Oranges are a common fruit that people love for their cool taste, bright colour, and many uses. However, not every orange is the same. There are some that are sweet and juicy and some that are watery and boring. A small, often-overlooked part of the orange, the tip, is the key to choosing the right one. There is a small depression at the bottom of the fruit that tells you a lot about its taste, texture, and how juicy it is.
Pay attention to the size of the head when you pick oranges. A smaller tip means the orange is sweeter because the amount of sugar stays more even as it grows. On the other hand, bigger navels usually mean more water, which makes the fruit less sweet and flavourful. Choose oranges with smaller, tighter navels because they have a stronger lemon flavour.
After that, look at the shape around the belly. A hard, plump, and round spot makes me think of a juicy, fresh orange. It could mean that the fruit is past its prime or drying out if the area looks flat, wrinkly, or soft. If there is a round, taut spot near the middle, that means the orange is full of juice.
Another important thing to think about when choosing the right orange is its weight. Oranges that are heavier tend to be more juicy. One way to choose an orange is to compare how much it weighs. It’s possible for a lighter orange to look fine on the outside but be very dry on the inside.
Both the colour and feel of the skin are important. A good orange should have skin that is smooth, slightly shiny, and a bright, uniform colour. Look for any marks, mould spots, or changes in colour around the belly. Small marks are normal, but skin that is too thick, swollen, or shrunken can mean that the fruit is dehydrated or developing unevenly.
So what’s the point of the navel? The belly grows as a second fruit while the orange is growing. A smaller opening usually means that the fruit has grown more evenly, which means that the sugar is spread out better and the flavour is better overall.
Along with the navel, think about when oranges are in season. If you buy oranges during their normal gathering season, they will taste better and be fresher. If you want to buy navel oranges, they taste best from late autumn to early spring.
Using your nose is another good tip. Even through its skin, a ripe, tasty orange will have a weak but noticeable citrus scent. This isn’t a foolproof method, but it can give you another hint about how the fruit tastes.
As soon as you pick your oranges, make sure you store them correctly so they keep their quality. If you want to eat them soon, leave them out at room temperature. If you want to keep them fresh for up to two weeks, put them in the fridge.
You’ll have a much better chance of choosing oranges that are sweet, juicy, and full of flavour if you pay attention to the core, weight, skin texture, and smell. You don’t need luck to choose the best orange; you just need to know what to look for.
