Oranges are among the most favorite fruit in the world like mangoes, apples and bananas. The health benefits of oranges are well known. They are a popular content for fruit baskets gifted to loved ones.
But there are some interesting facts about oranges that are not so well known. Here is a sample of these facts:
- Oranges (sweet oranges) are the fruits of the citrus species in Rutaceae family. They are a hybrid of Mandarin and Pomelo.
- First mentioned in Chinese literature in 314 BC. Today, it is the most cultivated fruit tree in the world.
- Brazil is the leading producer of oranges in the world.
- Orange pulp is a very rich source of Vitamin C, which provides 64% of daily requirements of humans. As such it boosts the immunity of the body.
- Orange is a type of berry.
- Like other citrus plants, oranges thrive in moderate temperature.
- Oranges that are commercially grown are being asexually propagated by grafting.
- Some products of orange are fruit juice, jam (marmalade), sweet orange oil, orange peel etc.
- Almost 85% of orange production is used to make orange juice.
- Oranges are mostly domesticated, and it is rare to find wild species.
- Christopher C Columbus is reputed to have brought the first oranges to the New World in 1493.
- During the age of exploration, travelers and explorers planted oranges all over sea routes to prevent scurvy outbreak in sailors caused by deficiency of Vitamin C.
- There are more than 600 types of oranges in the world.
- A single orange contains ten segments usually.
- Orange peel is used by gardeners as slug repellent.
- White orange flowers are fragrant and used in decorations for head wreaths, bridal bouquets and cake decoration.
- You can do well by buying cheap fruit baskets of oranges. You have to consume 7 cups of cornflakes to get the equivalent amount of fiber as much as a single orange.
- Orange is world’s third most popular flavor after chocolate and vanilla.
- Orange trees grow to 30 feet and are evergreens that last for nearly 100 years.
- A single orange tree can produce over 60,000 flowers, but only 1% reaches the stage of fruits.
- Valencia oranges are the most widely planted orange trees worldwide.
- The name ‘orange’ comes from the Sanskrit name for it -‘Naranga’ meaning ‘fragrance’.
- Oranges are the biggest citrus crop in the world.
- Orange juice is the most popular juice in America.
- Orange blossoms and oranges are symbols of love.
- Florida oranges have a greener colour than California oranges. Chlorophyll from the fruit transfers to the surface of the orange due to the warm climate and makes it look greener.
- Oranges are called as ‘fruits of the gods’. In Greek mythology, they are the golden apples stolen by Hercules.
- Oranges are associated with fertility and used to decorate wedding, Valentine’s Day celebrations, etc mainly because it is an evergreen tree, which can simultaneously produce fruits, flowers and foliage.