Valencia Orange

While Navel oranges are primarily eaten as fresh fruit, Valencia oranges are the world's most widely grown orange variety for juice production because of their high juice content. Valencia oranges also contain very few seeds, whereas Navel oranges are completely seedless.

Valencia oranges contain a natural compound called limonin, which can cause the freshly squeezed juice to turn bitter and slightly brown over time. This natural oxidation occurs when the juice is exposed to air, so it is best consumed immediately.

Unlike winter Navel oranges, Valencia oranges are often referred to as 'summer oranges' because their peak harvest runs from March to October. This long season makes them the primary source of fresh orange juice during the warmer months.

The Valencia orange originated in the Azores or Spain and was ultimately named after the city of Valencia, Spain. It was introduced to the United States in the 19th century, where it quickly became the backbone of the Florida citrus industry.