| Available: February through October, with peak | | | | Valencia oranges origins are in Spain during the 16th |
| supplies in May, June and July. | | | | century. The Spaniards were world travelers and |
| If you want to experience the great taste of | | | | when they eventually arrived in Florida they brought |
| Valencia oranges, you can only get that from Indian | | | | their agricultural knowledge with them. Because of |
| River Florida. The growers there know how to | | | | their agricultural knowledge we now have humongous |
| cultivate these prized oranges. Valencia oranges make | | | | acreage of Valencia oranges. Valencia oranges are |
| cherished fruit basket gifts for friends and family all | | | | popular for juicing because of their sweetness. |
| over the world. | | | | Commercial processors prefer this variety or oranges |
| With a golden like skin color when fully ripened, | | | | for canning and bottling. |
| Valencia oranges are juicy, delicious and refreshing. | | | | The Valencia orange tree grows easily. The seed |
| Do not be fooled by the greenish color of some of | | | | produces a medium sized tree with oval dark green |
| them during the harvest season. They are just as | | | | leaves. This late season fruit fills the supply when |
| sweet as the ones having the golden colored skin. As | | | | navel oranges are out of season. This hardy citrus |
| a matter of fact they retain the same sugar content | | | | tree can grow in almost any type of soil. The full |
| and sweetness even when the skin is green. This | | | | harvest ripens in February or March. In warm coastal |
| "green phenomenon" occurs when the oranges | | | | regions, Valencia Orange trees produce large bumper |
| remain on the tree longer than they should during the | | | | crops. In colder regions they also produce fruits but in |
| warmer weather if they are not picked in a timely | | | | a more controlled environment like a green house. |
| manner. When this occurs, the outer skin re-absorbs | | | | Farmers like to make them available to shoppers |
| the chlorophyll from the leaves and the oranges skin | | | | because they have lots of juice with a tasty flavor. |
| turn green again. Be assured that inside the fruit pulp | | | | One good thing about Valencia oranges is that you |
| is still fully ripe, sweet, and juicy and full of flavor. | | | | can have two crops a year, the old year and the |
| As always, when you are selecting any citrus you | | | | new one. If you live in the Indian River, Florida region |
| should get value for your money. So, select oranges | | | | you can witness this for yourself. You can experience |
| that are firm and heavy for their size. Those are the | | | | the wonders of nature first hand! |
| ones that have a lot of juice. You should look for the | | | | The "King of Juice Oranges." as they are called is |
| ones with the thinnest and smoothest textured skin | | | | responsible for over half the Florida citrus crop. The |
| just by observation. Do not select Valencia oranges | | | | next time you want to feel like a "king' drive over to |
| that have soft spots, or have faded color or appear | | | | your nearest fruit store and get some Valencia |
| to have grooved and/or wrinkled skin. Valencia | | | | oranges and also check out the link in my resource |
| oranges do have seeds. | | | | box for more information. |