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Sour oranges are small to medium in size, averaging 7-8 centimeters in diameter, and are round to oval in shape. The rough skin transitions from green when young to red-orange when mature and is thick, aromatic, wrinkly, and bitter with small oil glands that create a slightly bumpy texture. Underneath the skin, the pale orange flesh is firm, contains a few to many small, inedible seeds, and is divided into 10-12 segments by thin, white membranes. With maturity, the center of the flesh may also become hollow. Sour oranges are juicy and acidic with an extremely bitter taste.
Seasons/Availability
Sour oranges are available year-round, with a peak season in the late fall through early spring.
Current Facts
Sour oranges, botanically classified as Citrus aurantium, are bitter fruits that grow on compact evergreen trees reaching 3-9 meters in height and are members of the Rutaceae or citrus family. Also known as the Bitter orange, Seville orange, and Bigarade, Sour oranges are found in tropical and subtropical climates all over the world, often near water and in wooded areas, and have become a prominent acid in many different cultural cuisines. Mainly used for their juice and fragrant rind as flavoring, Sour oranges are incorporated into both sweet and savory culinary applications, cooked into marmalade, and the essential oils are also extracted and used as a fragrance for household cleaning detergents.
Nutritional Value
Sour oranges contain some fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C.
Applications
Sour oranges are best suited for flavoring culinary dishes and are rarely used in fresh applications as their bitter flesh is unpalatable raw. The orange rinds and juice are most commonly used in marmalades due to their high pectin content and are often spread over crackers and bread for a sweet-tart meal. The oranges can also be juiced and used to flavor salsas, soups, salad dressings, ceviche, marinades for meat, chutney, candy, puddings, pies, and candied fruits. In addition to food dishes, the juice of Sour oranges is used in cocktails, in liquors such as cointreau, curacao, triple sec, and grand mariner, used to flavor teas, or made into a lemonade-like drink mixed with sugar to balance out the acidity. The orange can also be pickled and served as a condiment on gyros and tacos. Sour oranges pair well with meats such as chicken, duck, pork, beef, and fish, garlic, bay leaves, cumin, serrano peppers, and herbs such as cilantro, oregano, and thyme. The fruits will keep for 2-4 weeks when stored loosely wrapped in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Once absent from North American commercial markets, Sour oranges are making their way into local farms and grocers, allowing immigrants to pass on cultural traditions and recreate dishes using the bitter fruit from their home country. Family recipes from Spain, England, and Scotland cook Sour oranges into marmalade and serve it on toast with tea, while in South Africa and the Caribbean, marmalade is spread on crackers and layered between slices of dense Jamaican dough bread. There is also a significant Caribbean population on the east coast of the United States that is continuing the tradition of roasting Sour oranges and mixing the pulp with sugar to create a remedy to soothe sore throats. In addition to marmalade, Sour oranges are being written into America’s culinary story by the cultural practice from Mexico of slicing the oranges in half, coating them in chili pepper paste, salting, and consuming them as a snack. In Cuba, the juice is used in the famous marinade known as mojo criollo.
Geography/History
Sour oranges are native to southeast Asia and have been cultivated for thousands of years. The fruits were first introduced to Arabia in the 9th century and were then brought to Spain and Europe in the 12th century. From Europe, Sour oranges were carried aboard ships and introduced via European explorers and settlers to the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America in the 16th century. Today Sour oranges are cultivated and sold at farmers markets and specialty grocers in the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.
Donde La Coste 2
Plaza Minorista
(321) 542-6632
Naranjas agrias! De formas irregulares y muy medicinales. Sour oranges are uniquely bitter and acidic, ideal for medicinal and culinary uses. They measure 7-8 centimeters in diameter and have wrinkly, aromatic skin that turns red-orange when mature. Inside, the firm, pale orange flesh is segmented into 10-12 parts and contains inedible seeds. Interestingly, the center flesh may become hollow as the fruit ripens, giving it an irregular structure.
Buford Highway Farmers Market
5600 Buford Hwy NE Doravilla GA 30340
+1 (770) 455-0770
Sour oranges are ideal for culinary flavoring, not for raw consumption due to their bitter flesh. Their high pectin content makes them perfect for marmalades, paired with crackers or bread for a sweet-tart treat. They enhance salsas, soups, marinades, and desserts, and can be pickled for gyros or tacos. Their juice enriches cocktails, teas, and sauces. Sour oranges complement meats, garlic, herbs, and spices, and last 2-4 weeks refrigerated.
Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market
2350 Spring Rd SE Smyrna, GA 30080 United States
+1 (678) 309-0007
Sour oranges are also called Bitter oranges, Seville oranges, or Bigarades and are members of the Rutaceae family. They grow on compact evergreen trees that can reach heights of 3 to 9 meters. Found in tropical and subtropical regions near water or wooded areas, they are highly valued for their juice, fragrant rind, and essential oils, which are used in cooking, marmalades, and even household cleaning products.
Buford Highway Farmers Market
5600 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340
(770) 455-0770
https://www.aofwc.com/
Sour oranges: Sour oranges have a rich history, originating in Southeast Asia and tracing their way to Arabia in the 9th century, then Europe by the 12th century. These fruits were introduced to the Americas in the 16th century by European explorers. Today, they are still grown globally, found in the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, often sold in farmers markets and specialty grocers.
Sour oranges are available at Essex Street Market in New York City. Sour oranges have deep cultural significance, appearing in traditional recipes worldwide. In Spain, England, and Scotland, they are used to make marmalade served with tea. Caribbean traditions include spreading the marmalade on crackers or dense Jamaican bread. On the U.S. east coast, Caribbean communities roast Sour oranges and mix the pulp with sugar as a sore throat remedy. In Mexico, they are enjoyed sliced, coated with chili paste, and salted, while in Cuba, their juice flavors the classic mojo criollo marinade.
Sour oranges are here at Your Dekalb Farmers Market in Atlanta Georgia ..Sour oranges have a rough skin that turns from green to red-orange as they mature. Their flesh is pale orange, firm, and divided into 10-12 segments by white membranes. Despite being juicy, these oranges are characterized by their sharp acidity and extreme bitterness. They may also contain multiple inedible seeds and develop a hollow center when fully mature.
Winn Dixie
Sour oranges are not ideal for fresh eating due to their bitter taste but are exceptional for culinary uses. Their rinds and juice are prized in marmalades for their high pectin content and can enhance dishes like salsas, ceviche, soups, and marinades. They add depth to cocktails and liquors such as triple sec and cointreau. Sour oranges store well for 2-4 weeks in the refrigerator when loosely wrapped.
Sour oranges grow on compact evergreen trees that can reach heights of 3-9 meters. They belong to the Rutaceae family and thrive in tropical and subtropical regions, often near water and wooded areas. Known by names such as Bitter orange, Seville orange, and Bigarade, they are prized for their juice and fragrant rind in both sweet and savory dishes and are a key ingredient in marmalades. Their essential oils are widely used in fragrances for household cleaning products.
Food Town Grocery
6431 Stirling Rd Davie Davie FL 33314
1 (954) 797-7791
Sour oranges were first cultivated in southeast Asia and carried to Arabia in the 9th century. By the 12th century, they reached Spain and Europe. Later, European explorers brought them to the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America in the 16th century. Nowadays, the fruits are cultivated and sold in regions including the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, often found at farmers markets and specialty grocers.
Deklab Farmers Market
3000 Ponce de Leon Ave Decatur Georgia 30031
(404) 377-6400
Sour oranges - here at Your Dekalb Farmers Market near Atlanta … Sour oranges have played a significant role in diverse culinary traditions worldwide. In Spain, England, and Scotland, they are transformed into marmalade, traditionally served with tea. Caribbean cultures roast them and mix the pulp with sugar as a sore throat remedy. In Mexico, they are enjoyed coated with chili paste and salt. In Cuban cuisine, their juice is a key ingredient in the famous marinade mojo criollo.
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