Jan 31 2008
Oranges rules!!
Fun facts about oranges
~ Clementines: the clementine is a seedless mandarin.
~ Kumquats: the kumquat is like a citrus fruit and has an edible skin. It is the most well known of the sort fortunella which is closely related to Citrus.
~ Mandarins: type of small orange with loose skin. The mandarin got its name because it was exploited by high-ranking government officials in China (mandarins).
~ Minneolas: are a crossing between a tangerine and a grapefruit and can be recognized by
“the little nose”. Can be peeled manually. Is a type of Tangelo, a minneola is a specifically marketed tangelo.
~ Oranges: There are different types of oranges: navel oranges, Valencia oranges and blood oranges are the most cultivated races.
~ Tangelos: a tangelo is a crossing between a tangerine, a grapefruit and an orange. A specific kind of tangelo is the Ugli which is described further on this page.
~ Satsuma:is a very special seedling from Japan. Its skin is a bit tighter than the clementine and it doesn’t have seeds as well.
~ Tangerines: a tangerine is an orange-red mandarin with a particular citrus taste. Can be peeled manually.
Uglis: a specific kind of tangelo, easier to peel. A crossing between a tangerine, a grapefruit and an orange. Looks really ugli and sometimes has brown spots. Can be peeled manually.
Other peculiar characteristics
- The calcium in fortified orange juice is better absorbed than the calcium in milk. A glass of milk (8 ounces) has 291 mg of calcium; of which 93 mg is absorbed (31%). Fortified orange juice (8 ounces) has 350 mg of calcium; of which 130 mg. is absorbed (37%).
- One orange contains about 50 mg. vitamin C; this is about 2/3 of our daily need;
- Oranges are an acid and therefore a detoxifying fruit;
- Bitter oranges can’t be eaten raw and are used to make marmalades;
- Citrus fruit is never colored artificially.
- The orange colors orange under the influence of cold temperatures.
