What’s more refreshing than a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice?
With so many types of oranges out there, it can be difficult to know which varieties are the best oranges for juicing. One of the perks of making fresh juice yourself is that you get to decide exactly what kind of oranges you’d like to use!
Whether you prefer a sweet or more tart and tangy taste, there’s certainly no harm in experimenting with flavor. Many varieties mean many possibilities – keep reading for an expert list of all the best oranges for juicing!
Valencia Orange
The perfectly sweet flavor of a Valencia orange makes for a wonderfully refreshing glass of homemade orange juice. Available throughout most of the year, there’s no doubt the Valencia orange is one of the best oranges for juicing.
In fact, most commercially made orange juices are made from Valencia oranges. Widespread availability, low cost, an easily removable peel, and of course, desirable flavor – make this one of the best oranges for juicing!
Valencia oranges contain minimal seeds, with each orange usually containing between one to nine. Fewer seeds mean more room for juice, which means more bang for your buck!
This excellent choice is sure to give you the high-quality juice you’re looking for.
Navel Orange
The Sweet Navel Orange is a common variety often considered to be one of the best oranges for juicing. This variety is seedless, and the peel can be easily removed. Each orange typically has a diameter of about three to four inches wide, with a large juice yield.
The sweet flavor of this orange makes for a delicious juice, but beware of the presence of limonin. When exposed to oxygen for prolonged periods, this substance can turn your sweet juice into a bitter surprise.
To avoid a bitter taste, make sure to drink your Navel orange juice once it’s freshly squeezed. If you’re making a big batch – freezing the extra juice will help prevent the bitter flavor from developing!
Cara Cara Orange
The Cara Cara Orange is a type of Navel orange that is undoubtedly one of the best oranges for juicing. The flesh of the Cara Cara has a reddish tint, making its appearance quite similar to that of a grapefruit.
Just like the navel, this variety is seedless and easy to peel. Unlike the navel, juice made from the Cara Cara orange will not turn bitter. The juice is deliciously sweet, with the perfect hint of tartness!
Tangelo Orange
The Tangelo Orange is a deliciously unique fruit that is a cross between the tangerine and the grapefruit or pomelo. A small nub at the top of this fruit makes them easily distinguishable from other varieties. The peel effortlessly slips away from the skin, adding to why tangelos are one of the best oranges for juicing!
Tangelos are about the size of a fist, and each fruit contains a very generous amount of juice. The sweeter notes from the tangerine beautifully complement the more tart notes from the grapefruit, which gives your orange juice a delightful, well-balanced flavor.
Tangelos make a fine juice on their own, or can be combined with other varieties for a brilliant blend of flavors.
The tangelo is a seasonal orange, and is usually found between December to March in most regions.
Blood Orange
Teeming with antioxidants, the Blood Orange is not only one of the best oranges for juicing, but it’s also jam-packed with health benefits.
The crimson-red flesh of the blood orange offers a unique flavor and color to your freshly squeezed and antioxidant-rich orange juice. The juice is on the sweeter side, yet the gentle presence of tartness creates the perfect balance of flavor guaranteed to be a new favorite.
Blood oranges make a great juice on their own, but can also be combined with other orange varieties to add a bit of fun color and flavor to your juice. Some even say that the flavor of blood oranges is speckled with notes of raspberry.
Generally found from December to April, blood oranges are available at a time most orange varieties are not. Although they cost more than other orange varieties, the benefits of this eccentric fruit are well worth the price, making it one of the best oranges for juicing!
Satsuma Orange
A close relative of the mandarin orange, the Satsuma Orange has a light, refreshing flavor that makes it one of the best oranges for juicing.
Satsumas have an easily removable peel, little to no seeds, less pulp than other popular varieties, and are rather high in fiber. The juice will be sweet and have a slightly tart flavor.
Because satsumas are a smaller variety of orange, you will need to pay a bit more to have enough to make a batch of orange juice. However, the delicious taste of this fresh fruit is certainly worth the price.
Although only available from October to December, satsumas may be safely stored in the fridge for up to a month afterward.
Hamlin Orange
Hamlin Oranges are juicy, sweet, and undeniably one of the best oranges for juicing. This very round fruit has few seeds and low acidity, making them a great choice for people who are sensitive to acidic foods.
This variety is generally available from early fall until early spring, making it a popular choice during the winter season.
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a Hamlin orange – try adding the juice to other orange varieties. The sweet taste of a Hamlin is very complimentary to tart flavors. Mixing these different varieties is sure to give you a flavor fusion you won’t forget!
Tangerines
Another member of the mandarin family, the tangerine is a unique variety that has often been deemed one of the best oranges for juicing. Tangerines are easy to peel, seedless, have a more acidic and tart flavor, and can even assist with losing weight.
High levels of Synephrine, a common aid in weight loss, make tangerine juice a great option for those who want to slim down.
Because of their smaller size, you will need to buy a higher number of tangerines to ensure you have enough for your fresh juice. Tangerines are in season from fall to spring.
Due to the more tart flavor, tangerines make for a fantastic addition to other orange juices. Pairing especially well with sweeter varieties, Valencia orange juice is a great candidate.
The next time you opt for freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice, try adding in a few tangerines to boost the flavor profile!
Clementines
Despite their tiny size, the clementine has earned a well-deserved spot on the list of the best oranges for juicing.
The loose skin comes right off, and their seedless nature makes for a much more convenient juicing experience. Clementines are one of the sweetest oranges, and have a deliciously refreshing flavor.
Available during the winter months and into early spring, clementines are a popular choice for the holiday season!
Things to Consider
When thinking about the best oranges for juicing, there are many things to take into account. Everyone has different personal preferences, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for in the best oranges for juicing.
Flavor Profile
Are you someone who prefers a tangy flavor, or would you rather have a more sweet taste? Are you looking to make a freshly squeezed version of commercial orange juice, or do you want to experiment with flavor? Will you be using just one type of orange, or will you mix multiple varieties?
Availability
Making sure you know when different varieties of oranges are in season can help eliminate any unwanted surprises when purchasing fresh fruit.
Specific orange types are available at different times, but don’t panic if the type of orange you like is not in season. You never know, broadening your horizons may lead you to find a new favorite variety!
Juice Yield
Smaller oranges naturally mean smaller quantities of juice per fruit. Seeds take up space in a fruit, and oranges with more seeds tend to offer less juice.
Price
Purchasing certain varieties when they’re off-season can lead to higher than usual prices. In addition, needing to buy more fruit due to a smaller size can mean paying more in the long run.
Storage
Just like with most culinary creations, freshly squeezed orange juice is at its best when it’s consumed directly after it was made. If you’ve made a large batch, freezing your juice is the best way to ensure it stays in tip-top shape.
Fresh juice may also be stored in the fridge, but for Navel orange juice, be careful! Fridge storage will cause the juice to turn bitter.
Picking the Best Oranges for Juicing
With so many delicious options to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong when picking the best oranges for juicing. Knowing your flavor preferences is the best way to ensure you’re making the tastiest juice possible.
But remember — orange juice isn’t just for drinking! Here are recipes using freshly squeezed orange juice that will really inspire you to get juicing year-round!
There are lots of different orange cultivars that serve a multitude of purposes. Visit our Orange Trees page to check out our other blog posts and helpful guides for all your growing and tree care questions!
- About the Author
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Spending her early childhood in the Hudson Valley region of New York, Alanna Singletary has wonderful memories of helping her uncle tend to his lush garden each year.
Rather than turning on Saturday cartoons, her winter mornings were filled with sap collection and maple syrup production; while summer days brought tomato picking and countless hours tending to a homemade tomato sauce.
Now residing in North Carolina, Alanna continues to assist with her father’s grand garden and is working on growing crops of her own. Her garden experience at an early age set her up for a constant desire to learn, something she continues to carry in all aspects of life.