Freshly squeezed orange juice has a totally different flavor to that of commercially bought juice – it tastes sweeter, brighter, and more freshly-picked.
With the wide array of blisteringly fast home-juicers available, you can wash, cut off the peel, and get freshly squeezed orange juice from your own hand-picked oranges in a matter of minutes in the comfort of your own kitchen.
While Valencia and orange varieties are universally hailed as the most popular choice for making orange juice – routinely described as having an impeccable balance between bittersweet, sour, and acidic notes – other orange varietals may offer unique tastes that could be worth exploring too!
Oranges have long been a favorite of freshly-squeezed juice enthusiasts, but not all oranges for juicing are created equal. Today we’re going to take a deep dive into the 7 best oranges for juicing and explain their health benefits as well as provide you with tips for making the most out of them.
The citrus fruits chosen for juicing bring sweetness to freshly squeezed orange juice without any bitter taste, aftertaste, or worry about very than very few seeds in, allowing you to enjoy freshly made orange juice whenever the craving strikes!
With the right oranges, it’s easy to make your own orange juice and reap the numerous health benefits that come along with it. From boosting your immune system and fighting colds to promoting healthy skin and overall well-being, freshly squeezed orange juice offers almost endless possibilities!
Comparison of the Best Oranges
| Orange | Taste | Texture | Best Use | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia | Sweet and tart flavor, juicier than most other oranges | Smooth, thin, and bright orange skin, moderately juicy flesh | Primarily used for juicing due to their high juice content | Typically available during the summer months |
| Navel | Sweet, with a hint of tanginess, and less acidic | Easy to peel, seedless, and has a characteristic navel-like growth at the blossom end | Consumed fresh as a snack or in salads | Generally available from late fall to early spring |
| Blood | Sweet with a hint of berry-like flavor, less acidic, and unique red flesh due to the presence of anthocyanin pigment | Thin, orange to red skin, and rich, dark red or purple flesh | Eaten fresh, used in desserts, salads, and beverages for their attractive color and unique taste | Blood oranges are typically in season from late winter to early spring |
| Clementines | Sweet, slightly tangy, and less acidic than regular oranges | Easy to peel, usually seedless, and has a glossy, deep orange skin | Eaten as snacks, often packed in lunches due to their convenience and sweet flavor | During the winter months |
| Tangerines | Sweet, tangy, and flavorful with a distinctive citrus aroma | Easy to peel, moderately juicy, and often seedless | Eaten fresh, used in salads, desserts, and beverages | Tangerines are typically in season during late fall and winter |
| Satsuma | Exceptionally sweet, mild, and easy to peel | Thin, loose skin, and very juicy segments | Eaten fresh, popular as a snack, especially among children | Satsuma oranges are in season during late fall and winter |
| Tangelo | Sweet and tart, resembling a combination of tangerine and grapefruit flavors | Easy to peel, often seedless, with a glossy, bright orange skin | Consumed fresh, used in salads, desserts, and juices | Tangelos are typically available from late fall to early spring |
The Seven Best Oranges For Juicing Are
Valencia Oranges
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Taking their name from the Spanish city of Valencia, these oranges were first cultivated in California before eventually becoming synonymous as much juice ever with Texas and Florida’s Orange County. Nowadays they are an integral part of agricultural life!
Valencia oranges are the perfect choice for freshly-squeezed juice! Their vibrant hue, thick skin, and sweet taste make them a favorite amongst juicers, but they also have another distinguishing feature.
Try the best oranges by counting their seeds – you’ll likely find only one to six per orange, making it easy to spot this juicy citrus fruit on sight.
Enjoy a burst of sunshine with Valencia Oranges!
These succulent fruits are perfect for livening up your breakfast routine. With their high juice content and vibrant orange color, you can’t go wrong when incorporating these delicious oranges into any morning meal.
Peak Season
During the spring months, Valencia oranges are in season and at their peak flavor – a perfectly sweet treat for any time of day.
Navel Orange
Navel oranges are the ideal choice for anyone looking to make some delicious orange juice. Affordable, easy-to-peel, and available everywhere, these lip-smacking citrus fruits provide a bountiful juice yield because of their sweet juices with no pesky seeds!
Enjoy the sweet, sunny sweet taste of Navel oranges right away!
Their pulse-pounding flavor will instantly transport you to a tropical paradise — but don’t wait too long; if left unattended, an unwelcome bitterness from limonin may ruin your juice.
Navel oranges are bursting with flavor, making them an ideal snack or ingredient.
Enjoy fresh oranges for their natural sweetness fresh off the tree and juice easily without seeds for a refreshing citrus experience!
Peak Season
For the very sweetest oranges to taste, Navel oranges are at their prime during autumn and winter months! Enjoy them while they’re in-season to get that sweet flavor burst your tastebuds crave.
Blood Orange
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Blood oranges are a unique and tantalizing fruit that lend their vibrant color to every bite.
With their red flesh and an unmistakable red blush on the skin, other oranges, contain Anthocyanin pigment which gives them dramatic deep-red flesh, unlike any other citrus variety.
Packed with a powerful antioxidant, anthocyanins – found in blueberries and blood oranges alike – provide an anticarcinogenic edge to fight diabetes and inflammation.
Blood oranges also carry the most potent dose of vitamins C for a daily boost! Healthier than other kinds of orange, you know what choice is best!
Enjoy the sweet and delicate flavor of blood oranges during those colder months! Sweeter than other orange varieties, popular oranges and their juice have unique floral notes with a hint of raspberry or cranberry.
Perfect for that morning glass of juice in wintertime – it’s like taking a little bit of sunshine into your day.
Blood oranges have a delightful flavor, are an excellent source of nutrients, and possess a stunning hue. Yet when squeezing them for juice it’s important to drink the batch on the same day – as their zesty liquid ferments quickly!
Peak Season
Enjoy a splash of refreshing flavor with the delightful burst of blood oranges, available from February to April!
Clementines
Get into the Christmas spirit with a festive snack of clementine oranges! This variety of mandarins, grown in Algeria and harvested during the winter months, are perfect for quick eating.
With easy-to-peel, thin skin, and minimal seeds, these sweet citrus fruits will make your heart joyful – just like an ‘orange’ Santa Claus flying high on his sleigh filled with gifts!
Though small in size, clementines are packed with a sweet and zesty flavor that makes it hard to resist. The juice is out of this world but making enough for more than one glass may be difficult – better start squeezing!
Get the most out of fresh juice from your frozen orange juice can by heating it up! Give them a quick 15-20 seconds in the microwave followed by rolling on a hard surface to really get their juices flowing.
Enjoy that refreshing, revitalizing glass, and make sure every squeeze is a refreshing drink worth its weight!
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Peak Season
If you’re looking for the perfect clementine, now’s your chance! From November through January is when these tasty treats are at their peak flavor and juiciness. So stock up while they last – it’ll be worth it!
Tangerines
Those looking for an irresistibly convenient snack should definitely try out tangerines! These bite-sized members of the mandarin family are perfect to peel and enjoy – just remember that they’re not your ideal choice if you’re after freshly squeezed juice.
If your Valencia oranges are lacking in flavor, add a few tangerines to make the perfect juice mix. Their natural sweetness will give any orange-based drink that extra oomph you need for an extraordinary citrus experience!
Not only are mandarins sweet and easy to peel, but these citrus fruits offer a wealth of health benefits due to their high vitamin C content.
Peak Season
Enjoy the sweet, juicy tangerine in season – from autumn to early spring these citrus gems are ripe and ready for picking.
Satsuma Oranges
The Satsuma mandarin family is the final addition to the delightful mandarin orange family. Small and delightfully snackable, these juicy oranges invite you on a culinary adventure of flavor. If juicing them up as your favorite drink sounds like fun – make sure to buy in bulk!
Supermarkets stock an abundance of oranges, making it incredibly simple and affordable to purchase a few bags own oranges. Enjoy this tasty fruit experience with ease!
Satsumas may not be the juiciest oranges, but their affordability and accessibility make them an ideal way to add a little extra sweetness to your homemade OJ.
Peak Season
As the leaves of autumn drift away, ushering in a time of crisp winter days and fresh snowfall, we enter into an enchanting period from early November to early January.
Tangelo Oranges
The captivating Tangelo orange is the delightful result of a harmonious fusion between two other citrus fruits; it’s exterior – dark-skinned and crowned with an eye-catching nub – may fool you into thinking it’s just another ordinary orange, but in actuality, these luscious morsels can range from average size to as large as a grapefruit.
Enjoy the perfect blend of zesty sweetness with Tangelos! This citrus superstar is a low-calorie treat that brings together the deliciously sweet, tart, and tangy flavor of grapefruit and sunny orange flavor. Satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard on calories – try Tangelo today for an unforgettable taste sensation.
For an amazing, freshly squeezed citrus treat at home, the Tangelo is hard to beat. Its generous size and high juice yield mean you only need one of these juicy little fruits to fill a glass; plus they offer up a unique sweet-tart flavor that will tantalize your taste buds!
If you’re looking for a truly unique flavor experience, the tangelo is your answer – but they are somewhat difficult to come by. A shopping trip to an out-of-the-way produce store may be in order!
Peak Season
The season of transition – where winter slowly makes way for the bright, warm days of early spring again.
The Benefits of Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Oranges are bursting with vitamins and other helpful compounds, making freshly squeezed orange juice a quick-and-easy way to reap the benefits!
- Packed with immune-boosting power, orange juice is a refreshing way to get 67% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake! It’s not just good for overall health and wellness – it also helps keep gums healthy while promoting strong bones. Now that’s what we call juicy goodness!
- Oranges are a powerhouse of nutrition, packing an antioxidant wallop that keeps your body strong and healthy. Whether you choose the sweet standard orange or delight in more exotic varieties like blood oranges, one thing is for sure – antioxidants will be there to support you!
- Fresh orange juice isn’t just a tasty treat – it can also help you reduce your risk of heart disease! The natural goodness helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, taking care of two major indicators for good health.
- Eliminate preservatives from your diet with freshly juiced oranges! Making juice at home allows you to enjoy the delightfully bold flavor of pure, fresh fruit. Store-bought juices try to add shelf life but this comes with a hidden cost: artificial additives that can ruin the taste and nutrition. Skip those unpleasant extras by squeezing out nature’s own delicious offering – juicy, natural orange goodness.
Tips for Juicing Oranges
Unlock hidden amounts of juice from your oranges with a hot-and-cold technique. For the heat, give them 10 seconds in the microwave to soften and loosen their cells for maximum juicing efficiency. Then use strong pressure by rolling them against your countertop – this will break down those cell walls releasing an even greater quantity of sweet juice and citrusy goodness!
Refresh yourself with homemade orange juice daily by making sure to keep it cool. Store in the refrigerator for optimal flavor and if you want a longer shelf life, freeze your OJ – it will stay delicious for up to one year!
It’s important to pick the perfect vessel for your freshly squeezed juice: choose a container with a snug lid and ALWAYS shake before you drink, as layers of pulp will have collected at the bottom during storage. Enjoy!
What Can You Do With Leftover Orange Pulp?
Get the most from your oranges: don’t let that juicy pulp go to waste! When you make juice or smoothies at home, besides saving money, it’s also a great way to get all of those beneficial vitamins and minerals. Take full advantage of this resourceful cooking technique—your body will thank you for it!
Don’t let that nutritious goodness go to waste! Orange pulp has the power to transform into a thick gel when combined with water, containing lots of fiber and health benefits. Make sure you reap all its rewards in your next glass of fresh freshly squeezed orange juice.
Oranges are a superfood powerhouse, packed with vitamin C and flavonoids. Studies show that including fruit in your diet can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels while providing beneficial blood sugar control for diabetics. Enjoy this tantalizing treat to truly unlock its full potential!
Got oranges? Consider turning them into juice with a masticating juicer and extracting the fiber within. Unsure of bitter flavor or of when to enjoy it? No problem! Freeze it, then spike your water or smoothies down the road for an extra flavor kick – simply pop in some frozen citrusy ice cubes first.
Final Thoughts
With a colorful selection of oranges to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect fruit for any occasion. Whether you’re in search of a sweet flavor or tart flavor, there is an orange out there just waiting to be enjoyed!
- When it comes to unique citrus fruits, the blood orange is definitely a hidden gem. This juicy and delectable fruit offers an exciting blend of sweet and tart flavor that stands out from other family favorites – all coupled with its beautiful dappled red hue!
- Valencia oranges bring a burst of flavor and vibrancy to any glass! Known for their juicy slightly sweeter, using Valencias in your favorite juice recipe or smoothie is sure to make it taste even more heavenly.
With the perfect oranges in your hands, you now have all it takes to create delicious and refreshing juices! Get ready to experience a world of flavor with just a few seeds and one squeeze more juice.
Read more: How long do smoothies last in the fridge?
FAQs
How many oranges does it take to make a glass of juice?
Enjoy a variety of freshly squeezed citrus commercial juices, from plump Valencia to soft and sweet Navel oranges — each type yielding its own unique flavor!
For something more robust, try blending two or three blood oranges; if you’re craving a tart treat go for five-or-six mandarins. Whatever your preference is sure to be delightfully satisfying with homemade juice made just how you like it!
Do I need to peel the other oranges first before juicing?
Skip the peeling for a manual juicer – why is waste of time when you can keep that orange peel on and reap even more health benefits?
With this method, all of those powerhouse vitamins from within will be ready to fuel your day. Just choose some juicy oranges with a good grip so you get every last drop without any nasty stomach aches!
How long can the orange juice stay?
If stored correctly, freshly squeezed orange juice can be a sweet treat whenever your tastebuds need it! Refrigerate it within 2-3 days after squeezing to get the full flavor experience of delicious fresh orange juice! – or freeze for up to 3-4 months if you want that summery taste all year round.
Can I use the zest of these oranges in cooking or baking?
Yes, the zest of these oranges is highly aromatic and flavorful. It can be used in cooking, baking, or even for garnishing dishes to enhance their taste.
Can I mix different orange varieties for a unique juice blend?
Absolutely! Mixing different orange varieties can create a more complex and interesting flavor profile. Experimenting with blends can lead to delightful and customized juice combinations.
Why are some oranges better for juicing than others?
Certain orange varieties have a higher juice content, lower acidity, and a sweeter taste, making them ideal choices for juicing. These qualities ensure a flavorful and refreshing juice.
