Kitchen Origins: Oranges
- Chef Olson
- Jun 20, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
It's a classic which came first scenario, the chicken or the egg? In this case, the color orange or the naming of the fruit orange. You may be pleased to find that, along with this question and its place in royalty and tradition, the orange has a fascinating history. You'll be shocked by the history of the little citrus fruit on your table that goes well beyond Paddington Bear’s marmalade.
The orange has a fascinating story behind it. While they are widely grown in states such as California and Florida, they originated far from the continental United States. The orange dates back to Southeast Asia, where they were grown in Northern India and Southern China. Originally, these oranges were of a much more bitter varietal than the common navel orange we see in grocery stores today.
Before approximately 500 BCE, ancient trade brought the bitter orange to Western Asia and the Middle East. It was the medieval crusaders who brought the bitter oranges to Europe. These oranges were used in numerous ways. Muslims helped bring oranges to Northern Africa and Spain, where they used them for flavoring in medicine and for perfume, using the flowers.
Finally, we see the sweet orange introduced to Europe somewhere between the late 15th or early 16th centuries. These oranges proved to be both essential for survival and popular among aristocratic families.
On long journeys across the Atlantic, oranges were essential in providing Vitamin C to prevent scurvy1. These ships also brought seeds with them along their journey. It is rumored that explorers planted orange tree seeds across islands in the New World to replenish their orange stock before heading back to Europe. This is likely how oranges first made it to Florida in the 1500s.
Back in Europe, Oranges were a symbol of wealth. Great palaces were constructed to grow orange trees. They were used as perfume in the palaces in the days before indoor plumbing, and to impress visitors. In the wintertime, fires were lit to prevent the trees from freezing. One fantastic example is at Versailles in Paris. The orangeries, built by Louis the 14th, was finished in 1680. Having visited the palace in 2025, I can say that it is a breathtaking experience. The gardens alone are worth a trip. In honor of one of the largest orangeries in the world, they serve fresh-squeezed orange juice in the gardens as you walk around.
Oranges also have their place as political symbols. Orange became the color of the House of Orange-Nassau in the Netherlands. It became the color symbolizing their fight for independence as well as the color of Protestantism. You can still see the orange color in the flags of Ireland and New York!
In more modern history, during World War Two, soldiers were given vitamins to get a well-rounded, healthy diet. These vitamins tasted so bad that they often refused to take them. The orange came in and saved the day and helped to provide nutrition through canned orange juice. In a way, the orange indirectly helped us win the war, and thanks to its innovative packaging, it helped oranges become popular across the United States!
From royal palaces to political colors, orange has made its mark on the world. But which came first? The color or the naming of the fruit? You may be happy to learn the fruit was named before the color. Before the 1500s, the color orange was thought to have been called Yellow Red. It wasn't until later that the color became orange. So, there you have it! The fruit's name came first, but that's not all Orange offers. Continue reading and learn which orange to use in your cooking and baking!
What's so Special About Oranges?
With around 4.4 million tons of oranges produced between 2024 and 2025 in the U.S. alone, it's no secret that it is one of the most popular citrus fruits. Nearly 3/4ths of all citrus fruit grown is oranges.
Oranges carry a wealth of benefits; their most notable being their richness in Vitamin C. It’s debated whether or not your body can absorb the vitamins various pills claim to have in them; however, eating foods rich in vitamins is a sure-fire way to ensure you reap the benefits.
Oranges are also a non-climatic fruit. This means that they retain their qualities well after their harvest. This is due in large part to their skin, which protects against damage and spoilage caused by microbes. Stored at their ideal temperature of 45oF, these oranges will stay fresh for a long time.
One of the most common uses of oranges is making orange juice. If you’ve ever made orange juice on your own, you may have picked up on the fact that the flavor was considerably different from what you’d purchase in the store. This isn’t necessarily because the store-bought brands are full of preservatives; it likely has to do with the oranges you are using. The most common orange in grocery stores, and often the only variety available, is the navel orange. Not only does the juice contain fewer flavor esters when compared to the best juicing oranges, but its juice turns bitter after about 30 minutes. Once the orange is juiced, an intensely bitter terpene named limonin is created. Another reason why, could be the pulp. If you strain your orange juice to remove the pulp, some aroma is also removed in the process. The Cara Cara orange is a much superior variety for creating orange juice.
Beyond just orange juice, oranges are fantastic for their ability to provide sweetness while cutting through deeply intense flavors of the foods they’re paired with. They can be used in drinks, with meats, and work especially well with cranberries. While the juice has a fruitier aroma, the skin has more citrus and spice-focused aromas. While it may seem silly to see the bartender twist and wave a citrus peel around the edge of your drink, it does break open the oil glands in the skin to allow aromas to escape.
Although great for juice and as a component in your cooking and baking, they are also great for eating on their own. If you’re having trouble peeling your oranges, try submerging them in hot water for several minutes. This helps the skin loosen up and leads to easier peeling.
Traders’ Guide: Buying and Using Oranges
There are numerous varieties of oranges available in grocery stores, especially if you visit higher-end stores, making choosing the perfect orange all the more difficult. Which type of orange should you use when? And what are their characteristics? I boiled my list down to five of the most common oranges you’ll see. If you’re interested in flavor pairings for these oranges, I highly recommend using The Flavor Bible, which you can read about here
Navel Orange
This is the most common orange and is characterized by the belly button-shaped opening at the bottom. With its lack of seeds, this Orange is very easy to use.
Flavor profile: Sweet & Slightly Bitter
Uses: Snacking, Salads, Zesting (Juicing not recommended)
Growing season: November to June
Blood Orange
While it is common to see Blood Oranges on a cheese plate for decoration, it's rarely eaten on its own due to its tart and acidic flavor; it is best to use it in cooking or eaten with other foods, such as cheese, to balance the taste.
Flavor profile: Slightly Sweet & Tart With Notes of Raspberry
Uses: Desserts, Sauces, Marmalade
Growing season: November to March
Cara Cara Orange
This is a cross between a blood orange and a navel orange. You can see this in the darker orange color. For making orange juice, this is the best orange to use!
Flavor profile: Very Sweet
Uses: Snacking, Raw Dishes, Juice
Growing season: December to April, usually in California
Saville Orange
Rarely eaten alone due to its sour flavor, it's most commonly seen in marmalades. This was one of the first oranges brought to Europe and is steeped in a rich history.
Flavor profile: Sour
Uses: Marmalades or Marinades
Growing season: December to February
"Mandarin Oranges" Including Tangerines / Clementine / Satsumas
A common misconception is that Tangerines, Clementines, and Satsumas aren’t actually oranges. All three of these live under the Mandarin orange family, which is both a family and a type of orange. Mandarin oranges have been cultivated in both India and China for approximately 3,000 years. While the Satsuma appeared in the 16th century, the tangerines, named after the Moroccan city Tangier, appeared in the 19th century. All of these are primarily used for snacking due to their easy-to-peel skin and segmentation.
Flavor Profile: Sweet (Honey-like Sweetness)
Uses: Snacking
Growing season: Tangerine: November to May, Clementine: November to January
It's no secret why the orange has become one of the most popular citrus fruits in the world. With a rich history spanning hundreds of years and their versitility in cooking, they have the power to brighten any dessert or savory dish you make. Enjoy a newfound appreciation for the humble orange and enjoy the many benefits they have to offer.
Cheers,
Chef Olson
"The Flying Chef"
1Scurvy: caused by not having enough vitamin C in your diet for at least three months.
Sources
On Food & Cooking by Harold McGee
Ultra-Processed People by Chris Van Tulleken
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