Orange – nutritional value of the vitamin C bomb
The orange – one of the most popular and refreshing fruits worldwide – is not only a treat for the taste buds, but also a real powerhouse for health. But what makes the orange so special? In this article we take a look at the origin, nutritional values and valuable properties of oranges.
Storage time*
| EasyFresh safe 7 °C with air regulation plate | 45 days |
| Fridge compartment 7 °C | 36 days |
| Freezer compartment -18 °C | 8 months |
The key points
- Oranges are rich in vitamin C and, with around 60 to 70 calories per orange, offer a healthy refreshment.
- To remove wax residues and preservatives, oranges should be washed thoroughly with hot water and, if necessary, cleaned with a cloth or brush.
- Large oranges tend to have a longer shelf life than smaller fruits.
- If the peel becomes wrinkled, this means that the fruit is drying out and should be consumed quickly.
Oranges and their nutritional values: an ancient remedy with many benefits
Oranges like it hot – and that generally goes for all citrus fruits. They are said to originate from China, a fact also implied by the German word “Apfelsine”, a synonym for Orange. “Apfelsine” roughly translates as “apple from China”. Legend has it that it was sailors in the 16th century who brought the fruit from Asia to Europe. A terrible illness was rife among sailors at the time. The unbalanced diet at sea led to malnutrition – after a few weeks, the insufficient intake of vitamin C caused severe deficiency symptoms, which often led to death. Citrus fruits, especially oranges, provided relief. Thanks to their high vitamin C content, they were and still are the best medicine for many illnesses. With only about 60 to 70 calories per orange, they offer good nutritional value and light refreshment.
You know, incidentally, that citrus fruits are a form of berry? In actual fact, many citrus fruits, such as lemons, are termed as leather rind berries. This is due to the leathery rind which surrounds the berry fruit.
Tips for storing and preparing oranges, including their nutritional values
Oranges are often covered in a coating of wax to extend the shelf life of the fruit. Preservatives are frequently added as part of this. If you opt for waxed fruit you should wash the oranges with hot water in order to dissolve the wax. Any remaining wax can then be more easily removed with a cloth or a brush. Once the wax has been removed it ceases to offer any protection (i.e. from mould) – so it’s therefore best to use up the fruit as soon as possible.
Oranges stay fresh for up to 36 days in the fridge compartment at 7 °C, and even up to 45 days in the EasyFresh safe of your Liebherr fridge. Thanks to the air regulation plate, the humidity in the EasyFresh safe is higher than in the fridge compartment.
Incidentally, large oranges tend to keep longer than smaller fruits. A wrinkled skin is a sign of drying out – in this case you should consume the fruit straight away. Freezing is also an option of course. To do this, peel the orange, divide it up and place it in a freezer bag in your freezer. Here they keep for eight months. Alternatively, the flesh of the fruit can be puréed or the fruit can be squeezed with all its nutrients and frozen as a juice.
*All specifications given are to be considered as guideline values, and depend in each case on the type of food and on the proper storage without interruption of the cold chain from harvest/production through to the Liebherr appliance. Should food products have information about minimum shelf life, the date on the packaging always applies.
