ORANGES
Citrus fruits are probably the oldest fruits in the history of cultivation.
In fact, the fruit of a citrus tree is mentioned in a document written
by (allegedly) Confucius dating 500 B.C.
The original orange was small, full of seeds and very bitter. Continuous
cultivation and selection has produced the delicious sweet variety that
we enjoy today. Unless it is killed by frost or fire, the orange tree
lives to a ripe old age, bearing fruit throughout its lifetime.
An item of trivis: In Queen Victoria's day, oranges were a treasured
Christmas gift in England.
Oranges are clearly the most popular fruit consumed to day in the United
States. They are available year-round, but their peak season is January
to May. The best quality orange is firm and heavy. Lighter oranges contain
less juice.
The orange is a subtropical fruit, and it contains a citric acid content
of 1.5 percent. The orange is best eaten with other tropical or subtropical
fruits, with acid fruits, or with nuts or milk.
Oranges are delicious either cut into wedges or juiced. Like all citrus
fruit, a significant quantity of vitamins are located in the white pith,
between the flesh and the outermost layer of skin. To get the full effect
of oranges, juice them, including the white pith, only peeling off the
outermost layer of skin.
Because of the acid content, it is important to sip fresh orange or
grapefruit juice. Allow it to mix with saliva before swallowing. This
neutralizes the acid of the juice before it goes into the stomach.
Beneficial Effects:
Oranges are a great source of water-soluble vitamin C. Vitamin C is
very unstable. It is destroyed by air and light, so it is important to
drink fresh citrus juice immediately after juicing. Citrus fruits are
also high in sodium.
Those with poor gums or tooth decay are probably lacking in vitimin
C. Gastric and duodenal ulcers are deficient in Vitamin C, so their diet
should be supplemented with fresh oranges or grapefruit.
With fevers or colds, drink orange juice freely. The orange is a great
part of any juicing regimen.
