When Are Oranges in Season?

Oranges get a big thumbs-up from Fetch 👍 Famously packed to the pith with vitamin C, these citrus stars can be juiced, preserved, used in a whole legion of recipes, or simply enjoyed segment by segment as a healthy snack.

Truly a top-tier fruit. If nothing rhymes with “orange,” it’s because nothing deserves to.

When are oranges in season? Modern cultivation practices keep them available year round, but die-hard orange enjoyers will find:

• Navel oranges peak between November and January.
• Temple oranges are at their best from December through March.
• Blood orange varieties come into their own from December through April.

Sales do spike between March/June and September/November, but don’t worry about pricing changes. Oranges cost about the same whenever you pick them up. Plus, when you download the Fetch grocery app, you can earn rewards on grocery purchases all throughout the year.

Get rewarded for healthy eating with Fetch Shop 

You’re already adding fresh produce to your grocery list each week, so why not get something in return for choosing to eat healthy? With Fetch Shop, you’ll earn points per dollar on the purchases you make at select stores when placing your order through the app, which means the more fruit and veggies you add to your list, the more rewards you’ll earn. Whether you’re scheduling a grocery pickup at Target using their Drive Up service or stocking up for a big get-together shopping online at Sam’s Club, you can turn your produce into Fetch Points that can be redeemed for free gift cards when grocery shopping with Fetch Shop.

To earn rewards on fresh produce with Fetch Shop:

1. Download Fetch.
2. Open the app, and navigate to Fetch Shop; on your “Discover” (home) tab, you’ll find the Fetch Shop icon directly to the left of the camera icon at the bottom of your screen.
3. Once in Fetch Shop, scroll to the “Food & Drink” category, click where it says, “See all,” then find the grocery retailer of your choice, and select that store.
4. Tap “Go shopping!” and then simply grocery shop online as you would normally. And don’t forget to add those fruits and veggies to your cart to rack up even more points!

Orange you glad you now know about Fetch? 🍊

Do oranges grow on trees?

Oranges grow on both full-size and dwarf trees wherever climates are hot enough to sustain them. Asia, Africa, South America, the Mediterranean, and North America all produce this ubiquitous perennial, though the United States and Brazil remain the world’s leading producers.

Most of our oranges are consumed right here in the United States. Top growing states include California, Arizona, Texas, and (of course) Florida.

How to pick oranges at the grocery store

You deserve great oranges, and now you’re going to get them. Here’s how to tell when an orange is ripe and ready to wow your tastebuds:

• Inspect: Shades vary between types of orange, but all take on vibrant colors when ripe.
• Squeeze: Firm, smooth, and thin skins indicate the tastiest, juiciest oranges.
• Smell: Pick oranges with a fresh, aromatic smell, especially when you’ll be using the zest.
• Weigh: Lighter oranges tend to be pithy and dry, while juicy ripeness lends a heaviness.

How to store oranges

Don’t sleep on proper storage just because oranges are available year-round. Flavor and shelf life will suffer alike, and what’s the point of saving on groceries when food is allowed to go bad?

Place oranges in plastic mesh bags and store them in your fridge’s crisper drawer. They’ll last up to a month thanks to the cool temperatures and ample airflow, whereas oranges relegated to countertops typically start to turn within a week.

You can also store cut oranges in a refrigerated airtight container for use within a week or freeze whole oranges in zip-lock bags.

How to peel and eat oranges

Oranges are like Ivy League colleges: richly rewarding, but hard to get into.

Not anymore. Not once you grasp the tactical use of a spoon. Simply grab a normal spoon and small paring knife, then score around the center of each orange with your knife just deep enough so you don’t puncture the fleshy segments. Now insert the handle of your spoon and work it around until the peel releases, then do the same for the other half.

Presto! Effortless breakdown of the citrus stronghold.

How many calories are in an orange?

One medium-sized orange contains a mere 60 calories, and they punch well above their weight in nutritional terms. Every variety has over 100% of the daily recommended vitamin C your body needs to protect cells from damage, boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, and even reduce stress levels.

Can dogs eat oranges?

Sure, as an occasional healthy snack, but only in moderation, though – the acidity and sugar content can cause digestive problems when a dog overindulges. Also, it’s only the fleshy part of the fruit that’s safe for dogs. Both the rind and seeds can cause health problems and pose choking hazards.

Can cats eat oranges?

No. No. A million times no.

Oranges contain several compounds that are toxic to cats. Even the peel and leaves can pose risks, including depression of the central nervous system, and an orange’s abundance of sugar can lead to obesity or diabetes in any case. Cats can’t taste an orange’s sweetness the way humans and canines can anyway. Maybe that’s why they’re sometimes mean to dogs.

Try our favorite easy orange recipes

Nothing wrong with enjoying oranges segment by segment, but why stop there? We’ve put together a quick look at our own top orange recipes. Each is quick, simple, and good to keep in your back pocket when you’re shopping frugally for one and end up with more oranges than you can immediately use.

How to make orange juice

Does fresh orange juice involve a little more work? Yes. Is it worth it? Once again, yes. We’re also firm believers that fresh juice makes sensational cocktails, so why not combine with some Wycliff California Champagne for a world-class mimosa or Absolut vodka for a first-rate screwdriver?

Ingredients:

• 4 oranges (makes approx. 3 servings)

Recipe:

1. Loosen the juice by microwaving each orange for about 10 seconds, then lightly tapping each against the counter.
2. Cut each orange in half and either squeeze directly into the glass or use a citrus reamer – pick up one with a strainer or pass the juice through fine mesh if you’re a smooth OJ kinda person.

How to make dried orange slices

Dried orange slices make your home smell like the holidays when hung as decorations or bring deeper flavors to mulled cider, stews, and stocks. They’re also impressive enough to let friends and family know you’re a domestic deity but require no special tools or experience!

Ingredients:

• As many oranges as you’d like

Recipe:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°.
2. Wash and dry your oranges, then slice into 1/4-inch rounds and place on a double layer of paper towels and pat dry to soak up any juice.
3. Once dry, place orange rounds in a single layer on an oven-safe baking rack.
4. Sprinkle both sides with confectioner’s sugar, then put the baking rack on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for one hour.
5. Increase oven temp to 180° and bake for another hour, then to 190° for another hour.
6. Turn every 30 mins until they’re just about dry, then remove from the oven and place on a drying rack until totally dry and ready to use or store.

How to make candied oranges

We love candied oranges for decorating desserts or dipping in chocolate. Sweet, chewy, and deceptively simple to make, these sugar-coated treats also make perfect holiday gifts.

Ingredients:

• Ice water
• 8 cups (1920 ml) of water, divided
• 4 small oranges
• 4 cups (800 g) of granulated sugar, plus extra for coating

Recipe:

1. Fill a large bowl with ice water, then set aside.
2. Add 4 cups (960 ml) of regular water to a saucepan, then bring to a boil.
3. Add orange slices and boil for 2 minutes, then transfer to the bowl of ice water.
4. Discard the previous boiled orange water, then add the remaining 4 cups (960 ml) of water and your sugar to the saucepan.
5. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring regularly until all the sugar dissolves
6. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the orange slices.
7. Simmer for 45 to 60 mins until rinds are slightly translucent, swirling gently every 15 minutes to ensure an even coating.
8. Transfer slices to a cooling rack placed over a large baking sheet and let sit for up to 24 hours or until dry.
9. Dip in granulated sugar, if desired, then enjoy right away or store in a refrigerated airtight container for up to 1 month.

Earn rewards on all your produce purchases with Fetch Shop

Well, precious Fetch fam, here we are at the end of another article. We laughed. We bonded. We learned about oranges. We learned about ourselves. There was that tip about the spoon. Lovely stuff, just like the free gift cards you’ll earn by snapping pics of your receipts in the Fetch app or shopping directly online through Fetch Shop. Gosh, we really brought that full circle.