore very popular
Season: November to April in the USA
Thanks for giving a very loud shout to my post. Have a very pleasant weekend.
Liz
This is my favorite food! Can’t wait until they are in season again.
I see them all the year round.They have lots of juice
Liz
These pics are sooo colorful! Enjoying our oranges juiced, and with candied peels – season is almost over….
I mostly eat them. They are nice!
Liz
Good article about navel oranges. That is weird that I never looked at the “naval” part to see why they were named that! One of my favourite jams is orange jam, not marmalade! I got hooked on it in Portugal. Mind you I suspect that jam was made from Savilles. I’m so glad to hear the nice weather has arrived for you, we here on this coast are still waiting, even to have two sunny days in a row would be heaven! Best to you Liz!
I love the European orange marmalade. So good with a tinge of bitterness. I don’t like the North American one, too sweet for my palate. I am trying to catch up on many of my half-done posts. Have a lovely weekend!
Liz