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Valencia Oranges Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Valencia oranges
About Valencia oranges
Sweet and juicy, Valencia oranges bring the taste of summer with their bright orange coloring and flavors. Add them to your fruit basket for a punchy and pleasant jolt of vitamin C.
Valencia oranges are named for the town of Valencia, Spain, which is home to bountiful citrus production. However, Valencia oranges are actually a hybrid orange produced by a California citrus farmer who named this new fruit for the town in Spain known for its sweet fruit. Since the mid-20th century, the bulk of Valencia orange production occurs in Florida, the citrus capital of the United States. In fact, nearly half of Florida's orange production is made up of Valencia oranges.
Valencia oranges are notable for their notably bright orange juice, which makes them popular as a primary ingredient in store-bought as well as homemade orange juice. Unlike the seedless navel orange, a Valencia orange is unique in that it has one to six seeds.
Valencia oranges are also unique because they are the only variety of oranges harvested during the summer months. If you are eating a fresh orange between the months of March and July, there is a high likelihood that it is a Valencia orange. Despite their relatively short growing period, Valencias rank among the most popular fruits in the citrus family for their uniquely sweet and bright taste and coloring.
How to pick out Valencia oranges
When selecting Valencia oranges at the market, look out for firm and heavy fruits for their size, which is an indication that you have selected a ripe, juicy Valencia. Valencia oranges tend to have thin skins, which differ from the character of other oranges with a thicker rind like the navel of Honeybells. Avoid oranges that have soft spots, bruising, or faded coloration, all of which are indicators that the orange is nearing the end of its edible lifespan.
Valencia Oranges Near Me
Buy your favorite Valencia Oranges online with Instacart. Order Valencia Oranges from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Valencia oranges
Like much of the citrus family, Valencia oranges are positively bursting with health benefits. One orange contains all the vitamin C that your body needs for an entire day. Citrus is also high in fiber, with one cup of orange segments providing four grams of fiber. Oranges are also high in soluble fiber, which is particularly potent for lowering cholesterol levels, and offer a high level of antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system. All of this power comes at a relatively low caloric cost, despite the full feelings they leave eaters with when consumed.
Studies have shown that oranges may have cancer-fighting benefits, with some research linking citrus consumption with a decreased likelihood of esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Plant compounds known as flavonoids act as antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and other diseases.
Orange juice and whole oranges are nutritionally similar, but there are some notable differences in their nutritional compositions. Because orange juice removes much of the pulp, it reduces the amount of fiber and increases the number of concentrated carbs and sugars.
However, Valencia orange juice is still a fantastic source of vitamin C; just make sure that you find sources of fiber elsewhere in your diet. If you find yourself with a surplus of Valencia oranges, homemade orange juice is a delicious treat for breakfast or anytime. For a sweet and cool summer treat, pour some of the juice into a popsicle mold for a refreshing frozen creation.
When you are looking to try out a new recipe, don't overlook the culinary power of citrus. Valencia oranges, in particular, are extremely versatile and offer a balance of sweet and tart that make them very successful when incorporated into cooking. Blend them with your choice of milk, yogurt, and ice for a healthy and tangy smoothie. Add sections of orange to a salad; the olive oil joins with the tartness of the orange for pure culinary alchemy.
Valencia oranges can also be combined with other ingredients to make a marinade or glaze that elevates chicken, beef, duck, and even seafood. Valencia oranges are also wonderful when baked into bread or citrus muffins. As an added treat, candy the peel of the Valencia orange as a topping for your creation to bring a crunchy, sweet pop of joy to every bite.
Valencia oranges, eaten whole or as part of a meal, are a wonderful and fun addition to any grocery list! The next time you are stocking up on weekly eats or preparing for a dinner party, let Instacart make the shopping part easy. With same-day delivery in as little as 2 hours, Instacart can bring a little citrus sunshine right to your doorstep!