The benefits of the orange

2. History :
Native from China and
Southeast Asia, this typical
winter fruit was imported to
Europe in the fourteenth
century by Portuguese sailors.
However, some ancient Roman
texts tell of in the first century;
It was grown in Sicily and
where was called melarancia,
which could mean that the fruit
had reached Europe by land.
Probably the orange was grown
in the warm Sicily, but only
centuries later was
rediscovered by Portuguese
sailors.

3. -Name:
It comes from the Persian "narang". This fruit, arrived
in Italy through the Arabs was initially called
"narancio", and then orange. In some Southern dialects
is called "portuallu" .
The Orange tree can reach up to 12 metres ,with
elongated , fleshy leaves and white flowers . The fruits
are round and both the peel and the pulp are the
typical orange colour . The skin is characterized by a
slight roughness.
In Italy it is cultivated exclusively in Sicily and Calabria
and the production is 300 million of kilos per year
from November to April.
Orange trees in
Rosarno ,Reggio
Calabria
RED ORANGES
THE BEST QUALITY

4. -Healthy properties:
Oranges are an excellent source of vitamins, especially C
and A, together with the B vitamins (especially thiamine,
riboflavin and niacin).
A daily consumption of 2 or 3 oranges can cover the daily
requirement of C vitamin. As the C vitamin contributes to
the efficiency of the immune system, adequate
consumption of oranges in the winter months can be a
great ally in the prevention of episodes of colds. Oranges
are also characterized by high content in bioflavonoids,
substances which, together with C vitamin, play an
important role in the rebuilding of collagen connective
tissue. Therefore oranges can promote the strengthening of
bones, teeth, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

5. Smokers are a category of people who can take a particular benefit
in taking C vitamin and antioxidants contained in oranges.
The white skin under the orange peel also contains a fair amount of
soluble dietary fiber, effective in regulating the sugars, fats and
proteins.
It is known that a sufficient amount of dietary fiber is functional in
preventing diabetes and arteriosclerosis, and promotes the
intestinal transit, reducing putrefactive phenomena.
The discrete content of B vitamins stimulates the appetite, growth
and digestion, while the carotenes A vitamin precursors are useful
for the sight system, for the health of the skin, and in the
prevention of infections.

7. NUTRITIONAL VALUES PER 100 GRAMS OF ORANGE

8. HOW IT IS USED Like all sour fruit oranges are also
useful in helping digestion. The infusion of the bark has
aperitif and digestive effects. A decoction made from one or
two orange peel in 100ml of water helps against the bad
digestion and decreases stomach pains. The bitter orange
is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The pharmaceutical industry uses mainly the peel for the
preparation of various digestive and tonics. The peel of the bitter
orange, for its high content of synephrine, is also used in the
industry of food supplements, in the production of so-called
"thermogenic", used for slimming.

9. The whole fruit is used to make jams and
candied fruit, while the skin is used in
liqueurs (curacao, bitters).
They should be eaten at breakfast, for
snacks, and also in combination with
meat (for the absorption of iron) and fish
dishes.

10. CURIOSITY
• Oranges are eaten fresh, also juices , they are widely used in many dishes,
both sweet and savory: the pastry gets jams, creams, sorbets and ice
cream, sweets, used as decoration ( also in the form of jelly and icing); also
peel rich in essential oils is candied or used as a flavoring in desserts and
pastries.
•In Sicily oranges are prepared as a salad seasoned with olive oil, salt ,pepper and
sometimes olives too.

11. The orange blossom is highly fragrant and traditionally associated with good fortune. It
has long been popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths.
• Orange blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume
• Orange blossom honey is obtained by putting beehives in the citrus groves while
trees bloom. By this method, bees also pollinate seeded citrus varieties. This type of
honey has an orangey taste and is highly prized.
• According to the Greek mythology Juno, Jupiter's wife, provided some small trees as
dowry that produced gold fruits : oranges and lemons, which became symbols of love
and fertility. It is for this reason that even today, in the wedding celebrations, using the
orange flowers,is considered a symbol of purity of the bride.