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Bitter Oranges for Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to bitter oranges
About bitter oranges
While bitter oranges may look similar to other varieties of oranges, you might buy from the store to eat or juice, you'll be in for a surprise if you try to eat them raw. This variety of orange, sometimes called a Seville orange, sour orange, bigarade orange, or marmalade orange, is rarely consumed in its raw form. Bitter oranges typically comprise marmalade, which is why some call it a marmalade orange.
The bitter orange is native to Asia, and it's thought to be a hybrid fruit made from mandarins and pomelos. This fruit often lends its scent to essential oils, such as neroli or orange blossom oil and perfume. It has a pleasantly strong citrus scent. Bitter oranges are rarely eaten raw, despite being perfectly safe to eat, because the flavor is very bitter, acidic, and sour. The peel can also be dried and used for seasoning. Bitter oranges have one of the most intense orange flavors of any citrus fruit, making them ideal for flavorings.
Some cooks use bitter oranges to flavor meat or fish dishes, and bitter oranges are excellent for cooking or baking. They provide an intensely citrus taste in desserts, and they add a fresh flavor to savory dishes. You can also use bitter oranges as a substitute for vinegar. Companies often use bitter oranges to flavor commercial products, such as candies or orange-flavored sauces. Bitter oranges are naturally high in pectin, and it's easy to make marmalade with them. They also make excellent marinades, salad dressings, herbal teas, compotes, and aioli.
You'll find bitter oranges during their peak season, which is typically from winter through early spring. They have a thick peel that can range from a light yellow to dark orange. They're round and juicy, and you'll find they have many seeds, which are the source of much of the fruit's natural pectin. Like other citrus fruits, bitter oranges are also high in vitamin C.
How to pick out bitter oranges
To find the freshest bitter orange, look for one that has a bright orange color. It should also feel firm. Don't worry if the peel has an uneven or bumpy texture, which won't affect the flavor. Pay attention to the smell as well. A fresh bitter orange will have a fragrant aroma.
Preserving bitter oranges
Typically, bitter oranges last around a week at room temperature. If you want to keep the fruit for longer than a week, place the oranges in the produce drawer of your refrigerator, where they'll stay fresh for up to 2 to 4 weeks. Bitter oranges also freeze well, and if you freeze them, they'll be safe to use for up to a year. You can freeze them whole or juice them and freeze them in ice cubes. You can also freeze the bitter orange zest for use as a seasoning or in baking.
Bitter Oranges Near Me
Buy your favorite Bitter Oranges online with Instacart. Order Bitter Oranges from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about bitter oranges
Bitter oranges have few scientifically supported medicinal uses. Since they're high in vitamin C, they may help improve the health of your skin. Some people use it for weight loss purposes, mainly because it contains a compound called synephrine, specifically p-synephrine, which is considered an appetite suppressant. Synephrine can also increase blood pressure and act as a mild stimulant. Concerns exist about whether synephrine is safe to use in supplement form.
Synephrine can increase heart rate, and it may cause serious health issues. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) classifies bitter oranges as a stimulant, and athletes cannot use this compound. Thankfully, bitter orange in its raw form does not have the same concerns as supplements derived from it. Bitter oranges can treat anxiety, constipation, indigestion, and diarrhea, but there isn't much scientific evidence to support how effective they are for these health issues.
Bitter oranges have a more robust orange flavor, and they're also much more sour and tart. Other varieties of orange tend to be sweeter and more pleasant to eat raw. You may also find them more easily at your local stores. Bitter oranges have much more pectin and usually have a thicker peel than the more common varieties of orange, such as navel oranges. Neroli oil, which originates from the flowers of bitter orange trees, may offer a calming effect for people.
If you're interested in trying out a new type of orange or you'd like to test a bitter orange marmalade recipe, check the Instacart app for stores in your area that sell bitter oranges. You'll find various produce and plenty of other items on your shopping list. Once you've found everything you need, place your order for same-day delivery from an Instacart shopper!