Orange

Oranges are a fruit belonging to the citrus group. They are obtained from the sweet orange tree, bitter orange tree and other varieties of this tree. 

This fruit contains a large amount of water and electrolytes, which makes it an excellent option to hydrate the body, especially in the summer. This is especially true if you squeeze it into juice.

The scientific name of the orange is Citrus x sinensis and belongs to the Rutaceae family. 

Although Greek mythology links the golden fruits of the Garden of the Hesperides with oranges, this citrus fruit originates not in Europe, but in East Asia, about 4,000 years ago.

They were soon grown throughout the East and it was the Arabs who began growing oranges in Spain, in the Middle Ages. From Spain, they would spread throughout Europe. Later, it was Columbus who introduced this fruit to the Americas.

• There are 4 basic types of sweet orange: navel, white (including the Valencia late, Salustiana, Pineapple, Hamlin or Cadenera varieties), sucrenas (including the Sucreña, Lima and Succari varieties) and blood or red oranges (including the Sanguinelli, Tarocco Rosso and Moro varieties).
• It is one of the most popular fruits in the world, as it has excellent nutritional properties and is grown all over the planet.
• According to FAO, in 2021, the world production of this citrus fruit was about ​​75.5 million tonnes, with Brazil being the world's largest producer of oranges (a quarter of world production comes from this country). 
• Spain ranks 6th in terms of production, but it is the main exporting country in the world; while the Valencian region is the main exporting region worldwide. 
• The Valencia Late orange is the most consumed variety worldwide; it is also the one most often used in Spain to make juice. But do not be fooled by its name; this variety is native to California. Although it is one of the most frequently grown oranges in the Valencian region, next to the navel orange. It is called “late” because it matures in late spring. 
• As a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that the mascot of the 1982 World Cup held in Spain was “Naranjito”, an orange dressed in the kit of the Host Team, hinting at its popularity and importance to the Spanish economy. Meanwhile, in China, this fruit is a symbol of good luck and is eaten when celebrating the Chinese New Year. And in Vietnam, newlyweds are given oranges, as a symbol and wish for fertility.