Facts About Oranges
Oranges are one of the most popular and widely consumed fruits all over the world, and they have been like that for thousands of years and that is because of the awesome features and nutritional value oranges possess. Despite being almost everyone’s favorite, most people do not know much about oranges, most people just know that oranges are sweet to the taste. Getting you educated with fun facts about oranges is what we aim to achieve with this article that is about orange facts.
If you’ve been eating oranges your whole life without knowing a lot about oranges, there’s nothing to feel guilty about because this article containing a list of facts about oranges were written having you in mind. After reading these orange facts you’ll become more educated on oranges and what they are capable of, even better than the average person.
Without any further ado let’s dive into the facts list.
Fun Facts About Oranges
- It goes without saying, that oranges are one of the most popular fruits around the world.
- There are two types of oranges. The Citrus sinensis is considered a sweet orange, whereas the Citrus aurantium is considered a bitter orange. Both, however, belong in the family Rutaceae.
- Oranges have a brightly colored outer rind (peel) which serves as a cover to the soft, juicy, pulpy fruit.
- There are now a minimum of 600 varieties of oranges worldwide.
- It is believed that oranges originated in Southeast Asia around 4000 B.C, from where they spread to India.
- Oranges are unknown in the wild. They are a hybrid of the pomelo, or “Chinese grapefruit” (which is pale green or yellow), and the tangerine.
- The orange tree is an evergreen, flowering tree, with an average height of 9 to 10 m (30 to 33 ft).
- Its oval leaves, alternately arranged, are 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) long and have crenulate margins.
- The flowers of an orange tree are white in color and have a wonderful fragrance.
- Ideal conditions for growing oranges are in sub-tropical areas that have good amounts of sunshine yet moderate to warm temperatures 15.5°C – 29°C (60°F – 84 °F).
- There are typically ten segments inside an orange.
- Oranges contain vitamin C, fiber, potassium and choline, which are all good for your heart, so the fruits may give your ticker a big boost. Potassium, an electrolyte mineral, is vital for allowing electricity to flow through your body, which keeps your heart beating.
- Oranges’ health benefits continue with their fiber, which has been shown to reduce high cholesterol levels thus helping to prevent atherosclerosis. Fiber can also help out by keeping blood sugar levels under control, which may help explain why oranges can be a very healthy snack for people with diabetes.
- Oranges are also vitamin A rich. This nutrient contains carotenoid compounds like lutein, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, which can help prevent age-related macular degeneration, an incurable condition that blurs central vision.
- Orange juice is widely considered one of the healthiest beverages because of its wide range of health benefits, which include its ability to boost immune system function, reduce signs of aging, protect against cancer, boost cellular repair and metabolism, detoxify the body, improve circulation, improves blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and lowers cholesterol levels.
- The word orange derives from the Sanskrit word for “orange tree” (नारङ्ग nāraṅga), which is probably of Dravidian origin. The Sanskrit word reached European languages through Persian نارنگ (nārang) and its Arabic derivative نارنج (nāranj).
- The color Orange is named after the Orange fruit. Before orange made its way from China to Europe, yellow-red was called simply that: yellow-red, or even just red.
- The orange blossom is used in perfume making, has been written about as an aphrodisiac and is the state flower of Florida.
- If you’ve ever seen a renaissance painting displaying oranges on the table during “The Last Supper,” you’ve been badly misinformed. Oranges were not cultivated in the Middle East until sometime around 9th Century.
- Moorish, Portuguese and Italian traders and explorers found sweet oranges on their Asian and Middle Eastern voyages, and imported them into Europe around the 15th century,
- Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon brought oranges to Florida in the 16th century, while Spanish missionaries introduced them to California in the 18th century.
- While bitter oranges (Citrus aurantium) may not be eaten like their sweeter sinensis cousins, they typically feature in our jams and marmalade, and their zest is used to flavor liqueurs.
- Oranges are actually modified berries, containing volatile oil glands in pits.
- You (or your gardener) can use orange peels as a slug repellent, by sprinkling them over vegetables.
- Because they can easily develop mold if exposed to moisture oranges are best stored loosely rather than wrapped in disposable bags or stored in containers.
Learn some facts about avocado.
The above list of facts about orange is the best compilation of facts on oranges on the web. In the next section we would be answering some popularly asked questions about oranges that lost of people have been asking.
Oranges FAQs
What is so special about an orange?
Orange is very special because the fibres in orange has the ability to reduce cholesterol level as well as manage blood sugar. Another special thing about orange is its numerous nutritional value which includes a high amount of vitamin C, calcium.
Is eating oranges everyday good for you?
Yes, eating oranges everyday is good for you because oranges contain high amount of vitamin c, calcium and also has the ability to reduce sugar level as well as manage cholesterol level.
Why oranges are orange?
The orange fruit is orange in colour because the colour orange was named after the fruit.
What came first orange?
Orange the fruit came first before the colour, the colour orange was named after the fruit so the fruit came first before the colour.
Are oranges good for your teeth?
Due to the presence of citric acid in oranges, oranges are not very good for your teeth, but the quantity of citric acid present is not enough to damage your teeth.
Can dogs eat oranges?
Yes, dogs can eat oranges and they won’t feel bad or be allergic to oranges.
What do oranges do for your hair?
Oranges are known to facilitate hair growth and make you hair grow faster.
Is it OK to eat an orange before bed?
No, it is not okay to eat orange before bed, this is because of the presence of citric acid in oranges which might result in mild form of heart burn.
Is it OK to eat orange at night?
No, it is not okay to eat orange at night especially before bed, this is because of the presence of citric acid in oranges which might result in mild form of heart burn.
Is orange high in sugar?
Yes, orange is high in sugar. A typical orange contains as high as 12 grams of sugar.
How did orange get its name?
The name of fruit Orange comes from it’s old french name; pomme d’orenge. This french name translates to ‘The Citrus Fruit’.
Is orange a real color?
Yes, Orange is a real color and it got its name from the fruit Orange.
Are oranges man made?
Yes, Oranges are man made as they do not occur naturally in the wild. Orange is actually a hybrid fruit, it is a hybrid from combining the mandarin fruit with the pomelo fruit, the pomelo fruit is a large citrus fruit. This was done several thousand years ago.
Are oranges unhealthy?
No, oranges are not unhealthy. Oranges are actually very healthy fruits due to their great amount of nutritious content.
Do oranges rot your teeth?
The citric acid contained in oranges have the ability to damage your teeth.
Do share these amazing facts about oranges with your family and friends, so they too can learn something new about the awesome fruit.
