How to Harvest and Store Oranges

The word orange has become practically synonymous with vitamin C. And, in fact, oranges are the primary source of this essential vitamin for most Americans. But that tough, colorful skin contains plenty of other nutrients too, namely calcium, potassium, thiamin, niacin, magnesium and a generous dose of folacin.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baskets
• Dwarf Orange Trees
• Garden Shears
• Gardening Gloves
• Juicers
• Baskets

1. Harvest Valencia oranges - the most widely grown kind - throughout the year; harvest navel oranges in winter and spring.

2. Pick oranges - and all citrus fruits - when they're fully ripe. Taste one to tell for sure. Color is not a good indicator of ripeness because it can vary with the time of year.

3. Twist the fruit from the tree gently, or snip it off with clippers. Either way, take care not to damage the twigs on the tree.

4. Store oranges at room temperature to keep them at their juiciest. They should keep well for close to two weeks.

5. Keep oranges unwrapped in the refrigerator if you like to eat them cold.

6. Avoid storing oranges in unperforated plastic bags; moisture trapped inside could encourage mold growth.

Tips & Warnings

• The albedo - the white membrane under the skin of an orange - contains more vitamin C than the flesh. It also holds much of the fruit's pectin, a soluble fiber that may help lower cholesterol levels.
• If you crave the sweet scent of orange blossoms and fresh-from-the-tree fruit but your climate prohibits such luxury, grow a dwarf orange tree in a pot. Calamondin is a good choice; it bears fragrant, white flowers and small, tart fruits about an inch across.

[Noahrob]

on 10/15/2008 Can oranges be taken from the tree when they're green and stored in a sunny place to ripen? They are already a good size.