Oranges are so ubiquitous that it is easy to overlook their special qualities. Yet, they are packed with a bounty of vitamins and minerals that can make a wonderful difference in your daily diet.
But more than anything else, oranges are the ultimate in flavoring fruits. Their sweet flavor makes them an ideal addition to any meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner.
When you are looking for the best orange for zest, you need to look no further than the citrus tree family: The citrus genus contains over two hundred varieties of fruit trees. Depending on their location, climate and other factors like soil quality and exposure to sunlight, these varieties yield varying levels of fruit.
This article presents details about seven of the most common orange varieties as well as some things you should know when looking for the best orange for zest…
What is zest?
Zest is the colorless outer skin that adheres to an orange or grapefruit when the fruit is fresh. It contains volatile essential oils that give fruits their unique flavors, and also the vitamins and minerals that make them healthy to consume.
When you are looking for the best orange for zest, you need to look no further than the citrus tree family: The citrus genus contains over two hundred varieties of fruit trees.
Depending on their location, climate and other factors like soil quality and exposure to sunlight, these varieties yield varying amounts of fruit.
This article presents details about seven of the most common orange varieties as well as some things you should know when looking for the best orange for zest.
Which oranges are best for zest?
The best citrus for zest is usually a sweet orange with a thin skin like the Valencia oranges or a blood orange. These oranges are generally picked when they are still quite firm and have a bright color. They are also the most aromatic and full of essential oils. Another orange that is great for zest is the mandarin orange. This is a hybrid of the orange and the Mandarin orange, which has a thicker skin and is less aromatic.
However, if you are looking for the best orange for zest, do not look past the sweet oranges. They are the best because they have a high concentration of essential oils and are full of vitamins and minerals.
Blood Orange
Blood oranges are a hybrid of the orange and a sour grapefruit. They have a deep reddish-orange color and an intense flavor that is somewhere between orange and grapefruit.
They are often used in marmalades and preserves or as toppings for ice cream and chocolate. Blood oranges are great for zest, but they are also high in vitamin C and lycopene, which is a health-boosting phytonutrient found in tomatoes and guava that is associated with reduced risk of heart disease and prostate cancer.
Clementine
Clementines are a hybrid of mandarins and oranges, and they have a very delicately sweet flavor. They are rounder in shape than the other oranges and are usually picked when they are fully ripe
While they are best for zest, they are also great for eating as is. They are very juicy, making them an excellent choice for preserving.
Fuji
The Japanese grapefruit is a hybrid of the grapefruit and orange. It has a dark purple skin with a sweet and tangy flavor. It is one of the best oranges for zest, and it can be eaten as is or used as a citrus ingredient in marmalades, sauces and beverages.
Spanish Valencia Orange (also known as Bitter Orange)
Spanish Valencia oranges are also known as bitter oranges because they are full of pomelo’s tart and bitter flavoring properties. This orange is great for zest and also for eating as is.
Persian lime or Asian Blood Lime
Persian limes are a hybrid between the lime and the orange. These limes are best for zest and are fully ripe when they are green. They have a very fragrant zesty orange flavor, and they are an excellent source of vitamin C.
Conclusion
Make the most of your orange by taking advantage of its zesty flavor, and look for an orange that is best for zest like the sweet Valencia oranges or a mandarin orange.
They are full of vitamins and minerals, and can be eaten as is or used in recipes. The Persian lime and Asian blood lime are the best citrus for zest because they have a strong citrus flavor and are fully ripe.
Sweet oranges are the best orange for zest because they have a high concentration of essential oils and are full of vitamins and minerals. If you are looking for the best orange for zest, make sure to look for an orange that is best for zest.