What Are Valencia Oranges?

If you're constantly looking for a way to extend the bright and flavorful citrus season, then we're here to introduce you to the one and only summer orange, the Valencia orange. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the sweet fruit.

What Are Valencia Oranges?

A Valencia orange is a citrus fruit that is known for its sweet flavor. Valencia oranges look much like your typical oranges, with an oval shape, golden color on the outside, and bright orange flesh on the inside. They have a thin skin and a couple of seeds and they are typically very juicy.

Valencia oranges are named after Valencia, Spain, but they are believed to have actually originated in California in the late 1800s. Even though it does have a few seeds, the Valencia quickly became the most popular orange for juicing, which is likely due to the fact that they have little to no limonin.

Limonin is a natural compound found in many other oranges, like navel oranges, that can cause the juice of the fruit to turn bitter when exposed to air. Because Valencia oranges don't have much limonin, its juice will remain perfectly sweet even after air exposure.

What Does a Valencia Orange Taste Like?

Valencia oranges are sweet and juicy. They have a balanced sweet-to-tart flavor ratio that carries over to their juice. Valencia oranges are believed to be a hybrid cross of pomelos and mandarins, which explains their sweetness.

When Are Valencia Oranges In Season?

Valencia oranges are in season and available from March to September, but their peak season is from April to June. So they are widely available during the spring and summer months, while most other oranges are only available during the winter months.

Where to Buy Valencia Oranges

Because they are the only summer orange, Valencia oranges are quite easy to find in grocery stores or at local farmers' markets. They are mainly grown in California and Florida, so they are especially easy to find in those states, but they are shipped nationwide.

When shopping, you may notice some Valencia oranges have green spots on their skin. That doesn't mean they're not ripe, rather, it's simply because they're a summer fruit. The extra sunlight and warmth that summer oranges get compared to winter oranges can activate the chlorophyll in the skin. These chlorophyll spots don't impact the orange's flavor or mean there's a problem with the orange.

When choosing a Valencia orange, look for an orange that's heavy for its size and doesn't have any bruising or soft spots.

How to Store Valencia Oranges

Like most oranges, you can store Valencia oranges at room temperature for up to a week. The best place to store Valencias, if you want to keep them fresh for longer, is in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. In the fridge, Valencia oranges will last a few weeks.

How to Use Valencia Oranges

First and foremost, Valencia oranges can be enjoyed straight out of hand and they are also the most common orange used to make fresh orange juice. Additionally, you can use Valencia oranges' flesh, juice, and zest in baked goods, cocktails, sauces, and marinades.

Now that you're a Valencia orange pro, try one of these delicious recipes:

• Orange Shrimp Spinach Salad
• Valencia Orange Sunset Pie
• Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Crema
• Orange Crush! Fresh Squeezed Orange and Vodka Cocktail

Related:

• 13 Types of Oranges You Need to Know About
• 11 Outrageously Good Orange Cake Recipes
• More Orange Recipes