How to pick the best juicy oranges at store
Let’ learn how to pick the best juicy oranges at the store! Oranges are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, but not all oranges seem to be not equal. Some sweet, some.. not so much. I’ll show you how to pick the best juicy oranges at the store, not dehydrated ones.
Table of Contents
How to pick the best juicy oranges
Weight
When you pick an orange up at the store, you should feel a good amount of weight in your hand, like a small sports ball. This heaviness indicates how much juice is in your orange. Don’t be afraid to give it a sniff. The sweetest and ripest fruits will emit the scent of their juices through the skin.
Color
Skin color is not an indicator of flavor or ripeness. Those with greenish hues can be just as tasty as bright orange ones.
No matter the variety, your orange should have a bright color. With navels, look for a vivid orange hue. Ripe Valencias might still have a greenish tinge, as they reabsorb chlorophyll while hanging on the tree during warmer months. Pick the bright color oranges.
Feel
Generally, the tastiest orange, whatever the variety, will be firm, full-colored, smooth, and thin-skinned. Avoid oranges that are too soft, show even the smallest signs of mold, or feel as though they have bruises.
Don’t worry about slight scratches or marks on the skin. this is called “wind scarring,” which happens when fruit rubs against the tree branches during windy weather.
The season’s best
Oranges are generally found in store year-round, with peak season being November to April. Make sure to pick a variety that is in season:
- Navel: from midwinter to early spring
- Valencia: from late spring to midsummer
- Blood oranges: December through April
- Cara Cara: from December through April
- Clementine and Satsuma: October through January
- Pineapple sweet: from November to February
- Golden Nugget Mandarin: from March to June
- Seville sour: December to April
- Tangerine: October to January
Avoid those oranges
Avoid buying an orange with:
- Bruises, blemishes, cuts or other visible damage
- Soft spots, a squishy or spongy texture, or loss of shape
- Dried-out, wrinkled, withered, saggy or otherwise unhealthy-looking rinds
- Discolored areas on the rind
- Mold growth (often white or dark greenish in color, and it may appear fuzzy)
- A sour or otherwise unappetizing odor
Store them properly
Keep at room temperature for up to a week, or store in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Don’t wash them until use, as moisture promotes mold and bacteria growth during storage.
Health Benefits of Orange
- fiber
- Vitamin C
- thiamin
- folate
- potassium
- antioxidants
More Resources
Modern Farmer: Guide to orange varieties
LIVE SCIENCE: Oranges: Facts About the Vibrant Citrus Fruit
How to pick a ripe watermelon every time
Conclusion: Now you know how to pick the best juicy oranges at store. So try these and master the skills! You'll get the hang of it quickly. Shopping will be much more fun!
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