About:
I love love love citrus fruit. Y'all, I could drink and bathe in orange juice. I like it with salty things and I like it with sweet things. I could eat them on a plane or on a train... you get where I'm going?
Truth is, I've never been much of a dairy person. Don't get me wrong, I love some cheese and occasionally yogurt (though I'm picky), but I bleed orange, simply because of how much orange juice I consume. I actually don't get sick much. My immune system is great. And, honestly I couldn't tell you the last time I drank a glass of milk, but I was probably 4 or 5 years old. I contribute my good health to good ole OJ!
Do you know just how good it is for you?
Benefits:
Oranges are a great source of vitamins, but they are also great for your skin (hmmm... now that I think about it, that may also contribute to my complexion and that I've never had skin or acne challenges).
Health Essentials
Heart health
Lessening the chances of strokes
Lowering your blood sugar
Reducing risks of cancer because of their high levels of Vitamin C
"One orange provides 130 percent of your vitamin C needs for the day, 2 percent of vitamin A needs, 6 percent of calcium and 0 percent of iron." -Medical News Today
Growing
Planting:
Oranges are similar to citrus fruits like limes and lemons. They need lots of sun and ample water to grow and be fruitful. They also have to cross pollinate, so you can't plant just one tree, if you want the fruit.
They grow best in tropical weather like Florida or California. But, it's not necessary to live only in those states to grow them.
Here are some tips for planting:
Space 12-25 feet apart from one another.
If planting from a seed, start with a small pot. Remember that it takes a few years for them to start bearing fruit.
It's also important to fertilize them twice a year with a citrus specific fertilizer.
Harvesting:
- It will take 6-8 months for your fruit to be ready to ripen. They will be ready as winter nears. I always remember this because there are always plentiful oranges in big brown paper bags around Christmas.
- Pick fruit when ready to eat. You should not expect it to ripen off the tree.
Storage:
Keeping:
Store in a cool environment. Fruit will last several weeks.
Washing:
Rinse outside of orange off with water after you pick it. Let it sit at room temperature until you get ready to eat it. Or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
Tips:
How are you orang-ing today?
"Keep a bowl on the kitchen table or counter stocked with fresh fruit from the season. Seeing the fruits readily available will likely cause you to choose them as a snack more often rather than raiding the cupboards for a less healthy snack.
Make a fruit salad with strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges and grapes.
Add some orange slices to your salad at lunch or dinner. Compliment the oranges with walnuts or pecans, a crumbled cheese and a light balsamic or citrus vinaigrette dressing.
Make your own juice! Nothing tastes better than freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning. When you make your own, you can be sure there are no added preservatives or sweeteners."-Medical News Today
Lauren
Sources: Medical News Today, The Old Farmers Almanac