Many of us use things we can see, like colour and shape, to help us choose oranges. But there’s one more important thing to think about: the belly. That’s right, the centre of an orange can tell you a lot about how good it is and how it tastes.
The centre of an orange that is big will usually be covered with a white skin and have fewer segments and more peel. This might make the orange less sweet and juicy. Oranges with small navels, on the other hand, have thinner peels, segments that are sweeter and more juicy, and more water.
Pay more attention to the oranges’ navels the next time you go to the store. That’s not all, though. Here are some more tips to help you pick the best oranges:
Look at the colour carefully. A darker orange colour usually means that the fruit has had more sunlight, which makes it taste sweeter and juicier.
Pick oranges that are round. Oranges that are round or wrinkled are usually less juicy and sweet.
Feel how heavy the oranges are when you pick them up. A big orange is often a sign that the fruit is fresh and juicy.
Check to see how soft the orange is. Oranges that are fresh and ripe give a little when you pinch them. If you can’t feel the fruit, it might have a thick skin and not taste as good.
If you think about these things, including the centre, you should be able to pick the right orange every time.
