Oranges are their beneficial properties. Exotic orange - fruit or berry? Varieties of evergreen tree and their description, benefits and harms of the plant. Orange peel: benefits and harms

Citrus sinensis) - a species of flowering plants of the dicotyledonous class, the Sapindaceae order, the rue family, the genus Citrus. The orange is a cultivated hybrid form, most likely developed by crossing the mandarin and the pomelo.

The orange got its name from the Dutch word appelsien or the German Apfelsine, which translates as "apple from China", "Chinese apple".

Orange - description and characteristics. How oranges grow

The orange plant is a sufficiently powerful evergreen tree, the height of which depends on the variety: vigorous varieties of orange grow up to 12 m in height, dwarf forms have a height of about 4-6 m, trees for indoor cultivation reach 2-2.5 m in height. The most compact orange trees grow up to 60-80 cm.

The orange tree is distinguished by a dense dense crown of a round or pyramidal shape, and thorns up to 8-10 cm long often grow on its shoots. Orange leaves are dark green, dense, oval in shape with a sharp tip, growing up to 15 cm long and about 10 cm wide The edge of the leaf may be wavy, and at the very surface of the leaf there are special glands containing aromatic oil. One leaf lives for about 2 years, and on an orange tree, old and young leaves grow at the same time, performing different functions. Young orange leaves are responsible for photosynthesis, with their help the tree breathes, while the old leaves are a reservoir for nutrients. The period of intense leaf fall (about 25%) occurs in February and March, and the orange tree loses another quarter of the old leaves during the year.

Roots

Orange roots, unlike others fruit trees, do not have root hairs necessary to absorb moisture and nutrition from the soil. But on the roots there are special capsules with colonies of special soil fungi that form mycorrhiza with orange roots. Orange supplies amino acids and carbohydrates to mushrooms, and in return receives moisture and minerals, which mushrooms provide in a form that is easily digestible for the plant. The overgrown mycelium of mushrooms does not tolerate drought, lowering the temperature of the soil and exposing the roots on which it grows, therefore oranges are very demanding on moisture, heat and suffer greatly when transplanted without a clod of earth.

Flowers

The orange has large bisexual flowers of white or pink color, up to 5 cm in diameter, single or growing in inflorescences of 6 pieces. The laying of flower buds occurs in early spring, the flowers can stay in the bud stage for about a month, then open at a temperature of 16-18 degrees and bloom for about 2-3 days.

Fruit

The fruit of an orange is called an orange. It is distinguished by a round or oval shape and has a structure typical of other types of citrus fruits. Such a fruit, which comes from the upper ovary, is called a hesperidium (one of the varieties of a berry-like fruit). Thus, the orange fruit is a fruit and a berry.

The pulp of an orange consists of 9-13 separating slices covered with a thin film. Each lobule contains many juice-filled sacs that are formed from the inner epidermis of the carpels.

The taste of orange pulp can be sweet, sweet and sour, or bitter.

Some fruits do not form seeds, but most oranges do contain multi-seed seeds, arranged in a slice one above the other.

Peel

The smooth or porous peel of an orange is up to 5 mm thick, its top layer, the flavedo (zest), contains many rounded glands filled with essential oil. The white spongy layer that covers the inside of the peel is called the albedo. Due to its loose structure, the flesh of an orange lags behind the skin quite easily. According to the variety and stage of ripeness, the orange peel makes up 17 to 42% of the total weight of the fruit. Orange peel color can be greenish, pale yellow, bright orange and orange red.

Ripening terms

Orange is a remontant plant capable of re-blooming and fruiting, so an orange tree can simultaneously contain buds, flowers and fruits in different stages of ripeness. The ripening of oranges lasts about 8-9 months, and the ripened fruits can remain on the branches for a long time, and in the spring they turn green again, and by autumn they acquire a characteristic orange color. Seeds of fruits ripening within 2 seasons are of better quality, but the pulp loses its taste and beneficial features.

How long does an orange grow?

The orange tree grows rapidly (annual growth is about 40-50 cm) and begins to bear fruit 8-12 years after planting. Life cycle of an orange tree is about 75 years old, although individual specimens live up to 100-150 years and produce about 38 thousand fruits in a harvest year.

The birthplace of the orange is Southeast Asia (China), in the 16th century, an exotic fruit came to Europe, and then to Africa and the USA. Nowadays, orange is widely cultivated in many regions of the tropical and subtropical climatic zones, and Brazil, China and the USA are the leaders in fruit export. Spain, Italy, India, Pakistan, Argentina, Morocco, Syria, Greece, Egypt and Iran are slightly behind.

Types and varieties of oranges, photos and names

According to the speed of ripening, varieties of oranges are divided into:

• early;
• mid-early;
• Late.

Depending on the size, shape, taste, color of the fruit and pulp, orange varieties are divided into 2 main groups:

1. Light oranges (with orange flesh);
   • Ordinary (oval) oranges;
   • navel oranges;
2. King oranges (with reddish flesh).

More detailed description this classification is given below.

Ordinary or oval oranges- an extensive group of high-yielding varieties that are distinguished by a round or oval fruit shape and tasty, sweet and sour pulp of bright yellow color, containing many seeds. Oranges are medium to large in size, and the skin is thin, pale orange or yellow, well fused with the flesh. Most famous varieties ordinary oranges:

• Hamlin (Hamlin)- an early ripe variety of oranges with small or medium-sized fruits of a round or slightly flattened shape and a thin, even yellow skin. Grown mainly in Brazil and the USA, it has excellent transportability and is stored for a long time, it is actively used in indoor floriculture;
• Verna- a late variety of oranges of Spanish origin, with medium-sized or medium-sized, low-seeded, elongated fruits containing sweet, tasty pulp;
• Salustiana- a late-ripening orange variety of high economic importance in Spain and Morocco. The fruits are characterized by an oval-spherical or slightly flattened shape and a yellow-orange color of a thin, easily peeled peel. The juicy slices are pitted and have a sweet, buttery flavor.

Navel Oranges (Navel)- a group of varieties, on the trees of which thorns do not grow, and the fruits have a characteristic mastoid outgrowth-navel at the top, a reduced second fruit. Navel oranges are the largest, the average fruit weight is about 200-250 g, and individual specimens weigh up to 600 g. Distinctive feature most varieties also have a rough, easily detachable skin and exceptional consumer qualities: juicy, orange flesh, sweet taste with a slight sourness and an exquisite citrus aroma. The most popular varieties of navel oranges:

• Washington Navel (Washingtoh Navel)- a variety of bright orange oranges of important world economic importance, known since the 17th century, as well as one of the few oranges that successfully bear fruit in the Transcaucasus. Medium and large orange fruits have a round or slightly elongated shape and weight from 170 to 300 g. Orange pulp is bright orange, sweet with a slight sourness and a small number of seeds. The Washington Navel orange is one of the most popular varieties for home breeding;
• Navel Late (Navel Late)- a late variety of oranges, very similar to the Washington Navel variety, but differing in more tender pulp and increased keeping quality;
• Thomson Navel (Thomsonnavel) - a variety of round or oval oranges with a characteristic small navel and relatively thin, light orange skin with small pores. The pulp of the fruit, compared to Washington Navel, is more fibrous and not as juicy;
• Navelina (Navelina)- most early variety small and medium oranges with a small navel. Rounded or ovoid fruits have a thin, finely porous orange peel and loose, sweet flesh.
• Of particular note is the variety of oranges Kara-Kara (Cara Cara navelorange), which is a mutation of the Washington Navel variety and was found in Venezuela in 1976. Kara-Kara inherited most of the characteristics of the original variety: the navel, the orange color of a well-separated zest and the exceptional taste of juicy pulp. But its main difference is the flesh of a ruby ​​​​hue, comparable to the color of the pulp of the darkest grapefruits. An interesting feature of the variety is the ability to produce a number of variegated shoots, on which striped fruits subsequently develop.

Blood orange, king orange or king orange- This is a group of varieties that has in its composition anthocyanins, pigments that give the fruits and their pulp a blood-red color. Blood orange also has a name Sicilian orange, since the first landings appeared precisely in Sicily. The king orange is a natural mutation of the common orange. The trees of this varietal group are distinguished long periods maturation, short stature and elongated crown. The fruit of the blood orange is characterized by a rounded, slightly ribbed shape and a poorly detachable peel of brown, red or dark orange color. The flesh of the kinglet is distinguished by red, orange, burgundy or red-striped color, and the fruits are especially valued for their exquisite sweet and sour taste and excellent aroma. According to historians, blood oranges have been grown in Sicily since the 9th-10th centuries. They are currently cultivated throughout Italy, Spain, Morocco and the US states of Florida and California.

There are 3 main varieties of blood oranges:

• Moro orange (Moro) - a fairly young variety, bred in early XIX century in Sicily in the province of Syracuse. The skin of a blood orange is orange or reddish-orange, and the flesh is blood-streaked orange, bright crimson, or almost black. Fruit diameter from 5 to 8 cm. Weight 170-210 grams. Moro oranges have a strong citrus aroma with hints of raspberries or wild berries and a bitter taste.

• orange Sanguinello (Sanguinello)

originally from Spain, similar to the Moro orange and cultivated in the Northern Hemisphere. The blood orange fruit has an orange peel with a reddish tinge, sweet red flesh with red spots, which contains few seeds. The fruits ripen from February to March.

• orange Tarocco (Tarocco)

Considered one of the most popular Italian varieties, it is believed to be the product of a natural mutation of the Sanguinello orange. Tarocco oranges are medium in size, have a thin orangey-red skin and do not have pronounced red pigmentation of the pulp, therefore they are called "half-breeds". Thanks to their juiciness, sweet taste, lack of pits and high content of vitamin C, Tarocco red oranges are considered one of the most sought-after varieties in the world. Cultivated on fertile soils in the vicinity of Mount Etna.

Orange hybrids, photos and names

Crossing the orange with other citrus species has given rise to a number of interesting hybrid forms.

Citroncirus Webberi)

a hybrid of sweet orange and three-leafed poncirus, the purpose of which was to breed a cold-resistant orange. Citranzh tolerates a drop in air temperature to -10 degrees, but its fruits have a bitter taste. Citrange is commonly used in the preparation of drinks, marmalade or jam.

Citroncirus Citrangequat)

a hybrid of citrange and kumquat, is a compact tree, sometimes with small thorns, producing round or oval fruits with an elongated neck. Eaten fresh or used to make marmalade and lemonade.

one of the types of citranzhquat, a hybrid of orange, margarita kumquat and three-leafed poncirus. Fruits are yellow or yellow-orange in color, medium size, oval or pear-shaped. The peel is thin and bitter, the flesh with a small number of seeds, very sour when unripe, becomes quite edible when fully ripe.

Clementine ( Citrus clementina)

hybrid of mandarin and orange beetle. The fruits of the hybrid are visually similar to tangerines, but differ in a firmer skin, rich sweet taste and juicy pulp. The second variety of clementine is a hybrid of mandarin and bitter Seville orange, bred in Algeria in 1902. The fruits are small, orange, with a hard skin.

Clementines are usually divided into three types:

• Corsican clementine - its fruits are medium in size, covered with an orange-red skin, the pulp is fragrant, there are no seeds in it;
• Spanish clementine can have both small and larger fruits with bright orange pulp of a sour taste. The fruit contains two to ten seeds;
• Montreal clementine is a rare type of citrus with sour fruits containing 10-12 seeds.

Santina (English)Suntina)

hybrid of clementine and orlando. Bright orange fruits of medium or large size, with a thin skin, are distinguished by a sweet taste and strong aroma. The ripening period is from late November to March.

Tangor (English)Tangor, temple orange)

the result of crossing sweet orange and tangerine. The fruits are medium or large, can reach 15 cm in diameter. The shape of the fruit is slightly flattened, the peel is of medium thickness, porous, yellow or deep orange. The presence of seeds depends on the variety of tangor. The flesh of tangors is very fragrant, orange, has a sour or sweet and sour taste.

Ellendale (eng.Ellendale tangor)

citrus hybrid, a variety of tangor obtained by crossing tangerine, mandarin and orange. Citrus is native to Australia. The fruits are medium to large in size, juicy, with a reddish-orange rind and very sweet, fragrant dark orange flesh. The skin is thin, smooth and easy to peel. Seeds may vary in number or be absent altogether.

Orangelo (eng.Orangelo) or chironha (Spanish)Chironja)

supposedly considered a natural hybrid of grapefruit and orange. The fruit is native to Puerto Rico. The fruits are large, the size of a grapefruit, have a slightly elongated or pear-shaped shape. When ripe, the peel is bright yellow, thin and smooth, quite easily separated from the pulp. There are few seeds. The pulp is orange-orange, tender, juicy. The taste is sweeter, similar to orange and lacks the bitterness of grapefruit.

ugly fruit or ugly (eng.Ugli fruits)

it is the result of crossing a tangerine, a grapefruit (or pomelo) and an orange. Agli fruits grow in Jamaica, they are not very beautiful in appearance due to a rough and wrinkled peel. The diameter of the fruit is from 10 to 15 cm. The color of the fruit varies from green to yellow-green and orange. Despite some unattractiveness, the pulp of the agli fruit is very tasty and has a grapefruit note. The fruiting period is from December to April.

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi )

according to scientists, it is a natural hybrid of orange and pomelo. The fruits are large, with a diameter of 10 to 15 cm, with juicy sweet and sour pulp with a slight bitterness. The color of the pulp, depending on the variety, can be almost white, light pink, yellow or reddish. The skin is yellow or reddish.

Meyer Lemon (Citrus meyeri )

presumably the result of hybridization of lemon with orange or tangerine. large fruits have a rounded shape, when mature, the peel acquires a yellow-orange hue. The flesh is dark yellow, juicy and not as acidic as a regular lemon, and contains seeds.

Natsudaidai (Natsumikan, Amanatsu) (Eng.Amanatsu, natsumican)

natural hybrid of orange and pomelo (or grapefruit). The plant was first discovered in Japan in the 17th century. The fruit has a fairly thick peel of yellow-orange color, it is eaten fresh, but its juicy pulp tastes quite sour. The fruit contains many seeds.

orange calories

100 g of orange contains 36 kcal.

Nutritional value of orange per 100g:

• Proteins - 0.9 g;
• Fats - 0.2 g;
• Carbohydrates - 8.2 g;
• Water - 87 g.

Orange: benefit and harm

Beneficial features

The exceptional popularity of the orange is due not only to the excellent taste of its fruits, but also to the unique chemical composition with a high content of nutrients found in the pulp, juice, zest and seeds. The main advantage of the orange is the high content of vitamin C (50 mg per 100 g), because 150 g of orange satisfies the daily human need for ascorbic acid. Orange fruits have a general strengthening effect on the body and increase immunity.

Orange contains a number of vitamins and minerals necessary for the human body:

• Vitamins B, A, PP, E;
• Minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc);
• pectins;
• Phytoncides;
• Anthocyanins;
• Sugar;
• Citric and salicylic acid;
• Essential oil of orange.

A balanced combination of useful substances allows the use of oranges in the complex treatment of a number of pathological conditions:

• obesity;
• colds and various viral diseases, high fever;
• anemia, anemia, weakness, loss of appetite;
• chronic constipation;
• atherosclerosis;
• hypertension;
• gout;
• liver disease;
• scurvy;
• periodontal disease and bleeding gums;
• gastritis and low acidity of the stomach;
• vascular and heart diseases;
• urolithiasis disease;
• lead poisoning;
• increased nervous excitability.

In order not to lose essential oils, bioflavonoids and pectins, which are rich in zest and seeds, oranges for juice are recommended to be squeezed whole.

Orange leaves purify the air and saturate the room with phytoncides, which have a detrimental effect on various pathogenic bacteria. This property is one of the factors in favor of breeding oranges at home.

Harm and contraindications

• Orange is one of the strongest plant allergens, so allergy sufferers, young children, and breastfeeding women should consume the fruit with caution.
• Also, oranges are contraindicated for anyone who suffers from severe chronic diseases. internal organs or has a stomach ulcer.
• The high sugar content of an orange can harm diabetics.

Homemade orange, varieties and photos

The following varieties of oranges are considered the most popular for growing at home:

• Torocco Rosso- a variety of Sicilian blood oranges with golden-red fruits and red flesh. This variety is characterized by a delicate aroma and a mild, sweet and sour taste;
• Navelina- a high-yielding variety of Spanish oranges, early fruiting and disease resistant. Medium-sized fruits have sweet, juicy, orange flesh with few seeds;
• Vanilla- a variety of oranges of Chinese origin, characterized by medium-sized fruits of a yellowish-orange hue. At the time of flowering, orange trees fill the room with the heady aroma of citruses;
• Pavlovsky- one of the best indoor varieties of orange, having a height of no more than 1 meter and strewn with delicious bright orange fruits;
• Washington Navel- a low-growing variety of oranges, which is excellent for growing in room conditions. The fruits are round, orange, tasty. The variety is unpretentious and cold-resistant.

Landing

You can grow an orange at home from a seed, and this method has some advantages over cuttings and buying a finished seedling. The orange tree from the stone is characterized by intensive growth, stronger and stronger, forms a dense, beautiful crown, is quite unpretentious and has good disease resistance. The only drawback is that it begins to bear fruit 8-10 years after planting and does not fully inherit the genetic characteristics of the parent tree.

For planting an orange, it is better to choose several seeds from different fruits, and you need to plant the seeds immediately after extraction. Compared to tangerine, orange is less demanding on the composition of the soil, therefore, for planting, they take 1 part of peat and any flower soil. Also, for growing oranges from the stone, you can use ready-made soil for lemons, and the bottom of the container should cover the drainage with a layer of about 2 cm.

Orange seeds are sown in a seedling box or one seed at a time in tall plastic cups, dropping to a depth of 1-2 cm. At an air temperature of 18-22 degrees and good soil moisture, the sprouts will hatch in 2-3 weeks even in the absence of a greenhouse.

After the appearance of 2 true leaves, weak sprouts are removed, and strong specimens are transplanted into a pot with a diameter of about 10 cm, trying to keep an earthen clod. For transplanting a homemade orange, drainage and a mixture of humus and any flower soil must be used. The next transplant is carried out a year later and then annually, until it begins to bear fruit, increasing the diameter of the pot by 2-3 cm. A pot of 8-10 liters will become a permanent container for an indoor orange grown from a stone, in which it is necessary to renew the topsoil every year.

Lighting and temperature

The orange tree at home is very demanding on good lighting and loves bright but diffused sunlight, so it is recommended to place the plant on an east or west window, as direct sunlight can cause leaf burns. Home orange feels good at air temperatures from +17 to + 28 degrees, but flowering and fruit set occurs at a temperature of + 15-18 degrees.

In summer, the orange tree can be kept outdoors, in a place protected from drafts and the scorching sun. For a comfortable wintering, the plant is transferred to a cool room with an air temperature of + 12-14 degrees, for example, to a warmed loggia, and provide additional lighting. In the spring, during the budding period, the plant is kept at a temperature of about + 18 degrees. Often rearranging and turning a homemade orange tree is not recommended, and for uniform growth of shoots, it is enough to turn the pot 10 degrees 3 times a month.

Watering

Indoor orange loves water, but does not tolerate waterlogging - the earth in the pot turns sour, and the plant begins to hurt. In the summer, in the heat, as well as during the heating period, the orange is watered once a day, the rest of the time - as the soil dries up. The tree also needs regular spraying and top dressing.

top dressing

Intensive top dressing is required for homemade orange during the period of active growth: from early spring to mid-summer. Top dressing is carried out every 10 days, alternating special formulations for citrus fruits with complex mineral and organic fertilizers. Mineral top dressing should contain 20 g of carbamide, 25 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium salt per 10 liters of water. As organic fertilizer for orange use mullein, diluted in a ratio of 1:10. Once a month, a pinch of potassium permanganate is added to the top dressing, and iron sulfate is added once every 3 months, which will ensure the preservation of the color of the leaves.

The normal growth of an orange grown from a seed and the quality of fruiting largely depend on a well-formed crown. The first pinching of the central shoot is carried out when the tree grows to 30 cm. Weak side shoots are removed, leaving 3-4 of the strongest, and also pinched: in this way the tree will begin to branch. For the next year, 2 shoots of the second order are left from the new growth, of which about 5 shoots of the third order are formed over time, after which horizontal fruit shoots will begin to develop.

In the first fruiting, it is better to remove the flowers and ovaries of the orange, leaving only 2-3 pieces, otherwise the tree will spend too much energy on fruit ripening. In subsequent seasons, 10 or more fruits are left.

Diseases of oranges, photo

Like any home-grown citrus, oranges are susceptible to a number of diseases and pest attacks:

• gommosis or gum treatment

a fungal disease of the orange, which can be caused by lack of drainage, deep planting, or mechanical damage to the bark. At the affected tree, fragments of the bark die off, from which a yellow substance is released - gum. Infected areas are cleaned to healthy tissue, disinfected and covered with garden pitch;

• anthracnose orange

a fungal disease that causes the death of shoots, yellowing and falling off of leaves and ovaries of an orange. The affected parts of the plant are cut off, the sections are treated with activated charcoal, and the tree is sprayed with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture;

• scale insects

settle on the leaves and shoots of the orange tree, leading to their deformation, twisting and death. For control, broad-spectrum insecticides (Aktara. Spark) are used, and pests are harvested by hand.

• yellowing and falling leaves orange

can be caused by a lack or excess of moisture, excessive fertilizing, a sharp change in temperature, or a banal draft. Some oranges do not respond well to close proximity to a microwave oven and cannot tolerate cigarette smoke.

• Orange, along with grapefruit, contains a unique plant flavonoid - naringenin, which can neutralize free radicals in the human body, which slows down the process of premature skin aging.
• In Afghanistan, the juice of an orange cut in half is generously poured over fried foods, making fatty foods easier to digest. In Jamaica, orange halves are rubbed on floors to neutralize dirt and grease.
• AT US state California is illegal to eat oranges and take a bath at the same time. The fact is that the substances that make up bath oils in combination with orange acid can form an explosive mixture.
• In ancient times, orange juice was considered an antidote for almost any poison, and there was also a belief that an orange tree could die if a woman touched it.

Orange is a very useful fruit, for many it is associated with the sun.

It contains many vitamins and minerals. It has healing properties.

An orange "arrived" in our country, exactly like in many others from China.

In Europe, the first fruits appeared on the shelves in the fifteenth century, after which they gained immense popularity.

There are several varieties of this amazing fruit in the world:

1. Ordinary . They have a lot of seeds. The flesh is bright yellow.
2. Jaffa . The fruits have a thick skin and are very sweet.
3. Korolki – red-orange flesh, sweet.
4. navel oranges - orange flesh, also sweet.

Orange - useful properties

There are a lot of vitamins in an orange: groups B, P, A. It also contains trace elements: calcium, copper, boron, potassium, cobalt and magnesium. This fruit is rich in vitamin C - more 50% daily allowance for an adult. Sugar content is approx. 12% .

100g product contain: 85 gr. water, 1 gr. squirrel, 8 gr. carbohydrates, 1.3 gr. acids and 0.25 gr. fats.

Daily consumption of one orange after meals reduces the risk of viral diseases, and in combination with other fruits, the effect is enhanced.

oranges. Benefit and harm

Oranges help in the treatment of people who have diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Fruits have a positive effect on bone tissue, it begins to regenerate faster. But with chronic weakness and anemia, vitamin C helps.

The largest accumulation of this vitamin is in the peel, and not in the pulp. However, many people throw it away without even thinking about its beneficial properties. But surely many people remember how often our parents brewed orange peels. They can even be used for cooking compote or jelly.

Today, unfortunately, much has changed, very often fruits are stuffed with pesticides and treated with chemical solutions. All this calls into question the use of the peel as a healing agent.

If you need bioflavonoids and pectin, then you should not remove the white partitions from the orange. There are most of these chemical compounds.

Pectin

Pectin is a polysaccharide, a structural element of building tissues. It is very important for the body. There is a lot of this element in the peel of an orange. It has a special effect on the functioning of the intestines and the gastrointestinal tract. Pectin also contributes to rapid satiety, and given its low calorie content, this fruit is an excellent tool for weight loss.

Zest

Orange peel contains a lot of citric and pectic acid, as well as various vitamins. Acids are included in the list of antibiotics. In ancient times, these fruits were used to treat many patients. For many years, oranges have been considered a means of preventing and treating beriberi, eliminating constipation and increasing acidity in orgasm.

Pectin is an excellent laxative that promotes rapid bowel movement before food begins to stagnate.

Oranges reduce blood cholesterol by several orders of magnitude and help prevent diseases such as a heart attack.

Help with oncology

Folic acid and limonoids can slow down the growth of cancer cells! This was revealed by scientists in laboratory studies.

Pregnant

Folic acid is very beneficial for pregnant women. It prevents the development of congenital defects in the unborn child.

Orange juice

Probably, not everyone knows that an orange loses many useful properties and vitamins after it turns into juice. And all because most of the vitamins and minerals are contained in the peel, which is consumed. But a lot of sugar remains in the juice, up to 110 kcal per 100 grams.

Harm and contraindications

Not only "positive qualities" have an orange. They are not recommended for people who have stomach ulcers, intestinal disorders, gastritis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sweet oranges, and not only them, are natural allergens. They are not recommended to be given frequently to young children, they may develop rashes and other dysfunctions. Moreover, it is often undesirable to use fruit for adults.

orange calories

One hundred grams of an orange contains 36 kilocalories. Weigh an orange on the scale and you will understand how many calories are in one fruit .

You can understand that an orange is already ripe and has a pleasant taste by its weight and aroma. Large fruits are the most unsweetened. Fruits that were harvested between November and December are also considered sweet, and they are also stored the longest.

It is advisable to buy oranges brought from the Mediterranean or America, although there are very few American oranges in stores.

It's just that these places have a more favorable climate, and gardeners grow fruits according to certain rules, taking into account traditions, which affects the taste.

Do not think that a thick skin is a sign of the sweetness of the fruit. Thin-skinned oranges are much sweeter, however, thick-skinned ones are easier to peel.

Friends! Let's remember what an orange looks like.

It is a large, round fruit covered with a bright or reddish-orange shiny skin. If the peel is peeled, you can see that the orange consists of juicy slices covered with a thin white film that protects the slice from drying out. Inside the orange slices are small oblong grains.

The orange tree is a citrus tree. It is evergreen: both in summer and winter, its branches are covered with bright green oval leaves. In spring, white fragrant flowers open on the orange tree.

Orange trees have been known in China since the dawn of mankind. The word "orange" in Dutch means "Chinese apple". From China, oranges came to India, Egypt, Africa and America. “Golden” fruits were brought to Europe from Palestine in the 15th century.

Europeans fell in love with juicy and fragrant fruits. They began to be served as a rare delicacy for dessert after dinner.

in Russia in the 18th century. The nobleman of Tsar Peter I, Prince Alexander Menshikov, built a palace with greenhouses in which oranges were grown. By the way, the word "greenhouse" comes from the French word "orange", which means orange. And the Menshikov Palace itself was named Oranienbaum, which means “orange tree” in German. Its coat of arms features an orange orange tree on a silver background.

Orange trees are still grown in greenhouses.

Listen to the poem.

orange grows in a greenhouse

We go with a big basket -

We collect oranges.

Outside the window frost is crackling,

Snow falls from a dark cloud.

Anyone may wonder:

How did the orange grow?

In the middle of gray plains?

Orange grows in a greenhouse -

There is special care

And it's warm all year round!

What are the health benefits of oranges?

Their orange fruits contain essential oils that increase a person's resistance to disease, lower fever, and improve eyesight.

Therefore, in ancient times, oranges were called "apples of immortality" and it was believed that juicy fragrant fruits protect people from disease and aging. Orange fruits also contain citric acid, sugar, vitamin C and carotene. An infusion of orange blossoms was given to the sick.

For many peoples of the East, the snow-white orange flower symbolizes fertility, immortality, good luck and pure love. It was customary for Christians to decorate the bride's wedding dress with orange flowers.

What dishes can be prepared from oranges?

They are eaten fresh, added to fruit and vegetable salads, healthy sweet and sour orange juice is obtained from ripe fruits. Orange slices decorate green leafy lettuce, cakes and pies.

In addition, they are used to prepare hot poultry dishes.

Answer the questions

What does an orange look like?

What does an orange tree look like?

When did oranges appear in Russia? Where were they grown?

What are the health benefits of oranges?

What dishes are prepared from oranges?

Oranges have a wonderful aroma and sweet taste that attract any person. But few people know about the beneficial properties of this fruit for the body (and specifically for women), and what elements it contains necessary for life. The main component of an orange, which is found both in the pulp and in the peel, is vitamin C. It is this vitamin that is responsible for human immunity. In addition, the composition of the orange contains a lot of vitamins, glucose and fructose, dietary fiber, micro and macro elements that make the orange a unique fruit in its structure.

Orange - composition

One hundred grams of orange contains:

Orange - 8 Health Benefits

1. The immune system

   Most citrus fruits contain vitamin C, and oranges are no exception. This vitamin helps protect cells from the harmful effects of free radicals, which can lead to the formation of chronic diseases(cancer, heart disease). But oranges help our body not only by reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also by increasing human immunity against small viruses and bacteria in the everyday environment (for example, from colds).

2. Improves the appearance of the skin

   Vitamin C helps skin stay beautiful and fight damage caused by sun exposure and pollution. This vitamin is vital in order for the body to produce collagen, which will reduce wrinkles and improve general form skin.

3. Reduces cholesterol

   The dietary fiber in oranges helps lower cholesterol levels because it binds excess cholesterol in the intestines, improves intestinal motility, and speeds up the elimination of cholesterol from the body. A 2010 study found that drinking orange juice for 60 days reduced LDL levels in people with high cholesterol.

4. Heart health

   Oranges contain a large number of vitamin C, fiber, choline and potassium - these are the elements that have a beneficial effect on your heart. The mineral potassium is vital for our body, as it improves cardiac conduction and prevents heart rhythm disturbances. In turn, the lack of this element becomes the cause of such a disease as arrhythmia. A 2012 study found that the risk of death from heart disease is much lower in people who consume about 4 mg of potassium daily (assuming the norm is 1 mg of potassium per day). Another useful property of potassium is to help reduce blood pressure, which, accordingly, protects a person from a stroke. It was also noted that the consumption of oranges is beneficial not only for the heart, but also for blood vessels: fruits contain a lot of folic acid, namely, it reduces the level of homocysteine ​​and a heart attack.

5. Help with diabetes

   Orange contains a lot of fiber, which regulates blood sugar levels. That is why, with regular intake of these foods, people with type 1 diabetes have a decrease in sugar levels, and people with type 2 diabetes, on the contrary, increase the amount of insulin, lipids and blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association has compiled special lists of foods for people with this kind of disease, and oranges are marked as a superfood in these lists (but like other citrus fruits).

6. Improved digestion and weight loss

   The fiber contained in an orange not only helps people with diabetes, but also improves digestion. In addition, an orange can help you shed those extra pounds, as it is considered a low-lipid yet high-nutrient food that has a low glycemic index. Therefore, the orange is an ideal product to protect against obesity, which can provoke a number of new ones, for example, the occurrence of the same heart disease, cancer, stroke, high pressure, diabetes. What is the glycemic index? It is a measure of how much a food affects blood sugar levels. Foods with a high index, for example, include white bread. Such food is quickly absorbed, almost instantly raising blood glucose levels. Whereas low glycemic foods like vegetables or legumes are digested more slowly, slowing down the process of sugar buildup.

7. vision improvement

   In addition to the rich vitamin composition, an orange is useful for its content of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene). These elements prevent age-related macular degeneration, an incurable condition that blurs central vision. Also, vitamin A, which is contained in oranges, has a positive effect on our visual apparatus, thanks to which the eyes begin to absorb light better, and night vision improves. During scientific research It has been proven that vitamin C, which is present in the composition of the orange, reduces the risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts.

8. Cancer prevention

   Vitamin C has another useful property: it reduces the likelihood of colon cancer by preventing the mutation of DNA molecules. Studies have shown that in 15% of cases, a mutation in the genes is to blame for the occurrence of cancer. That is why doctors constantly recommend that during the first two years of a child's life, constantly give him bananas, oranges or their juices - they will help reduce the risk of developing leukemia.

Orange - contraindications

Despite the fact that these fruits are very beneficial for our body, in some cases they can also be harmful. In some diseases, an orange not only will not have a positive effect on the body, but can also significantly aggravate the overall picture of the disease. It is not recommended to eat oranges

• with a disorder of the digestive tract;
• ulcers;
• gastritis.

Excessive consumption of oranges will also harm the body, this will certainly manifest itself in the form of an allergy.

Of course, if you are not allergic to this citrus! The main thing that we associate with the benefits of an orange is its high content of vitamin C, and it also has a lot of dietary fiber that improves digestion and reduces the level of bad cholesterol in our body.

Thanks to its sunny sweet and such a refreshing taste, this fruit has long become a favorite treat on our tables, it is added to various desserts and salads, to sweet pastries - they simply adore in my house, in Hungary the cake is a real visiting card of the country. Baked in the oven is perfect for the festive table, the bright taste of orange pulp adorns lenten dishes well, for example with icing.

China is considered the birthplace of these evergreen trees and their sunny fruits, but there is a version that these fruits were grown in South America in ancient times, but I think it is more important for us that they are now available to all of us, in all their varieties and types. .

And by the way, not only in cooking, cosmetics or perfumery, but in general - the aroma of orange is second only to vanilla in popularity, like that!

Orange juice is considered the most common drink in gastronomy, this also applies to natural juices and drinks with its addition, non-alcoholic and alcoholic cocktails - let's start with a recipe that has been considered the national treasure of Germany and the whole world for several centuries.

A fruit with such a history and popularity simply cannot have any interesting facts, I want to bring to your attention a few of them.

• The classic orange fruit has 10 separate segments - slices. The sweetness and aroma of which depends on the variety, on the place where it was grown, and even on which side of the tree the fruit grew.
• If the ripe fruit is not removed from the branch, a certain trick may happen, namely, re-greening - the orange peel will again become green, but at the same time it will not change its taste.
• It is believed that the oldest orange tree in the world has been growing since 1973, somewhere in one of the orchards in sunny California. The tree was brought from Brazil, then only three seedlings were delivered to the buyer, and it bears fruit to this day.
• Even conservative British people have a special tenderness and affection for this citrus - it is toast with orange jam and a glass of orange juice that is an integral part of the classic that they love so much.
• Remember the ancient Greek myth about the "golden apples" in the garden of the Hesperides? so historians believe that it is about the fruits of the orange tree.

• In many nations, snow-white orange flowers are considered a symbol of purity, tenderness and love, so they are “invited” to the most romantic event for lovers - to weddings, including them in brides, boutonnieres and wreaths, and even decorate wedding cakes with them.
• The very name of this citrus "orange" is borrowed from the Dutch language - appelsien, you will recognize the familiar "apple" apple and "sina" or "chin" that is China, and as I mentioned above about the homeland of our fruit, the translation is "Chinese apple".

At the very beginning of this article, we mentioned the high content of vitamin C and dietary fiber in the pulp and peel of this citrus, now let's talk about its other equally important advantages.

So - an orange is a real storehouse of nutrients, it offers us the necessary beta-carotene, pectin and folic acid, a number of B series vitamins, such as - B, B1, B2, B5, B6. It contains vitamin A, H, PP and, of course, C. As for minerals, there is a complete set here - calcium and magnesium, potassium and sodium, phosphorus, molybdenum, zinc and iron.

Oranges are an excellent prevention of vitamin deficiency and support for your immunity, this fruit also has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. It has such wonderful qualities as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, plus everything orange helps our body recover from viral diseases, and even accelerates bone tissue regeneration.

It is not recommended to eat oranges for those who have gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcers or gastritis. With diabetes, you also need to be more careful, I remind you that the pulp of an orange contains a large amount of natural sugars.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Our today's hero, like, in principle, all his citrus counterparts, have a low calorie content, namely, from 35 to 45 kilocalories per 100 grams of product. So the number of calories in one fruit directly depends on its size.

The main proportion of this fruit is water, it makes up 85 percent of the entire orange. The main source of orange calories are simple carbohydrates such as monosaccharides and disaccharides, that is, fructose and glucose, and it is they who “invigorate” our body, as they are quickly absorbed by our body and give a noticeable burst of energy.

Nutritional value of orange: Proteins - 0.9 grams per 100 grams of product; Fats - 0.2 grams per 100 grams of product; Carbohydrates - 8.1 grams per 100 grams of product.

The calorie content of freshly squeezed or canned orange juice depends on the method and degree of extraction, and on the "additives" of the manufacturer. But in general, it is the same as that of the whole fruit.

To eat this in order to lose weight is not a rhetorical question at all) and I think it excites each of us to one degree or another. So orange is the way out.

It is precisely due to the fact that a fresh juicy orange eaten as a snack quickly and for quite a long time gives us a feeling of satiety, we can not only calmly wait for the main meal, but also avoid overeating. Plus, we get an energy vitamin charge.

And for the fact that this fruit contains a very small amount of calories and practically no fats, it is included in various "" and on the menu proper nutrition. There is also a separate, so to speak, orange mono-diet, but it’s better to be more careful with it, after all, it’s a rather sour fruit. It would be safer to stick to the PP and include oranges in the food menu in the morning.

Today there are many different varieties of orange, they differ among themselves in size and flavor. There are hybrids with tangerines and original oranges with red pulp, while the peel is the zest of the orange color that is absolutely familiar to us, but the taste of this variety is special - with a raspberry note. So I think everyone will choose their favorite variety.

And now from the series "advice to gardeners" - if on your personal plot there was such a problem as slugs, but you don’t want to use evil chemistry in the fight against them; try to arrange a “trap” for them on the orange zest - it will lure pests to the place you “need” and it will be easier to get rid of them) as you can see - they love oranges all!