Shamouti Orange

The Shamouti orange is also widely known as the Jaffa Orange, named after the city of Jaffa. It is a Palestinian variety that became the flagship export fruit of the region in the 19th century. It gained international fame for its quality.

The Shamouti orange is highly prized for its thick, easy-peeling skin and sweet, nearly seedless flesh. Unlike some other oranges, it is very easy to separate the rind from the fruit. It has a distinct oval shape rather than being perfectly round.

The Shamouti orange originated as a Palestinian variety developed around the city of Jaffa. It became a massive agricultural export for the region starting in the 19th century. The warm climate of the area was perfect for developing its sweet flavor.

Because of its sweet flavor, low acidity, and high juice content, the Shamouti orange is heavily used for both fresh eating and juicing. Its durability during transport historically made it a premier export fruit. It remains a popular commercial citrus variety today.