Orange

The orange (specifically, the sweet orange) is the fruit of the citrus Citrus sinensis, species Citrus sinensis in the family Rutaceae. The fruit of the Citrus sinensis is called sweet orange to distinguish it from that of the Citrus aurantium, the bitter orange. The orange is a hybrid, possibly between pomelo (Citrus maxima) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata), cultivated since ancient times.

Probably originated in Southeast Asia, oranges were already cultivated in China as far back as 2500 BC. Between the late 15th century and the beginnings of the 16th century, Italian and Portuguese merchants brought orange trees in the Mediterranean area. The Spanish introduced the sweet orange to the American continent in the mid 1500s.

The origin of the term orange is presumably the Sanskrit word for "orange tree" (naranga), whose form has changed over time, after passing through numerous intermediate languages. The fruit is known as "Chinese apple" in several modern languages. Some examples are Dutch sinaasappel (literally, "China's apple") and appelsien, or Low German Apfelsine. In English, however, Chinese apple usually refers to the pomegranate.

History

There are no reports of sweet oranges occurring in the wild. In general, it is believed that sweet orange trees have originated in Southeast Asia, northeastern India or southern China and that they were first cultivated in China around 2500 BC.

In Europe, citrus fuits – among them the bitter orange, introduced to Italy by the crusaders in the 11th century – were grown widely in the south for medicinal purposes, but the sweet orange was unknown until the late 15th century or the beginnings of the 16th century, when Italian and Portuguese merchants brought orange trees in the Mediterranean area. Shortly afterwards, the sweet orange was quickly adopted as an edible fruit. It was also considered a luxury good and wealthy people grew oranges in private conservatories, called orangeries. By 1646, the sweet orange was well known throughout Europe.

Spanish explorers introduced the sweet orange into the American continent. On his second voyage in 1493, Christopher Columbus took seeds of oranges, lemons and citrons to Haiti and the Caribbean. Subsequent expeditions in the mid 1500s brought sweet oranges to South America and Mexico, and to Florida in 1565, when Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St Augustine. Spanish missionaries brought orange trees to Arizona between 1707 and 1710, while the Franciscans did the same in San Diego, California, in 1769. An orchard was planted at the San Gabriel Mission around 1804 and a commercial orchard was established in 1841 near present-day Los Angeles. In Louisiana, oranges were probably introduced by French explorers.

Archibald Menzies, the botanist and naturalist on the Vancouver Expedition, collected orange seeds in South Africa, raised the seedlings on board and gave them to several Hawaiian chiefs in 1792. Eventually, the sweet orange was grown in wide areas of the Hawaiian Islands, but its cultivation stopped after the arrival of the Mediterranean fruit fly in the early 1900s.

As oranges are rich in vitamin C, during the Age of Discovery, Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch sailors planted citrus trees along trade routes to prevent scurvy.

Around 1872, Florida obtained seeds from New Orleans, so many orange groves were established by grafting the sweet orange on to sour orange rootstocks.

Orange

Varieties

• Common oranges
• Valencia
• Hart's Tardiff Valencia
• Hamlin
• Other varieties of common oranges
•  Navel oranges
• Cara cara navels
• Other varieties of navels
• Blood oranges
• Other varieties of blood oranges 
• Acidless oranges

Nutritive value of Papaya : Per 100 gm.

Energy                  47 Kcal     2.5%
Carbohydrates       11.75 g     9%
Protein                  0.94 g     1.5%
Total Fat               0.12 g     0.5%
Cholesterol            0 mg         0%
Dietary Fiber          2.40 g         6%

Vitamins        

Folates                      30 µg          7.5%
Niacin                       0.282 mg      2%
Pantothenic acid         0.250 mg     5%
Pyridoxine                 0.060 mg      4.5%
Riboflavin                  0.040 mg      3%
Thiamin                    0.100 mg      8%
Vitamin C                 53.2 mg        90%
Vitamin A                 225 IU          7.5%
Vitamin E                 0.18 mg        1%
Vitamin K                 0 µg             0%

Electrolytes        

Sodium             0 mg         0%
Potassium         169 mg     3.5%

Minerals        

Calcium        40 mg         4%
Copper         39 µg          4%
Iron             0.10 mg       1%
Magnesium    10 mg          2.5%
Manganese    0.024 mg     1%
Zinc             0.08 mg       1%

Health Benefits

• Vitamin C in oranges is a primary water soluble antioxidant. It protects the human body against cancer, stroke and heart attack. It prevents hardening of the arteries. It protects cells from damage by free radicals. It prevents dreadful scurvy. It aids in healing wounds and helps in absorption of iron. It is known to promote a healthy immune system. It keeps sperms healthy by protecting them from genetic damage, thereby preventing birth defects. It is good for the skin.
• Oranges are rich in dietary fiber. They help in stabilizing blood sugar levels. They promote proper digestion and prevent diseases related to the digestive system. They prevent constipation. They are known to reduce dangerous cholesterol. They also prevent cancer.
• Oranges are rich in phytonutrient compounds which are known for their healing abilities.
• Limonoids in oranges helps in fighting cancers of the mouth, stomach, lungs, skin, breast and colon.
• Oranges prevent formation or kidney stones.
• Oranges contain Vitamin A which is proved to promote healthy body tissues.
• Polyphenols in oranges protect the human body from various viral infections.
• Oranges prevent stomach cancer and ulcers according to a study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition".
• Orange is rich in beta-cryptoxanthin. This prevents lung cancer and promotes a healthy respiratory system.
• Regular consumption of this wonder fruit is known to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.
• Calcium in oranges helps build strong bones and teeth.
• Oranges contain flavonoids. These help in lowering high blood pressure.
• Oranges are rich in folic acid. This nutrient is necessary for healthy blood and brain.
• Oranges contain magnesium which is required to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
• Potassium in oranges helps in maintaining electrolyte balance in the cells. It is also good for the cardiovascular system.
• Orange juice is known to reduce craving for alcohol. It helps in reducing addiction to alcohol.
• Consumption of oranges is known to reduce mucus secretion from the nose.
• Oranges are known to support the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
• Oranges contain vitamin B1 (thiamin) which plays a major role in converting blood sugar into energy.
• Oranges are also found to be good for asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Avoids

Oranges are excellent for the human body when consumed in moderation. The famous saying "Nectar becomes poison when consumed in excess" holds good here also.
Excessive consumption of oranges can drain out calcium from the body, there by causing damage to bones and teeth. It may also cause mucus build up in the throat.

Recipes

Orange Date Salad
Orange Jam
Orange Spread
Orange Ginger Juice
Orange Biscuits
Cranberry-Orange Fruit Bars
Orange Fruit Cups
Orange and Passionfruit Soda