The orange is a popular, round citrus fruit known for its sweet, juicy pulp and high vitamin C content. 

Origin and History

Oranges originated in a region spanning southern China, northeast India, and Myanmar.

The fruit name came before the English word for the color.

Before the 16th century, English speakers called the color "yellow-red" or "red-yellow".

The word derives from the Sanskrit word naranga, passing through Persian and Arabic before entering European languages. 

Botany and Growth

Botanically named Citrus × sinensis, the sweet orange is a hybrid of the pomelo and the mandarin orange.

In warm tropical climates, ripe oranges can stay green because chlorophyll acts as a natural shield against the heat.

Cool winter temperatures break down the green chlorophyll to reveal the bright orange color underneath.