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This marvelous citrus is available winter through spring. It’s medium to large sized. The shape is slightly oval with a “navel” or circular hole on the blossom stem end (1).

The medium thick rind matures from green to bright orange and is smooth with a pebbled texture due to many oil glands found across the surface. The white pith has a spongy texture upon easily pealing. The pale yellow flesh is juicy, tender, and seedless (1).

Navel oranges are aromatic, sweet, and contain a low-acidity which produces a balanced level of sweet, tangy, and tart flavors (1).

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Provides Plenty of Nutrition: True

This “navel” orange has an abundance of beneficial qualities. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C, Dietary fiber, Thiamine and good source of Potassium, Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene, and Calcium (1). There are numerous sources on the web to obtain nutritional info. We suggest this website if you would like to learn more.

Culinary Speaking

Navels are best suited for both raw and cooked applications. The segments can be tossed into green salads, smoothies, garnished over cooked meats, or served over the morning grain bowls and yogurt (1).

The rind can be used to flavor baked goods such as cakes, crumbles, and pies. Zest to your hearts content. Flavor salts, sugars, syrups, curds, and dough (1).

We fully suggest roasting segments to create a sweet layer of caramelization (1). It’s simple and fancy. Serve as a dessert item by itself or garnish on top of ice cream, or ice cream alternative. To go the step further, roast some bananas too. Place both on top of your favorite brand of coconut ice cream. This recipe may help you get started.

This citrus may not be the best to juice for later. To obtain the optimal flavor it is recommended to drink soon after juicing. It contains an antioxidant know as Limonin which causes the juice to turn bitter or sour after about 30 minutes exposure to air (1).

The list of pairing potential is vast; Strawberries, bananas, coconut, pomegranate, honey, Greek yogurt, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, sesame seeds, cucumbers, snap peas, cabbage, cilantro, red bell pepper, and quinoa (1).

History Lesson

Navel oranges are native to Brazil. Seedlings were brought to Florida in the 1830s, and California in the early 1870s. In 1875 the orange tree began producing its fruit in the United States (1).

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Storage Methods

Properly storing oranges helps keep it fresher longer. Plus eating it at the height of potential is quite enjoyable. Navels will keep up to a week at room temp and up to two week when stored in the refrigerator (1).

Rainbow Valley Orchards

There are numerous citrus suppliers in California. Rainbow Valley Orchards provides a consistent quality product to savor. Located in Rainbow, Ca.

“Since 1981, we have been directly involved with the promotion and development of organically grown citrus, avocados and sub-tropical fruits grown in Southern California.  It is with the belief that it is our responsibility to be respectful stewards of our created earth. We work and manage a company of dedicated people that lend support to the overall development of organic, sustainable agriculture and viable, responsible methods of recycling and usage of our cherished resources (2).”

Sources:

(1) https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/navel_oranges_8521.php

(2) https://rainbowvalleyorchards.com/