The orange tree is a small tropical to semitropical, evergreen flowering plant. It can reach a height of about 5-8 meters. Oranges are seasonal fruits. A typical orange can be 3 inches in diameter, and weighs 100 -150 g. The flowers of an orange tree are white in color and have a wonderful fragnance. The blooming period of flowers is in spring. The fruits ripen in fall or winter.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Species: C. sinensis
History of Orange
It is believed that oranges were first produced in southeast Asia, sometime around 4000 BC. It was taken to Africa by travelers and found its way in the Roman soil by 200 BC. Sour oranges were introduced to the Arabs by 10 century A.D. The Portuguese came up with a new variety of orange called the Portugal orange. It is thought that Christopher Columbus was the first person to bring the seeds of orange to America during his second voyage in 1493. By 1820, orange grooves were thriving in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1873, three orange trees were brought from Brazil and planted in Riverside, California. It is interesting to note that one of the trees is still alive and bearing fruits.
Types Of Oranges
There are over 600 varieties of oranges. The popular varieties of oranges can be listed as under:
Valencia
Hamlin
Pineapple Oranges
Temple Oranges
Washington Navel
Red Cara Navel
Blood Oranges
Amber sweet
Moro Orange
Seville Orange
Jaffa
Persian Variety
Parson Brown
Orange Nutritional Information
Oranges are among the most valuable food crops in America. These fruits are suitable for everyone and are known as the best fruits to treat diseases. There are many orange nutritional facts that are not known by orange lovers. There is more to orange nutritional facts than just being the best source of Vitamin C. Orange is a major source of calcium, phosphorous, potassium, citrus acid, beta-carotene, aldehyde and compounds of alcohol ENE group. The predominant flavonoids in lemons and oranges, Hesperetin and Narigenin are other essential components in oranges. Narigenin is a bio-active compound that acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune system modulator. These antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals and unstable oxygen molecules in the body. This helps in slowing the aging process and gives you a younger looking skin. It also helps curbing diseases by increasing the immunity level of the body. Oranges are also rich in Vitamin A and other flavonoids and antioxidants like alpha and beta carotenes, beta-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanhin and lutein. Vitamin A helps in maintaining a healthy mucus membrane and skin. Vitamin A is also one of the most important vitamins to maintain a proper eye sight.
Oranges are a good source of fiber. These little marvels of nature are fat-free, sodium free and cholesterol free. The orange nutritional value further increases due to the presence of thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium and copper. As oranges are acidic, with a pH value between 2.5-3 that depends on the age, size and variety of the fruit, they are excellent detoxifying fruits.
Oranges are rich in pectin, that is a bulk laxative. It is very effective for people who are overweight. Pectin protects the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing it's exposure period to toxic substances. It also binds itself to cancer causing chemicals in the intestine, thus reducing the chances of cancer. Cholesterol levels in the blood are also reduced if the pectin level in the body lowers. Pectin decreases the re-absorption process in the intestine by binding to bile acids.
Orange juice helps in absorption of medicines by the body, thus helping in the biochemical and physiological effects of the medicine. The following table will give a fair idea about the orange nutritional value:
Nutrients Value
Energy (kcal) 198/47
Fibre content (g) 3.1
Ascorbic acid (mg) 70
Folate (mcg) 40
Potassium (mg) 237
Water (%) 87
Protein (g) 1.0
Sugar (g) 10.6
Vit. A (mcg) 2
Vit. C (mg) 49
Vit. B1 (mg) 0.07
Vit. B2 (mg) 0.03
Vit. B6 (mg) 0.06
Vit. E (mg) 0.1
Orange Trivia
Oranges are fourth most popular fruit and orange juice is the most popular juice in America.
Brazil is the largest producer of oranges in the world.
The Florida oranges are greener than the California oranges. The warm night climate in Florida causes the chlorophyll pigments to migrate into the orange peel making it more greener.
It is possible for more than one plant to grow from a single seed of orange.
The ripe oranges that are unplucked from the trees, may turn to green due to a process called re-greening. This effect does not hamper the taste and the oranges nutritional value.
Oranges contain more fiber than most fruits and vegetables.
Oranges and orange blossoms are a symbol of love.
More orange trees are killed by lighting than plant diseases.
Oranges were known as the fruits of the Gods. They were often referred as the 'golden apples' that Hercules stole.
There are over 35,000,000 orange trees in Spain.
There are many more orange facts and orange nutritional facts. To stay healthy, one should not have more than 3 oranges per day. Just as the color orange is a synonym to vitality, strength and endurance, the fruit also contains these three properties.