Florida Oranges are the Best

Many people think that an orange is an orange is an orange, but at the end of the day Florida oranges are the best in the entire world. Now this isn't to say oranges grown in other parts of the world are not good, but truth be told everyone knows the oranges from Florida are bigger, sweeter and juicer than citrus fruits grown in other parts of the world.

One of the reasons Florida oranges are the best in the world is because the climate is perfect for growing a nice, juicy orange. While the heat and humidity isn't great for spending long afternoons sauntering around town without sunscreen, it is perfect for cultivating the perfect orange.

Another reason is that the orange was introduced to the North American continent in 1513 by famed Spaniard Ponce de Leon in what is now known as Florida. This long relationship between the fruit and the Florida region means that the way the oranges are grown has been handed down through generations of citrus growers. This extended history has allowed the growers to perfect exactly how to grow the best oranges in the world.

But not all Florida oranges are the same. There are many different sorts of oranges, but the ones grown in the Indian River region of Florida produce the best juice of any oranges across the globe. Of course, the oranges grown in Brazil are a pretty close second. But nothing really beats the tasty punch that comes from a fresh squeezed Indian River grown orange.

In fact Americans love orange juice from Florida so much the growers only export about 10% of the juice to other parts of the world. On the other hand Brazil exports about 99% of the orange juice the produce each year. That isn't to say it is bad, but everyone knows that when Americans find a good thing they like to hold on to it.

The Navel orange is one of the most popular oranges grown in Florida, but there are other varieties grown in the region as well. These include varieties such as Temple and Hamlin oranges.

Navel oranges are very easy to spot because they have an area of the fruit that looks very much like a navel. Navel oranges can be found in large or small sizes and are world renown for being able to eat by hand because of their easy-to-peel nature. Navels are produced between November and January. And for great color in salads, rare Scarlet Red Navels are not only visually stunning, they feature a sweet, complex flavor.

The popular Honeybell Tangelo, featuring it's fiery orange color and unique bell shape are loaded with flavorful juice. They are available for only a short time in January. You'll find the Florida Tangelos are more laden with juice than Tangelos from other regions.

The Temple orange is a mix of a tangerine and orange and is easy to peel and eat just like the navel, but the taste is completely different. Temples are also great to eat by hand because they don't have a lot of seed unlike the tangerine. Temples are available from December to March.

Hamlin oranges are small citrus fruits they emit a nearly colorless, but tasty juice. These types of oranges don't have any seed which makes them great for people who like to peel and eat them on the go. These types of Florida oranges can be had from October to November.

Ortanique Oranges available from late February through April originally came from Jamaica, and is now grown on the banks of the Indian River. It's a natural hybrid with the juicy pizazz of the Orange and the Tangerine combined. It's rare, and we're proud to be growing them.

Valencia are long renowned for their fine juicing qualities. They hang on the tree longer than most oranges, and are available in Spring.