- Oranges are the largest citrus fruit in the world. They can grow up to 4 inches in diameter and weigh up to 10 ounces.
- Orange juice is the most popular fruit juice in America. Americans drink about 1.6 gallons of orange juice per person per year.
- There are over 600 varieties of oranges. Some of the most common ones are sweet orange, mandarin orange, tangerine, blood orange, and navel orange.
- Oranges are a hybrid fruit of pomelo and mandarin. Their DNA is about 25% pomelo and 75% mandarin.
- Oranges originated in Southeast Asia. They were first grown in southern China and parts of India around 4000 B.C.
- Oranges have been famous since ancient times and are now found in all parts of the world. They were brought to Europe by traders and explorers, and then to the Americas by colonists and missionaries.
- Oranges grow on evergreen flowering trees. These trees have a lifespan of over 50 years and can produce up to 60,000 oranges in a year.
- Orange is just a modified berry. And just like other berries, oranges also have three fleshy layers with two or more seeds inside each segment.
- The orange skin is called “orange peel” or “zest”. It has a bitter taste and contains essential oils that are used for flavoring and aromatherapy.
- The white part of the orange peel is called “pith” or “albedo”. It has a spongy texture and contains fiber and vitamin C. It can be eaten or used for making marmalade.
- The height of an orange tree can range from 16 to 50 feet. Oranges can also grow on shrubs or dwarf trees that are easier to harvest.
- Oranges contain more vitamin C than any other fruit. Almost 88% of an orange is just vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for our body to grow, heal wounds, and fight infections.
- The ideal conditions for growing oranges are present in areas with reasonable amounts of sunshine but moderate temperatures. Oranges do not grow well in extreme cold or heat. They need plenty of water and well-drained soil.
- No other English word rhymes with orange. Well, not a well-known word anyway. There is a mountain range in Wales, Blorenge, that rhymes with orange!
- Brazil grows more oranges than anywhere else in the world. It produces as much as one-third of all oranges grown around the globe. China and the USA are the second and third largest producers respectively.
- The name of the fruit came before the name of the color. The word for orange made its way into the English language in the 1300s. However, the name for orange as a color didn’t appear in English until the 1500s.
- Not all oranges are orange. Often when oranges are grown near the tropics, they are green in color. This is because they do not lose their chlorophyll pigment due to warm temperatures. Green oranges are still ripe and delicious.
- The bigger the navel, the sweeter the orange. Navel oranges are named after their belly-button-like protrusion at one end. They are seedless and easy to peel. They are also sweeter than other varieties because they have more sugar and less acid.
- Oranges can prevent scurvy. Scurvy is a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. It can cause bleeding gums, tooth loss, joint pain, and fatigue. Sailors used to carry oranges on long voyages to prevent scurvy. That’s why British sailors were nicknamed “Limeys”.
- Oranges can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Oranges contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. They also contain hesperidin, a flavonoid that lowers cholesterol levels and reduces inflammation.
- Oranges can boost your immune system and protect you from infections. Oranges have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. They can help fight off colds, flu, sore throat, cough, and other respiratory problems.
- Oranges can improve your skin health and appearance. Oranges have antioxidants that protect your skin from free radical damage. They also have collagen, which keeps your skin firm and elastic. They can help prevent wrinkles, acne, dryness, and sunburns.
- Oranges can enhance your mood and cognitive function. Oranges have vitamin B6, which helps produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep. They also have folate, which helps prevent neural tube defects in babies. They can help improve memory.
- Oranges can aid digestion and prevent constipation. Oranges have fiber, which adds bulk to your stool and helps it move through your intestines. They also have water, which softens your stool and prevents dehydration. They can help relieve bloating, gas, cramps, and diarrhea.
- Oranges can prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Oranges have citric acid, which prevents calcium oxalate crystals from forming in your kidneys. They also have vitamin C, which makes your urine acidic and inhibits bacterial growth in your urinary tract. They can help flush out toxins and waste from your body.
- Oranges can reduce the risk of cancer. Oranges have phytochemicals that inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. They also have vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and prevents oxidative stress. They can help prevent cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, colon, and skin.
- Oranges can help you lose weight. Oranges are low in calories and high in fiber and water. They can fill you up and keep you hydrated. They can also boost your metabolism and burn fat. They can help you control your appetite and cravings.
- Oranges can prevent anemia. Anemia is a condition where you have low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin in your blood. It can cause weakness, fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath. Oranges have iron, which is essential for making red blood cells. They also have vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption in your body.
- Oranges can support bone health. Oranges have calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, which are important for building and maintaining strong bones. They also have vitamin K, which helps prevent bone loss and fractures. They can help prevent osteoporosis and arthritis.
- Oranges can improve your vision. Oranges have beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which is vital for eye health. They also have lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that protect your eyes from blue light damage and age-related macular degeneration. They can help prevent cataracts and glaucoma.
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