
How do I choose the best Cara cara oranges?
11 Reasons to Love Cara Cara Oranges
- They’re unique. ...
- They’re similar to grapefruits. ...
- You don’t have to pucker up! ...
- The Cara Cara Orange has nodes of sweet berry flavors. ...
- These oranges are extremely juicy and refreshing. ...
- They have the benefits of a healthy snack. ...
- Cara Cara Oranges fit into our climate perfectly within multiple growing zones. ...
- This orange tree makes the perfect container tree. ...
What is the difference between a Cara Cara and navel orange?
Once open, you'll see that a navel orange has the traditional orange color. On the other hand, Cara Cara oranges are deep pink, similar to a grapefruit. Cara Cara oranges are also sweeter and less acidic than navel oranges. One final benefit is that navel oranges typically have seeds, while Cara Cara oranges do not.
Where can you buy Cara cara oranges?
You can find Cara Cara oranges in most larger supermarkets from December to early May. Where Can I Buy Cara Cara Orange Trees? Whether you are buying one tree for your patio or 1,000 trees for your orchard operation, Nature Hills Nursery has the plants and the plant expertise you need.
Do Cara cara oranges have grapefruit in it?
Cara Cara oranges have seedless, gorgeous, pinkish-red and orange flesh that resembles the color of a Ruby Red Grapefruit all thanks to the natural presence of lycopene. On top of that, Cara Cara oranges have tender, succulent, intensely juicy flesh.

Is cara cara juice orange?
Cara caras are available during the winter season, particularly December to February in the US, and they are grown wherever oranges grow naturally. They're considered the tastiest orange for fresh juice or smoothies.
What's the difference between a cara cara and an orange?
While navel oranges offer the typical translucent yellow-orange segmented flesh, Cara Caras have distinctive red-pink flesh. This coloring comes from the natural presence of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that also lends its rosy hue to tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit.
Why are oranges called cara cara?
Cara Cara oranges are pink-fleshed citrus fruits that originated as a mutation that occurred on a Washington Navel orange tree in 1976. The first mutated fruit was found at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela and thus was given the name Cara Cara.
Is a cara cara an orange or grapefruit?
Even though they resemble a grapefruit, they are 100% orange. Only, these Cara Cara Oranges have such sweet flavors that you don't need to add any sugar like a grapefruit often requires!
Why are Cara Cara oranges so hard to peel?
Peeling a Cara Cara Orange Like other citrus fruits, cara cara orange peels are made of a thin layer of waxy skin that contains tiny pockets of citrus oil. Beneath the layer of zest is a thick and inedible white pith that surrounds the ball of soft individual sections of cara cara orange.
Do Cara Cara oranges interact with statin drugs?
Cara cara oranges are technically a navel orange type and do not contain furanocoumarin compounds known to interact with statins (cholesterol medicines).
What is the sweetest orange?
Navel Orange – considered to be one of the sweetest orange varieties you can find in winter. Navels are seedless oranges with a distinguishable “navel-like” formation found opposite the stem end which is caused by a rudimentary second fruit that grew inside the skin of the primary fruit.
What is the best eating orange?
Navels are part of the winter citrus family. They're seedless, peel easily, and are thought to be one of the world's best-tasting oranges.
Which type of orange is healthiest?
Navel orangesNavel oranges are one of the healthiest fruits in the world. High in fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C, they're one of the most beneficial low-calorie snacks you can eat.
What is a half orange half grapefruit called?
An orangelo (Spanish chironja – C. paradisi × C. sinensis) is a hybrid citrus fruit believed to have originated in Puerto Rico. The fruit, a cross between a grapefruit and an orange, had spontaneously appeared in the shade-providing trees grown on coffee plantations in the Puerto Rican highlands.
Are Cara Cara oranges good for diabetics?
Oranges come in wide varieties – Valencia, Navel, Blood orange, Mandarin, Caracara, and Seville. All are loaded with powerful antioxidants and are nutritious enough to enhance your overall health management, causing no harm to your blood glucose levels.
Can you eat cara cara orange peels?
Lycopene, which gives the cara cara orange its bright reddish color, is an important antioxidant has been seen to reduce the risk of heart disease when eating on a regular basis. How should I eat cara cara oranges? Peel the skin and enjoy the segments! Peel the skin, split in segments and add to your favorite salad!
What does a cara orange taste like?
To get a sense of what cara cara orange tastes like, imagine a ripe, juicy orange that has an essence of strawberry and less acidity.
Is a cara orange the same as a navel orange?
Outside, cara cara orange looks nearly identical to the navel oranges you already know and love. Cara cara oranges are slightly smaller than a softball with a pithy orange peel (the zest is amazing) and individual citrus fruit sections inside.
What is a cara orange?
A Cara Cara Orange is the result of the cross-pollination of a Washington Navel Orange and a Brazilian Bahia Navel Orange. Once the orange blossoms are pollinated, medium-sized oranges with red to pink flesh and an incredibly sweet citrus flavor are created.
What zone do cara caras grow in?
Even if your area freezes or gets a little snow, your Cara Caras will thrive in growing zones 8 to 11. 8. The orange tree is the perfect container tree. Grow it indoors or out in a pot and watch it flourish. It will look great on the porch, patio, and inside of your home.
When were red fleshed oranges discovered?
Cara Cara Oranges, also known as ‘Red Fleshed Navel Oranges’, are young. They were discovered in 1976 in Venezuela, but they didn’t make their way to US markets until the ’80s and were only sold in select markets.
Can you grow oranges indoors?
Though it's cold outside, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the exotic taste of juicy, sweet oranges, tangerines, clementines, and more (especially since you can grow them indoors!). Plus, there’s a new, popular orange on the scene that’s delicious and easy to grow: the Cara Cara Orange.
Is orange sour or sweet?
They’re low in acid – so they aren’t so ur like other types of citrus, instead these oranges are full of sweet flavors.
Can you squeeze oranges for juice?
With every bite, thirst-quenching juices spill out. Plus, squeezing these oranges for juice is easy and provides a delicious homemade beverage.
What is a cara orange?
Cara cara oranges are a special cultivar of a navel orange that are distinguished by their rosy flesh. Depending on the fruit, the color may range from a pinkish to a deep red, much like that of the grapefruit. Unlike grapefruits, however, these oranges are very low in acid, with a naturally sweet flavor. Some people feel that they are superior ...
Where did cara caras originate?
Cara caras were discovered at the Hacienda de Cara Cara in Venezuela in 1976, and their origins were a bit unclear, leading some people to classify them as a mutation, rather than a true cross; navel oranges are themselves a mutation, and they have not been known to propagate themselves spontaneously. By the 1980s, cara caras had reached the United ...
What zone are cara oranges grown in?
Cara cara oranges can be grown in USDA zones 11 and above.
When is orange season?
The season for these oranges peaks at the height of winter, meaning that they are available primarily in December and January in the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike the blood orange, another orange with a distinctive pigment, the rind of the cara cara does not betray ...
Do orange trees need water?
Like other oranges, the plants like lots of sun, fertile soil, and plenty of water to thrive. The fruit must be protected from frost, especially when it is setting, and the roots should be mulched to help the trees retain water. Mary McMahon.
Do cara oranges taste good with granola?
Some people feel that they are superior to other navel orange varieties in flavor, and they are often in high demand in produce markets when they are in season. Cara cara oranges taste good with granola. This variety of orange is believed to have developed accidentally, perhaps through a cross of other varietals.
How big is a cara orange?
Cara Cara oranges are medium to large in size, averaging 7-10 centimeters in diameter, and are round to slightly oblong in shape. The bright orange rind is medium-thick, glossy, and covered in prominent oil glands creating a pebbled texture. Underneath the surface of the rind, the white pith clings to the flesh and has a light, spongy texture.
How long does cara orange last?
The fruit will keep 3-4 days when stored at room temperature and up to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
When are cara oranges available?
Cara Cara oranges are available in the late summer, fall and winter through early spring.
What is the nutritional value of cara oranges?
Nutritional Value. Cara Cara oranges are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, folate, potassium, and the carotenoid lycopene, which is an antioxidant that gives the fruit its pink flesh.
What are cara caras used for?
These navels are perfect for healthy snacking and can be used in a variety of recipes since there are no seeds. Cara cara can add the perfect flavor to salsa, fruit salads, greens, and fish marinade. If you are a fan of cocktails, it’s a perfect addition to cocktails and complements rose wine. In addition, you can dip the cara cara slices in ...
What color are blood oranges?
Blood Oranges. As the name suggests, these oranges have a dark red color. These oranges have lesser acidity with a much sweeter flavor. We don’t mind saying that it has strawberry and raspberry flavor undertones.
How long can you keep blood orange juice?
On the other hand, the blood orange juice can be stored for a few days in a sealed jar (the juice must be refrigerated). As far as nutrition is concerned, it’s a great source of fiber, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and fat.
Where did oranges originate?
These oranges originate from Valencia and were first identified in 1976. These are medium-sized navels known for a sweet flavor. These navels are seedless and have low acid content. It has a minimum to low pith, which makes it quick and easy to separate from the ring.
When do blood oranges come out?
Blood oranges are readily available in winter and spring. In particular, they come out around December and will be available till April. For the most part, blood oranges are grown in Spain, Italy, and California. The most intriguing part is that these oranges won’t ripe once they are plucked from the tree.
Is there only one type of orange?
Oranges have always been the favorite citrus fruit for their sweet and slightly sour flavor. However, there is not only one type of orange out there, which is why we are talking about cara cara vs. blood oranges. In this article, we are sharing the differences between these two types of oranges!
Can blood oranges be stored?
The best thing about blood oranges is that they can be stored for a longer time. Even more, there are various varieties of blood oranges available in the market, such as moro, tarocco, and sanguinello. Moro is famous in the US, tarocco originates from Italy, and sanguinello has its roots in Spain.
How much vitamin C is in cara oranges?
Furthermore, aside from their supreme taste and beautiful coloring, Cara Cara oranges contain 20 per cent more vitamin C and 30 per cent more vitamin A when compared to regular Navels. *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
What is a navel orange?
Navel oranges are winter oranges that are large, sweet, richly-flavored and juicy. Navels are so named due to the undeveloped second fruit that grew at the apex of the main fruit that look like a human navel or bellybutton from the outside.
Where was the Navel orange first planted?
The Navel is a spontaneous mutation of a Laranja Selecta orange found out around 1820s at a monastery in Brazil. It was first planted in Southern California in the 1870s and helped the citrus industry in California that resulted in much of the economic development of the state.
What oranges are in season in winter?
Winter may be white and freezing but that does not mean that life will be colorless. Actually, you will find certain oranges in season in winter, like the sweet Navel orange and the pink-fleshed Cara Cara orange.
