Oranges - Valencia
Orange/Ārani
Availability
New Zealand Valencia oranges are available from November to February.
Storage and Handling
Store at room temperature. Handle all fresh produce with care and wash before eating.
History
Oranges originated as a sour fruit growing wild in China. They were cultivated in China perhaps as early as 2500 B.C. Around the first century A.D. Romans obtained the fruit after long sea voyages. The Moors planted orange trees in Northern Africa around the first century A.D. and planting spread to Spain. By 1200 A.D. oranges were widely grown in Spain and Portugal. The original Valencia was discovered in Valencia, Spain, hence its name.
Facts
- Oranges are citrus fruit related to mandarins, lemons, limes and grapefruit
- Oranges have a high vitamin C content and played a role in preventing sailors from getting scurvy on long sea trips
- Oranges are the largest of the citrus crops
- Oranges have from one to six seeds in the fruit
Growing Facts
- Oranges grow on evergreen trees that can produce leaves, blossoms and fruit all at the same time
- If oranges are left on the tree they may turn from orange back to green. This does not affect their flavour
- Oranges grow in sub-tropical or semi-tropical regions of Brazil, United States, Mexico, Spain, New Zealand and many more countries
Nutrition Information
Oranges are a good source of folate, vitamins B6 and C and a source of dietary fibre and potassium.
You will find the full Nutrition Information Panel on the New Zealand Food Composition Data website. This website is owned jointly by Plant & Food Research and the Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health. This website holds the most comprehensive collection of high-quality nutrient data for New Zealand foods. The Database is managed and maintained by dedicated Plant & Food Research staff.
