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22 May 2013

Oranges

Valencia Oranges Availability

New Zealand Valencia oranges are available from November to February.

Valencia Oranges Facts

  • The original Valencia was discovered in Valencia, Spain, hence its name
  • Have from one to six seeds in the fruit

General Orange 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.

Orange Facts

  • Oranges are citrus fruit related to mandarins, 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.

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 

Serving size: 1 orange - 128g

  Avg Quantity Avg Quantity
per serving per 100g
Energy (kJ/Cal) 215/52 168/41
Protein (g) 1.1 0.9
Fat, total (g) 0.38 0.3
- saturated (g) 0.1 0.1
carbohydrate (g) 11 8.6
- sugars (g) 10.8 8.5
Fibre (g) 1.28 1
Sodium (mg) 3.8 3
Vitamin C (mg) 46 36

Source: The Concise New Zealand Food Composition Tables, 8th Edition, Plant & Food Research

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