The Difference Between Big Navel Oranges and Small Navel Oranges
When picking out oranges, you can look closely at their navels. Some oranges have big, round navels with a noticeable dip in the center, while others just have a tiny spot.
So, what’s the main difference in quality between big navel oranges and small navel oranges? When you cut open a big navel orange, you’ll notice that the navel is covered in a white membrane, and there are only a few segments inside, mostly just peel, which doesn’t taste very good. Usually, the segments aren’t very sweet and have less juice than you’d expect.
On the other hand, small navel oranges don’t have a distinct navel, their skin is thinner, and the segments are juicier and sweeter. Basically, the main differences between big and small navel oranges are their sweetness and juiciness. So, when you’re buying oranges, check the navel to find the tastiest ones!
1. How to choose delicious oranges
When you’re picking out oranges, there are some important things to consider besides just looking for the navel.
2. Based on color
The bright golden yellow of oranges is super eye-catching, but if you take a closer look, you’ll notice they come in different shades. For the same type of orange, the darker the color, the more sunlight it has absorbed, which means it has more sugar and will taste sweeter and juicier. So, go for those darker ones!
3. Based on shape
At the orange stand, you might see oranges that are oval, round, plump, or even a bit wrinkly. If you want the tastiest oranges, pick the round ones because they tend to be the juiciest and sweetest.
4. Feel by hand
When you pick up an orange, pay attention to how heavy it feels. A big orange might not be heavy if it has a lot of peel and dry parts inside. If the orange feels heavy in your hand, it’s likely fresh and juicy. If it feels light, it might have been picked a while ago and won’t taste as good.
Also, squeeze the orange gently. Fresh, ripe oranges will feel a bit bouncy when you pinch them. If it’s hard to pinch, it probably has a thick skin and won’t be very tasty.