Orange is a fruit that is also known as orange. It belongs to the genus of citrus plants and originates from China.
This is what you should know about the orange
The orange is a fruit that is also known by the name orange. It belongs to the genus of citrus plants and originated in China. Orange trees are small or medium-sized and bear green leaves at all times of the year. They belong to the evergreen trees and can grow up to ten meters tall. The tree crowns are round and regularly branched. The young branches can be covered with long thorns. However, these are rather blunt. The branches have alternate and spirally arranged leaves. The leaf blade is clearly separated from the leaf stalk. It is dark green and has a leathery consistency. The leaves run oval and taper to the end. The fragrant flowers of orange stand together in racemose inflorescences. They are white in color. In Europe, the orange blooms from February to June. In China, the flowering period is from April to May. Without cross-pollination, the orange tree develops fruit. The ripe fruits are orange in color. Just below the orange skin sits a white skin. The fruit is divided into individual sediments separated by thin white skins. The white skin of the peel and the skins of the individual sediments are fused together. The orange is therefore rather difficult to peel. When peeled, a pleasant orange fragrance is released. This is due to the oil glands located in the peel. They contain the aromatic essential oil of the orange. Originally, the orange comes from China. It originated there from a cross between grapefruit and tangerine. Grapefruit and tangerine gave rise not only to sweet oranges, but also to bitter oranges. The bitter orange reached Europe as early as the 11th century. It was cultivated in Italy mainly for its essential oil, neroli oil. Sweet oranges were not brought to Europe until the 15th century. For a long time, they were grown there exclusively in Portugal. Today, oranges are grown all over the world. The largest producers are Brazil, the USA, China and India. In Europe, the harvest takes place in the months of August, September and October. Many different varieties of oranges are harvested. Oranges can be divided into bitter oranges, blond oranges, navel oranges and blood oranges. Acid-free oranges represent another variety.
Importance for health
Oranges not only convince with their sweet-fruity taste, they also have many valuable ingredients. Oranges are known for their high vitamin C content. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It protects the cells of the body from the harmful influence of free radicals. Vitamin C also activates an enzyme in the liver that supports the organ’s important excretory and detoxification function. Vitamin C also keeps blood vessels healthy. It protects the body’s arteries from calcification and can therefore prevent cardiovascular disease. However, vitamin C is not the only antioxidant in the orange. Oranges contain various secondary plant compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. They strengthen the immune system so that the body can more quickly render viruses and bacteria harmless. The contained vitamins of the B group protect the nervous system and are needed for the production of serotonin. Serotonin is the happiness hormone. So in a way, oranges can also make you happy. In aromatherapy, the essential oil of the orange is also used. It is extracted from the peels and has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, circulatory, decongestant and lymph flow stimulating effects. Due to these multiple effects, it is used to treat lymphatic congestion, colds, cellulite, bladder infections or depressive moods.
Ingredients and nutritional values
In 100 grams of oranges are 50 milligrams of vitamin C. Thus, the daily requirement of vitamin C can already be covered with just under 150 grams of oranges. Oranges also contain vitamin B1, vitamin B2, nicotinamide and some minerals such as iron or phosphorus. The healthy fruit is quite low in calories due to its high water content. 100 grams of orange pulp contain only 47 calories. Thus, an orange has an average of 68 calories.
Intolerances and allergies
In some people, citrus fruits can cause allergic reactions.However, food allergies to oranges are relatively rare. In most cases, an allergy to oranges leads to oral allergy syndrome. This is manifested by a furry feeling on the tongue, swelling of the lips or blister formation on the skin and mucous membrane. The allergic symptoms do not have to appear immediately. Sometimes a reaction does not show up until one to two days after eating the fruit. However, similar symptoms can also be triggered by fructose intolerance. Frequently, intolerances are not directed against the ingredients of the citrus fruits at all, but against the preservatives and pesticides with which the peels of the fruits are treated. Except in organic farming, oranges are usually treated with thiabendazole, orthophenylphenol or with imazalil.
Shopping and kitchen tips
When purchasing oranges, care should be taken to ensure that the peel of the orange is a rich orange color. A pale peel may indicate that the fruit is not yet ripe. Ripe and fresh oranges smell aromatically fruity. Musty or moldy odor is a sign of mold. The freshness of oranges can also be tested by pressure. A ripe orange feels firm but not too hard. The peel should give slightly when pressed. An orange that is too soft is usually older. If the peel does not give at all when pressed, the orange is probably already dried out. When buying oranges, the size of the fruit should also be taken into account. The small and medium-sized fruits taste the sweetest and most aromatic. The large oranges also have a thicker skin. So, the smaller oranges have more flesh in proportion. The heavier a fruit is, the higher the juice content. Heavy fruit should therefore be preferred when buying. In order for oranges to keep as long as possible and not lose flavor during storage, they should be stored in a cool place. The optimum temperature is between 5 and 8 °C. The cellar or the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator is well suited. If the oranges are stored in the cellar, care should be taken that there are no potatoes nearby. The oranges can take on the rather musty aroma of the potatoes. Storage should also be dry. Molds develop quickly as a result of moisture. Condensation in the refrigerator should be intercepted. At best, the fruits are wrapped in a kitchen towel.
Preparation tips
The aromatic and pleasantly sweet flesh of the orange goes well with many dishes. The orange can refine salads and combine well with other fruits, meat, fish or vegetables. Dips and sauces can also be prepared well with the fruit. Oranges go well with both hearty main dishes and sweet desserts. Of course, the fruit can also be eaten plain. Moreover, the vitamin-rich orange juice can be obtained from the juice oranges.
