Orange

Orange is a round citrus fruit with a bright orange rind and segmented, juicy flesh. Its flavor balances sweet and tangy with aromatic oils concentrated in the zest, and the juice brightens drinks, dressings, and desserts. Zest lifts batters and sauces, while segments and supremes add color to salads and salsas; commonly sold as navel, Valencia, and blood types.

Sweet orange originated in Southeast Asia and China, then moved west via trade into the Mediterranean. It spread through Iberia and into the Americas with colonial plantings, establishing major citrus belts. Modern orchards use grafted trees and harvest from winter into summer depending on variety.