By: Shannon Cameron

A Brief History of the Orange: The orange originated in Southern China, Northeastern India, and Southeastern Asia (formerly Indochina). The orange is thought to be brought to the Mediterranean area by Italian traders after 1450 or by Portuguese navigators by In the beginning, the orange was mainly used for medicinal purposes. By 1646 the orange had become a popular edible fruit. It is believed that the French took the Orange to Louisiana, and from New Orleans seeds were distributed to Florida.

History Continued… By 1872 many orange groves were established in Florida. Of all the fruits, the orange tree is the most popularly grown tree. The scientific name for the orange is Citrus sinenis. The orange comes from the family of the Rutaceae.

Why eat oranges? Oranges are high in Vitamin C. One medium size orange contains about 50mg of vitamin C. Oranges act as a detoxifying fruit because of their acid. Citrus fruits are a good source of folate, which can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

What’s in an Orange: High in vitamin C Potassium Carotene Fiber Vitamin A Thiamine (B1) Riboflavin Niacin Iron Phosphorus

What does that mean? Vitamin C is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin. It is important in forming collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron, and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth. Potassium is an essential element needed for the growth and formation of your body. Potassium is used to maintain a fluid and electrolyte balance in your body’s cells. “Potassium is also important in sending nerve impulses as well as releasing energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism.” Carotenes are what gives the orange it’s color. Carotenes are important during the process of photosynthesis. The human body can convert beta-carotene into Vitamin A. In humans carotenes function as an antioxidant. Thiamin, also known as Vitamin B1, helps with the formation of blood, which may help with circulation. Thiamin also assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Thiamin is also required to maintain a healthy nervous system.

Continued… Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin, it is also known as Vitamin B2. Riboflavin is used in the body to release energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism. Niacin is also known as Vitamin B3. It is used by the body for cell respiration and helps in the release of energy and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Niacin is also important for good circulation, healthy skin, the nervous system, and normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids. Iron is part of the body’s hemoglobin (oxygen carrying part of the blood). It is also part of the myoglobin, which is used to store oxygen in the muscle cells. “Phosphates are important substances in the human body, because they are a part of DNA materials and they take part in energy distribution.” en.htm

Varieties & Nutrition Facts: Naval Valencia Moro (Blood) Hamlin Homosassa Jaffa Parson Brown Pineapple Queen

Pictures of Oranges: Juice Form Sliced Sectioned

More pictures… Midknight Orange Navel Orange The “Navel” Florida Orange

More pictures… Florida Fall-Glo Orange SeedsBlood Orange Valencia Orange Photos by Shannon Cameron

Orange Frost 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 banana, frozen 1 tablespoon non-fat milk powder Dash cinnamon or nutmeg 2 ice cubes Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy. Serve in 2 chilled glasses. Makes 2 servings. From Chuck Zonta

Orange Pancakes 1.5+ cup of pancake mix 1/2 cup no-fat milk or water 1/2 cup orange juice 4 egg whites 1 teaspoon of orange extract orange grind if you like pam spray I like Arrowhead Mills pancake mixes. They have a variety of them - buckwheat, wholewheat, multigrain, etc. Just mix up all the above to the consistency you like for thickness by adding more of the pancake mix - I like a really crepe style pancake so I can roll them and fill them with All Fruit and lemon juice or low salt fat-free pie fillings (Pet Cherry) and top them with the low or no-fat version of Cool Whip - This makes an awesome desert. The orange flavor combined with the spongy quality of the cakes due to the egg whites is really a wonderful treat. You can adapt this recipe to French toast too. Just mix together the egg whites and the orange juice and orange extract, plus add some cinnimon. It is especially good when using a heavy whole grain breads, heavy breads or fruit bread that's gone stale. From (Donna Davenport)

Juicy Orange Oh, I wish I was a little juicy orange! (juicy orange!) Oh, I wish I was a little juicy orange! (juicy orange!) I’d go squirty, squirty, squirty, over everybody’ shirty! Oh, I wish I was a little juicy orange! (juicy orange!)

Orange Jokes Q: Why did the orange stop rolling down the hill? A: It ran out of juice. Q: Why did the blonde stare at frozen orange juice can for 2 hours? A: Because it said 'concentrate'.

Works Cited: internet/ internet/