Exploring Different Varieties of Oranges

From mindlessly peeling open an orange during summer holidays to standing in front of the produce aisle wondering which varieties of oranges taste the best, we’ve surely come a long way. With their rich colour, juicy segments and tart pulp that screams Vitamin C, oranges have always had a way of sparking joy within us. We associate it with summer, health, immunity, sweetness, citrus, and so much more. Be it unknowingly or not, we tend to incorporate the entirety of the fruit into juices, salads, oatmeals and cakes without a keen understanding of the types of oranges available at our disposal.  

Oranges are a staple in several cultures, and for good reason. Hence, the fruits are cultivated and are available in a wide variety. Let us take a peek into all the types of oranges and what makes them unique enough to be on this list:

1. Navel

Early-founded in Brazil, Navel oranges are essentially winter fruits. These varieties of oranges are hugely popular worldwide and can be recognised for their small size and navel-like formation at the blossoming end. The navel variety boasts seedless oranges with juicy, sweet-ish tangy segments, making them a fantastic choice for juicing and as a garnish on cakes.

2. Jaffa

Also known as the Shamouti orange, the Jaffa variety is a rough-skinned fruit hailing from the Middle East. The fruit is brightly orange in colour with an oval shape. When cut into segments, you may notice that these are seedless oranges and have a thicker rind that suits well for transport. The fruit is firm, sweet and aromatic, making them a great addition to your fruit salads.

3. Blood Orange

The name itself is a big giveaway to its beauty. These visually striking types of oranges are majorly cultivated in Italy. Its segments, or at times, even the skin, can be pigmented with a deep orange or red colour. The fruit is much sweeter than normal oranges and should be consumed within a few days to avoid fermentation. It pairs well with desserts, mocktails and more.

4. Mandarin

You can easily identify a bunch of mandarin oranges at the farmer’s market. They are small, not quite perfectly round and a bit flat in the middle on both sides of the fruit. Originating in Southeast Asia, mandarin oranges are a major part of the types of oranges cultivated in India. Mandarin oranges have thin rinds and the flesh is devoid of seeds. They are quite the snack and are used in savoury dishes, desserts and also as garnishes.

5. Cara Cara

Amongst other varieties of navel oranges is this sweet fruit. Cara Cara is relatively smaller than the average navel orange but does boast the same navel-like formation at one end. It can also be identified by its coral segments, which should not be confused with blood orange's reddish hue. The fruit boasts a juicy, sweet taste with berry notes to complement your food preparations, juices or desserts. 

6. Clementines

We have a hybrid on the list! Clementines are created by crossing sweet orange trees with mandarins. This gives us a result: thin-rinded, seedless clementine oranges that are easy to peel, making for a quick snack for kids on the go. The segment of clementines are small and quite sweet and go perfectly as cake toppers, or as an add-on for green salads.

7. Kinnow

Another hybrid of the mandarin is the Kinnow orange. These are other popular types of oranges grown in India for their great yield and high juice content. As opposed to normal oranges, Kinnow have thicker rinds and a sour taste to their pulp. These properties make the fruit a sought-after choice for juices or as a tangy addition to marinades and sauces. 

8. Bergamot

The last on our list is a bitter orange, a unique variety boasting a shape that may at times look similar to a pear. Its rind is thick and rough but holds an incredible citrusy aroma that is quite difficult to miss. Since the fruit cannot be eaten as is, its rind is used for making essential oils and teas, while the segments and juice are used in jams and baking desserts. 

From our familiar types of oranges to some unknown ones, you’ve got a whole list now to go off of the next time you are at the supermarket wondering which to pick. They are all beyond delicious and unique, offering a treasure trove of flavours in a single segment. Allow these varieties of oranges to grace your juices and culinary creations today!

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