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Is It Better to Get Vitamin C from Fresh Florida Oranges or Supplements?

March 29, 2012 By back_up

Today most people think that popping a vitamin C tablet in their mouth provides them with the same nutritional boost as eating a whole, fresh Florida orange. Before the mid-1930s when the first vitamin C supplement was created, people got all their vitamins from the food they ate. There were no alternatives. However, the synthetic production of vitamin C paved the way for the wholesale production of synthetic vitamins and the development of today’s massive dietary supplement industry. By the mid-1900s, the development of inexpensive multivitamins turned taking a daily multivitamin into a morning habit.

While the development of synthetic vitamins has helped improve American health by allowing the eradication of diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies, nutritionists are unanimous in saying that supplements are not an equal substitute for natural whole foods. Not only are fresh whole Florida oranges a superior source of vitamin C, but they contain additional vitamins, minerals, nutrients and soluble fiber that are essential to good health. The fact that the body absorbs vitamins and minerals more readily from fresh fruits and vegetables than it does from supplements also gives Florida oranges an important edge over vitamin C tablets.

Today, nutritionists and physicians still encourage people to take a daily vitamin because of our over-reliance on prepared and fast food; however they universally recommend the consumption of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables like delicious Florida oranges as the best source of vitamin C and other healthy nutrients.

Filed Under: Citrus Health Benefits, Florida Citrus Tagged With: ,

Why Do Some Valencia Oranges Turn Green?

March 27, 2012 By nancy

Did you know that Florida oranges will not overripen if they are left on the tree? This happy fact of nature ensures that every delicious Florida Valencia orange you receive from FloridaOrange.com is picked at the peak of ripeness. But if Valencia oranges turn bright orange as they ripen on the tree and reach full maturity, why are some of the Valencias sold at local groceries a combination of orange and green?

What Florida citrus growers call “regreening” does not indicate unripe fruit. Rather, regreening is the fruit’s reaction to overly warm temperatures. Warm weather can force the skin of Valencia oranges to reabsorb chlorophyll, the pigment in plants that gives them their green color, causing ripe fruit to turn partially green. The reabsorption of chlorophyll may make Valencias look a little less appealing, but it does not affect the flavor or juiciness of fresh, ripe Florida Valencia oranges.

Florida Valencia oranges are America’s favorite juicing orange. The bulk of Florida’s Valencia crop is sold for domestic juice production. A single fresh-squeezed Valencia orange can produce as much as 2 ounces of juice. To obtain the maximum amount of juice from oranges (or any other citrus fruit), bring the fruit to room temperature before squeezing.

 

Filed Under: Florida Citrus, Florida Oranges, Valencia Oranges Tagged With: , ,

How Long Can I Store Florida Citrus Fruit?

March 13, 2012 By nancy

At 10 years, Spam has the longest shelf life of any food, according to food scientists who are experimenting with high-pressure processing to create fresh-tasting food that could be stored for 3 to 5 years to feed astronauts, soldiers and victims of natural disasters. Some day astronauts may be able to replace Tang with fresh Florida orange juice; but for now, Florida citrus storage is limited to a few weeks; although freezing can extend your enjoyment of fresh Florida oranges and grapefruit.

You can store Florida citrus fruit for up to a week at room temperature. To deter spoilage, keep Florida oranges and grapefruit out of direct sunlight in a cool, dark place. Room temperature fruit should be checked daily for spoilage. Thin-skinned tangerines should be refrigerated.

The life of Florida grapefruit, tangerines and oranges can be extended by several weeks by storing them in the refrigerator. Refrigerated fruit should be stored in the crisper drawer or in a mesh or perforated plastic bag to allow air circulation. Never store citrus fruit in airtight containers as trapped moisture can cause mold and spoilage. Before eating or juicing, refrigerated citrus fruit should be allowed to reach room temperature for best flavor and optimum juiciness.

Fresh-squeezed Florida citrus juice will maintain its flavor and vitamin C content if refrigerated immediately in a tightly-sealed container. Fresh Florida citrus juice, sectioned fruit in juice and grated citrus peel, called “zest,” can be frozen for later enjoyment.

Filed Under: Florida Citrus, Florida Grapefruit, Florida Oranges, Honey Tangerines, Valencia Oranges Tagged With: , , , ,

Early Spring Hastens End of Florida Citrus Season

March 8, 2012 By nancy

You can blame global warming or a fluke of nature, but last year’s unusually early spring accelerated the growing season for several varieties of Florida citrus fruit. Florida’s top citrus growers are predicting an early end to the season for Florida grapefruit and Florida tangerines, possibly by as much as three weeks. The Florida Valencia orange crop was not impacted and is expected to run its full course.

Last year’s early spring caused citrus trees to blossom much earlier than usual, accelerating the growth cycle of many citrus varieties and causing early maturation of the fruit. The Florida citrus season usually runs through mid- to late May but is now expected to end a month early. Florida tangerines will only be available through the end in March; Florida grapefruit, through April. Late season Florida Valencia oranges which were not affected will continue to be available through late May.

This year’s Florida citrus season has produced a crop of high-quality fruit. Florida Ruby Red grapefruit have been particularly large, sweet and juicy. The exceptional flavor of this season’s Florida Honey tangerines has made them a consumer favorite. Extraordinarily juicy, the new crop of Florida Valencia oranges is in high demand.

With less time to enjoy luscious, fresh Florida citrus fruit, citrus lovers should place their orders now. Through March 31, 2012, you can save 10% on your FloridaOrange.com order by entering coupon code 7777 at checkout.

Filed Under: Florida Agriculture, Florida Citrus, Florida Grapefruit, Florida Tangerines, Growers, Valencia Oranges, Weather Tagged With: , , , ,
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