The Juicy Secret to Choosing Ripe Oranges
Updated: Jul. 13, 2022There's nothing worse than a bad apple, or in this case a bad orange. Choose the freshest ripe oranges every time, no matter the season!
There’s nothing better than bringing home a bag of juicy, ripe oranges for baking, drinking, or just nibbling. Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, oranges are a sweet and delicious treat year-round—and versatile in the kitchen. You can use oranges to whip up a batch of pancakes or create a salmon glaze. But how do you get the perfect one no matter the season? Here are some secrets to ensuring the most delicious picks:
Give ’em a squeeze
Generally, the tastiest orange—whatever the variety—will be firm, full-colored, smooth and thin-skinned. As you would with most fruits and veggies, steer clear or those that are too soft, show even the smallest signs of mold, or feel as though they have bruises. Don’t be afraid of slight scratches or marks on the skin; this is called “wind scarring,” which happens when fruit rubs against the tree branches during windy weather.
Go for heft
When you pick one up, you should feel a good amount of weight in your hand, like a small sports ball. This heaviness indicates how much juice is in your orange. Don’t be afraid to give it a sniff. The sweetest and ripest fruits will emit the scent of their juices through the skin.
Choose the season’s best
Make sure to pick a variety that is in season. Navel oranges, for example, taste freshest from midwinter to early spring. Valencias are their juicy best from late spring to midsummer. And blood oranges are in their prime from early winter until early spring.
Consider the color
No matter the variety, your orange should be a bright color. With navels, look for a vivid, solid orange hue. Ripe Valencias might still have a greenish tinge, as they reabsorb chlorophyll while hanging on the tree during warmer months.
Store them properly. Use oranges as a cheery accent on your table (they’ll keep at room temperature for up to a week), or store in your refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Our Best Winter Citrus Recipes
Lemon-Garlic Cream Fettuccine
I've been making this lemony pasta for the family for years. It's both simple and indulgent enough to make it a go-to recipe. —Anne Miller, Glenfield, New York
Bake-Sale Lemon Bars
The recipe for these tangy lemon bars comes from my cousin, who is famous for cooking up farm feasts. —Mildred Keller, Rockford, Illinois
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos
Our fun, simple chicken taco recipe is perfect for a relaxing dinner with friends. If we have any leftover filling, I toss it into a garden-fresh taco salad. —Tracy Gunter, Boise, Idaho
Cranberry Orange Muffins
These cranberry orange muffins are so simple to fix, my husband and I enjoy one for breakfast almost every morning. —Sara Eichenlaub, Burlington, Ontario
Haddock with Lime-Cilantro Butter
Here in Louisiana, the good times roll when we broil fish and serve it with lots of lime juice, cilantro and butter. —Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana
Lemon Chiffon Cake
This moist, airy chiffon cake was my dad's favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, but whenever I make this retro Christmas dessert my family is thrilled! —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington
Honey-Citrus Chicken Sandwiches
During the summer months, our three children keep me plenty busy. So it's a welcome relief when my husband volunteers to cook out. These chicken sandwiches are his specialty! —Claire Batherson, Westchester, Illinois
Conga Lime Pork
Dinner guests won’t be too shy to get in line when this yummy chipotle pork moves to the buffet table. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
Lime-Glazed Pork Chops
These tangy grilled chops are all the talk at barbecues and tailgates. You gotta have them with the sweet and sour glaze. —Jacqueline Correa, Landing, New Jersey
Citrus Salmon Fillets with Salsa
Take lemony salmon fillets to the next level with a fresh, colorful homemade salsa. Just add a simple side of rice for a complete dinner. —Tiffany Hartpence, Lander, WY
Lemon-Roasted Chicken with Olive Couscous
If you can find preserved lemons, try them instead of the plain lemons for an even more authentic flavor in this North African-inspired recipe. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Tomato-Orange Soup
Who knew orange and tomato were such a good pair? Whenever I serve this, I keep the recipe handy for requests. —Barbara Wood, St. John’s, Newfoundland
Tortellini with Asparagus & Lemon
This is a terrific warm-weather dish, loaded with fresh flavors. I make mine meatless, but some sliced grilled chicken on top would be awesome, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Orange Cheesecake Breakfast Rolls
These yummy rolls are a nice change of pace from the typical brown sugar and cinnamon kind. They make a nice treat for breakfast or brunch. —Hannah Cobb, Owings Mills, Maryland
Broccoli Slaw with Lemon Dressing
Our family absolutely loves broccoli, so I'm so happy there's finally a slaw mix in stores that uses broccoli stems. I like this slaw best after 20 minutes or so to allow the flavors to meld. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Grapefruit Poppy Seed Bread
I had grapefruits handy, so I used the zest and juice for this lovely quick bread. It's got a nice little tang and a tender crumb. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Sesame Chicken Slaw Salad
I tasted many types of Asian chicken salad in California. When I moved back to Georgia, I wanted more. Here’s a gingery-sweet recipe using wonton strips. —Michelle Mulrain, Evans, Georgia
Florida Citrus Meringue Pie
Why limit a fantastic dessert to just one kind of citrus fruit? Thanks to orange and lemon, this lovely pie packs a bold sweet-tart flavor! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
Citrus Turkey Roast
I was skeptical at first about fixing turkey in a slow cooker but once I tasted this dish, I was hooked. With a little cornstarch to thicken the juices, the gravy is easily made. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas
Gorgonzola & Orange Chicken Tenders
My mom likes to make this for family gatherings, and we all like to eat it. Marmalade and Gorgonzola might sound like an unusual combo, but they actually make a marvelous pair. —Yvette Gorman, Denver, Pennsylvania
Coconut-Lime Chicken Curry Soup
I created this chicken recipe to replicate the flavors of my favorite curry dish—slightly sweet with just the right amount of spicy heat. When served with a garnish of green onions and toasted coconut, the soup makes the perfect cold-weather meal. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Citrus Scallops
My husband and I like to eat seafood at least once a week. Oranges and lemon juice give scallops a refreshing burst of flavor. —Cheri Hawthorne, North Canton, Ohio
Orange Ricotta Pancakes
These popular pancakes are likely to spark a craving. For a different twist, switch the citrus ingredient to lime or lemon juice.—Brehan Kohl, Anchorage, Alaska
Lemon Roasted Fingerlings and Brussels Sprouts
My trick to roasting veggies is to choose ones that cook in the same amount of time. Other combinations to try? Cauliflower florets with baby carrots or okra with cherry tomatoes. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana
Morning Orange Drink
I love to treat overnight guests to this creamy orange frappe. Just blitz a few basic ingredients in your blender and enjoy. —Joyce Mummau, Mount Airy, Maryland
Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod
After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Lemony Chicken Soup
While living in California, I enjoyed a delicious chicken-lemon soup at a local restaurant. When I returned to Texas, I experimented with many versions before landing on this one. —Brenda Tollett, San Antonio, Texas
Slow-Cooker Key Lime Fondue
Love fondue but want something other than milk chocolate? Dip into this white chocolate Key lime fondue with graham crackers, fresh fruit and cubed pound cake.—Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Orange Beef Lettuce Wraps
This is a lighter version of a restaurant favorite. I also recommend trying these wraps with ground chicken or turkey.—Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
Citrus Cream Tartlets
This rich and creamy dessert is especially nice for company. It's attractive and easy to serve, and much of it can be made ahead of time. The citrus flavor is refreshing after a meal or on its own with coffee. —Brian Barger, Chevy Chase, Maryland
Lemon Oatmeal Sugar Cookies
This is an especially fun recipe to make with kids because they can roll the dough into balls and flatten them on the baking sheets. The lemon and oatmeal add a nice twist to traditional sugar cookies. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Crispy Orange Chicken
We enjoy these tangy nuggets so many ways—over noodles or rice, in sandwiches, even on top of lettuce and cabbage. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Orange-Glazed Pork with Sweet Potatoes
When it's chilly outside, I like to roast pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes, apples and an orange. The sweetness and spices make any evening cozy. —Danielle Boyles, Sparta, Wisconsin
Originally Published: December 20, 2017
