The difference between Valencia oranges and navel oranges: does green fruit mean it's unripe?

Navel oranges ("winter" oranges) and Valencia oranges ("summer" oranges) are similar in taste and appearance, but what is the difference between them? Oranges are one of the most commonly grown fruits in the world, and both Valencia and navel are classified as sweet oranges of the genus Citrus. From the outside, the feature that can most easily help you tell them apart is the one that gave the navel orange its name: the navel! (Valencia has none.)

 

A navel orange actually grows as a second "twin" fruit opposite the stem. The second fruit remains underdeveloped, but from the outside it resembles a human navel - hence the name. Navel oranges are part of the winter citrus family. They are seedless, easy to peel, and considered one of the best-tasting oranges in the world.

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Valencia oranges (usually starting in March and lasting until around September) are named after the Spanish city of Valencia, but their actual origin is unknown. Valencia oranges usually have thin skin and contain some seeds, so outside the typical citrus season they have higher juice content and availability. They are considered one of the best oranges for juicing.

 

A medium orange of any variety has only about 60 calories, providing 116% of the daily value of vitamin C; 13% dietary fiber; 10% folate; 8% thiamine; 7% potassium; 6% vitamin A; and 5% calcium. This makes them a delicious snack at any time of day.

 

Green is easy!

If you see a hint of green on a Valencia orange, don't be intimidated - it doesn't mean the fruit is unripe. Because Valencia oranges grow in the warm season, they are exposed to more sunlight, which triggers the production of chlorophyll in the peel, helping to protect the fruit from sunburn. This process is called "regreening."

 

Green oranges are fully ripe and still taste sweet! In fact, Emily Ayala of Friend's Ranch in Ojai, California, grower of wonderful Pixie tangerines and other citrus, told The FruitGuys, "Some of our data show that green citrus contains more sugar than dark orange fruit."