Discover When Oranges Are in Peak Season Across the U.S.

There’s nothing quite like the vibrant burst of oranges to bring a little sunshine into your day. They’re perfect to cool off during a breezy summer day or to spruce up a chilly winter evening. This citrus superstar is truly both a treat for the taste buds as well as a powerhouse of nutrients. Knowing that, it’s no surprise why they are an unquestionable favorite across the world. The United States is the third largest citrus producer in the world, and loves this fruit in all of its forms!

Oranges are often peeled and eaten fresh, or mixed into a dizzying array of delicious recipes. Classics like orange chicken, marmalade, and clementine cake show us only a sample of the zesty dishes that exist. It’s important to know when they’re at their prime to truly enjoy these juicy delights, though. In other words, their peak season, or the time of year when the fruits are the most abundant, affordable, and flavorful.

Without further ado, let’s peel back the layers of this mystery once and for all. Prepare to get fruity as we explore the peak season of oranges across the U.S.!

Oranges Across the Calendar

Oranges of all kinds are normally available year-round in many grocery stores. This is thanks to strategic growing and harvesting efforts. The peak seasons of produce differ significantly depending on the type of fruit (or vegetable) in question and the region in which they’re grown. The majority of oranges in the USA come from Florida and California. Several other states offer many different varieties of all kinds, albeit on a far smaller scale.

Firstly, Florida is extremely invested in the orange. How’s that you ask? The entire state is so excited about oranges, the official state fruit and flower are the orange and its blossom. Balmy Florida is well-known for its juicy, sweet oranges, which make some of the best juice. Popular varieties grown here include the navel, Valencia, and Ambersweet. The best season for growing those and a few others in Florida is usually October through June. The mild temperatures combined with the abundance of sun and rain are almost the perfect conditions for happy groves to grow. Even the special soil found all over the state really lets orange trees thrive!

On the other side of the country, California produces a wide variety of oranges, including navel, Valencia, and Cara Cara oranges. The Californian orange season is slightly longer, with navels available from November through June, and Valencias from April through October. When you put that together with Florida’s growing schedule, there’s never a worry about not having fresh oranges all year long!

Smaller Scale Growers

Agriculture is a very prolific profession in the United States, and oranges can be grown in all sorts of clever places. Texas provides a fair share of oranges, being the third largest grower within the United States. Clementines and Honeybells call the Lone Star State their home, alongside more common varieties like the navel. The best season for growing in Texas usually occurs from November to June. An interesting cocktail known as the Texas margarita features the bold flavor of orange juice as its base!

While not as big on the orange scene, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arizona do have a wealth of their very own orchards. Alabama has its traditional satsuma, Louisiana’s got sweet Hamlins, and Arizona treasures the unique Trovita. Respective peak seasons for them are October-December, January-February, and January-March. Did you know that Arizona was growing citrus even before it was officially considered a state? Additionally, Alabama’s satsuma used to be a commercial product, but is now considered a local hobby and icon!

The history of U.S. oranges is a diverse one for sure. The earliest Spanish colonists introduced this mighty fruit to Florida somewhere in the 1500s. Also, French immigrants headed to Louisiana found it appropriate to bring the orange along with them. It’s amazing to see how such a colorful fruit we may take for granted first arrived in the United States!

The Orange Rainbow

Just like the different colors seen in a prism, oranges throughout the U.S. shine in their own special way. Each kind is usually a shade of, you guessed it, orange, but there’s a surprising mix of color variation in all of them as well!

• Navels boast a large size and unmistakable sweetness. They’re easy to spot thanks to the “navel” or small, secondary fruit at their apex.
• Valencias, often called summer oranges, are the juicing champions. Their namesake is València, a Spanish city dedicated to oranges!
• Cara Caras are a special treat. These super-sweet and pinkish-red fruits were first discovered in Venezuela.
• Blood oranges, with their striking crimson innards, have a berry-like flavor that’s a delightful twist on the traditional taste.
• Mandarin oranges, thought to be one of the original citrus fruits, are small and sweet.
• Bergamots are green, and they aren’t normally eaten as a snack. Instead, they are used in many flavorings across the world.
• Sevilles are a hardy cooking fruit. As their name implies, they are wildly popular in Spain, although they originated in Southeast Asia.

There are countless other varieties and hybrids of this awesome snack. At the time of this writing, there are over 50 currently known kinds, with more likely on the way. We suggest trying as many as possible and finding your favorite!

A Year Filled With Oranges

The beauty of the U.S. orange season is that it spans most of the year, thanks to the different varieties and growing regions. There’s always a new way to enjoy this citrusy champ, whether you’re peeling a navel orange for a winter snack, enjoying a glass of Valencia juice on a summer morning, or experimenting with the unique flavor of a Seville in your cooking. It’s a versatile nutritional blast that’s well worth savoring!

In closing, we invite you to take a moment to appreciate the journey your orange of choice has made on its way from the grove to your table. The true power of this juicy hero can be humbling to take in and enjoy!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © PradaBrown/Shutterstock.com