Why is the Valencian orange the best in the world?

We have all heard at some point that Valencian oranges are the best in the world. But what is the reason for such fame?

The location, the quality of the soil and the climate make Valencia the ideal place to produce the best oranges , they even already have international recognition and it is no wonder.

Valencia is a great land of farmers who, with determination and dedication, have earned their recognition.

Let's learn a little about its origin and the varieties that we can find regularly today.

Learn about the origin of the Valencian orange. A pride with centuries of history.

Both sweet and bitter oranges come from tropical and subtropical areas of Asia.

The sweet orange arrived in Spain in the 10th century through the Mediterranean thanks to Italian and Portuguese trade. While bitter oranges arrived from the south between the 9th and 10th centuries with the Arabs, since they used them as decoration, mainly for the fragrance of their flower. (Orange blossom)

The first record of sweet oranges in Valencia is in 1781 in the town of Carcaixent. After checking the yields of this plant compared to other crops, farmers were encouraged to change their plantations to citrus trees.

In the mid-19th century, Portugal was the main competitor in the export of oranges, but in 1850 the Portuguese orange trees were invaded by a plague of parasites that destroyed them in a few years.

This, together with the development of railway connections in the Valencian Community, meant that it was able to position itself ahead of other Spanish areas in the export of oranges to countries such as Holland, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Belgium.

Subsequently, there have been ups and downs due to the different political and social stages that the country has had, but Valencia has managed to remain a world leader as a producer of oranges.

How many types of oranges are there in Valencia?

Oranges are classified into three groups and within these groups we have different varieties, each one with its characteristics and seasons:

• navel
• White
• Sanguines

NAVEL

Oranges from the Navel group are characterized by being large, thick oranges with a “navel” shaped end. These are what we know as table oranges , although as we always say, you can make juice with any orange.

In Valencia , the most common varieties of the Navel group are the following:

• Navelina: It is the most cultivated due to its versatility. Its season runs from November to January.

• Lane late: from the end of January to the end of March.

• Navel power summer: Its season runs from April to June.

WHITE

Oranges from the white group have smoother skin and more juice. In this group are those we know as juice oranges .

In Valencia the two most cultivated within the white group are:

Salustiana: it is a very juicy orange, ideal for juice. Its season runs from December to March

Valencia late It is the latest. It runs from May to the end of July.

It is common to find oranges of the Valencia Late variety in August and September, but as you can see in the graph above, these oranges end their season in July, so the oranges you find in supermarkets or stores these months are preserved in chambers and treated. with post-harvest products so that they last longer.

In August and September THERE ARE NO ORANGES ON THE TREES. Eat other types of seasonal fruit these two months and come back for the best oranges in our fields.

SANGUINES

The blood orange is a variety of orange that is red inside. This color is due to the exposure of the fruit to very low night temperatures.

There are different varieties that can be found between February and May. Its flavor has a contrast between acidity and sweetness. It is usually grown in Italy although in Spain there are also some areas where it is produced.

In conclusion, Valencian oranges have a unique flavor and incomparable juiciness. They are characterized by being grown with traditional techniques, which contributes to their exceptional flavor. Furthermore, the oranges from our fields enjoy a warm and dry climate for most of the year, which makes the Valencian Community an ideal place to grow them.

Remember that at Campos Del Abuelo you have seasonal fruit directly from the farmer to your table.

We hope this content has been useful to you and we hope to see you again.