Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?! Oranges have been around since ancient times, originating in Southeast Asia.  Rumor has it Christopher Columbus was the first to bring orange seeds to American in 1493 during his second voyage.

Oranges are domesticated, meaning it would be extremely unlikely to find them growing naturally out in the wild. About 85% of ALL oranges produced are used for juice – are you a pulp, some pulp or no pulp kind of person? 

Unlike apples and avocados, oranges stop ripening once they’re removed from the tree. A ripe orange should be firm with a thin, smooth skin and no soft spots. The riper the orange, the heavier the orange should feel for its size.

The ripening process of fruit is basically the conversion of starch to sugar. When fruit is early in the ripening process, it is very starchy, which causes it to be hard and odorless. As fruit ripens, more sugar develops, which causes it to soften, change color, and put off a sweet aroma.

Depending on the variety, oranges will stay fresh on the tree for two to six months. Overripe oranges will turn soft and then fall from the tree.

Fun fact: Orange peel can be used by gardeners to sprinkle over vegetables as a slug repellent