Orange Facts Revealed

Oranges, with their tangy, pulpy, and juicy taste, attract a great number of fans and followers. Apart from being a great Vitamin C source, this citrus fruit also makes for a delicious revitalizing drink. A favorite way to kick start the day for fitness enthusiasts, oranges and orange juice enjoy universal popularity. However, despite being so popular, not many people are aware of several orange facts. Read further if you wish to know these facts.

1. Derivation of name: Contrary to the popular belief, oranges did not derive their name from the color. The word “orange” is actually taken from the Sanskrit transliteration of naranga, which is further taken from Tamil naru that means “fragrant.”

2. Scientific name: The scientific name for orange is Citrus x-sinensis. It is a berry named hesperidium. This indicates that this fruit has sections, tough skin, and grows on evergreen trees.

3. Types : Oranges are primarily of three types – sweet, loose skinned, and bitter. Sweet oranges are most preferred for eating, while the loose skinned oranges are easy to peel. Bitter oranges are best for cooking and their rinds can be used for oils and candy.

4. Vitamin C content: Vitamin C is found in abundance in oranges. A glass of orange juice every day is sufficient to satisfy your daily need for Vitamin C, which is otherwise not produced by our bodies on their own. However, in case you have portioned or squeezed an orange and left it standing for over eight hours, it may lose around 20% of its Vitamin C content.

5. Other nutritional facts: Oranges also consist of Vitamins A and B and are also comprised of good mineral content, like potassium, calcium, phosphorus, fiber, and magnesium.

6. Ripening: Oranges do not over ripen, even if left on the tree for a long time.

7. Highest producer: Another of the striking orange facts is that while it is the chief agricultural crop of the USA, Brazil is actually the greatest producer of oranges.

8. Origin: The origin of oranges dates back to 2500 B.C. in China, after which they gradually spread to Spain, Africa, Sicily, and further west. It was bought to America by Columbus on his famed voyage.

9. Peels: Orange peels consist of essential oils that are used for perfume and flavoring. Orange oil is loved by people for its fresh scent and environmentally friendly properties. This is why these essential oils are extensively used in the making of household cleaning products as they also work well to prevent termite infestation.

10. Fiber: Oranges have the highest fiber content when compared with other vegetables and fruits.

11. Buying and Purchasing: While selecting oranges, it is advisable to go for heavy, blemish-free and bright-colored oranges.

12. Storage: You may store oranges at room temperature without any decay for up to 3 days. If you refrigerate them, they can stay fresh for around 14 days.

13. Consumption: It is not recommended to consume orange juice on an empty stomach as citrus juice can cause acidity with a stimulation of gastro-intestinal secretions. Also, it is better to use a straw when you drink orange juice, as acids in this juice may cause erosion of your tooth enamel. So, it is preferable to avoid contact of the juice with teeth as much as possible.

Knowing these orange facts have surely made you wiser about the benefits of your favorite citrus fruit.

Orange Facts Revealed

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