Recently I read that December is the cheapest time of the year to buy oranges. The orchards tend to be heavily harvested just before the winter cold arrives because the fruit is so sensitive to freezing. The bulk of these oranges come from California and Florida and arrive just before Christmas. Just in time to get the recipe books out and bake some great orange treats for the holidays.
Here's some interesting information about oranges and why they should be a part of your daily diet. Most of the information is fairly common knowledge but it never hurts to be reminded and get you thinking about whether you're getting enough Vitamin C in your diet.
Facts:
- excellent source of Vitamin C, one orange supplies 116% of the daily value
- Vitamin C is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body
- good at preventing colds and may be helpful in preventing ear infections
- potential to lower cholesterol more effectively than some prescription drugs, and without side effects
- a single orange provides 12.5% of the daily value for fiber
- the fiber in oranges can grab cancer-causing chemicals and keep them away from cells of the colon
- fiber in oranges may be helpful for reducing the uncomfortable constipation or diarrhea in those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome
- fiber can also help by keeping blood sugar levels under control and a healthy snack for people with diabetes
- good source of thiamine, folate, Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), potassium and calcium
- have over 170 different phytonutrients and more than 60 flavonoids, many of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and blood clot inhibiting properties
You will find that there are plenty of supplements and Vitamin C fortified drinks on the market but you will get more Vitamin C from drinking a glass of real orange juice or simply eating an orange!
Studies have shown that citrus consumption has had positive effects on:
Alzheimer's
Arthritis
Asthma
Cataracts
Cholera
Crohn's Disease
Diabetes
Gallstones
Gingivitis
Macular degeneration
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's
Ulcerative Colitis
Selecting Oranges
Oranges do not have to be a bright orange colour to be good
Oranges that are partially green or have brown spots may be just as ripe and tasty as those that are solid orange in colour
Avoid any that have soft spots or traces of mold
Choose oranges that have smooth textured skin and are firm and heavy for their size. These will have a higher juice content than those that are either spongy or lighter in weight.
Smaller oranges will be juicier than those that are larger in size, as will those that have thinner skins
For the most antioxidants, choose fully ripened oranges
Oranges are among the top 20 foods in which pesticide residues are most frequently found. Buy organic oranges whenever possible especially if you're going to be using the zest for baking or giving orange slices to your kids.
Non-organic oranges are usually injected with an artificial dye to give them the uniform colour. These are fine for juicing.
Storage
Oranges can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Store loosely rather than wrapped in a plastic bags to avoid the development of mold. They will last about one week at room temperature or one month in the refrigerator and still retain the same level of Vitamin C content. If you do use plastic bags, use perforated ones.
Orange juice and zest can also be stored for later use. Place freshly squeezed orange juice in ice cube trays until frozen, and then store them in plastic bags in the freezer.
Oranges will produce more juice when warm so you should have them at room temperature before juicing. Rolling the orange under the palm of your hand on a flat surface will also help to extract more juice.
Dried orange zest should be stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight glass container.
Organic oranges should be used for the zest in baking. After washing and drying the orange, use a zester, paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove the zest, which is the orange part of the peel. Don't remove too much of the peel as the white pith is bitter and should not be used. The zest can then be more finely chopped or diced if necessary.
We all know the saying about an apple a day. Well it seems like an orange a day may help keep ulcers away. Recent studies show that people with the highest blood levels of Vitamin C had a lower incidence of infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacterium responsible for causing peptic ulcers and in turn, an increased risk for stomach cancer.
Anyone who has tested positive for H. pylori should increase their consumption of Vitamin C-rich foods since this may help them combat the infection.
You can do a lot with oranges besides eating them and drinking the juice. Oranges are used in plenty of recipes and can make some delicious foods.
Some things you can prepare using oranges:
Orange Sauce - for use on pancakes or waffles
Orange Souffle
Orange Cream Pie
Orange and Rice Custard
Orange Betty
Orange Fritters
Orange Shortcake
Orange Pudding
I hope you have an opportunity to take advantage of the great prices in December.
You can find plenty of recipes on the internet and here are two sites that have some great recipes using oranges:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/search?q=oranges
http://southernfood.about.com/od/orangerecipes/Orange_Recipes_Recipes_using_Oranges_and...
