Sweet Oranges

• Sweet oranges vary in size and sweetness. Although they differ in size, almost all oranges have 11 segments or carpels covered by a removable dimpled peel. Popular sweet oranges include Valencia, blood and navel oranges.
  
  Blood oranges were first discovered in Sicily during the 15th century and have since been cultivated around the world. High in vitamin C and rich in flavor, blood oranges derive their name from their deep scarlet color and rich flavor. The juice of blood oranges is a deep burgundy, reminiscent of blood. There is a hint of raspberry in the flavor of the blood orange.
  
  In 1820, in an orchard of sweet oranges planted in a monastery in Brazil, a single mutated fruit yielded the navel orange. This unusual mutation caused the orange to develop a second "conjoined twin" orange at the base of the original fruit, embedded within the peel of the larger orange. To outward appearances, the base of the fruit looked like a human navel, hence its name. Navel oranges are also known as Bahia, Washington or Riverside navel.
  
  Valencia oranges, also known as Marcia, are especially sweet with few seeds. Reportedly the sweetest of all oranges, thin-skinned Valencia oranges are used primarily for juice extraction. Valencia oranges ripen late in the season and are available after the supply of fresh navels has diminished.
  
  

Bitter Oranges

• Sour or bitter oranges are used in tart sauces and syrups to flavor culinary dishes.
  Well known sour oranges include Persian, Chinotto, Seville, Bergamot and Bouquet de Fleurs (also called Bouquet). Sour oranges are harvested in the late fall through winter dependent on climate conditions.
  
  Widely cultivated throughout southern Europe since the 11th century, the bitter Persian orange has a thinner peel than many oranges and is favored for cooking tart marmalade, sauces and citrus-flavored dishes. A popular Asian dish, rice with Persian orange, almonds and ginger is served with chicken or pork. Find the recipe at: cdkitchen.com
  
  

Orange Tree Trivia

• Around the world, orange blossoms are often used as wedding flowers. However, cutting the flowers prevents fruit formation. The flowers are a brilliant white, normally in cluster of two to six flowers.
  
  Orange trees are a relatively small tree, reaching from 25 to 30 feet at maturity. The tree presents bright, shiny green leaves, oval and wider at the base. The leathery leaves are 3 to 4 inches long, pointed at the end and rounded at the base. Many orange cultivars have thorny branches.
  
  Oranges vary in size, dependent upon variety. They are normally from 2 to 4 inches around. Some oranges have thick rinds, while other varieties have a very thin skin.
  
  

Geography

• Orange trees are a bright landscape addition.small orange tree image by Erg??n ?--zsoy from Fotolia.com
  
  Dutch, Portuguese, Arab and Spanish sailors planted citrus trees along the shipping trade routes to stave off scurvy (oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C). In 1493 Christopher Columbus transported seeds of lemons and orange to the Caribbean and Haiti. In 1513, the Spanish ocean explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon introduced oranges to what is now Florida. The luscious fruit was brought to Hawaii in 1792. Although originally from Southeast Asia, orange trees flourish around the world in mild tropical and sub-tropical climates. The main growers of orange trees are Portugal, Mexico, India, Spain, Brazil, North Africa and the United States.
  
  

Houseplants

• Orange trees are often grown in containers as houseplants. They require bright, filtered sunlight and a warm, humid location. Keep the soil uniformly moist. Do not over water. Fertilize lightly, once a month, with a mild 10-20-10 formula. Gardeners also use orange trees as ornamental landscape trees planted in containers on patios and terraces. The trees can be moved indoors in colder weather as they are susceptible to frost.