The orange (Citrus × sinensis) is the world’s most widely grown citrus fruit and one of the most popular fruits overall. It originated as a hybrid between the pomelo and the mandarin in Southeast Asia and was spread globally through trade over centuries.
Oranges are consumed fresh, juiced, and as flavouring in countless food products. The peel is used for zest, marmalade, and essential oil extraction. Orange blossom water, distilled from the flowers, is used in Middle Eastern and North African cooking. Even the dried peel finds use in teas and spice blends.
Australia is a significant orange producer, with major growing regions in the Riverland (South Australia), Sunraysia (Victoria/New South Wales), and the Riverina (New South Wales). Navel oranges dominate fresh eating, while Valencia oranges are preferred for juicing.
How it's produced
Orange trees are grown in subtropical and warm temperate climates, typically propagated by grafting desired varieties onto hardy rootstock. Trees begin bearing commercial quantities of fruit around three to five years after planting and can remain productive for decades.
Most commercial orchards are irrigated and managed with careful pruning, pest control, and nutrition programs. Fruit is harvested by hand or with mechanical shakers, depending on whether it is destined for the fresh market or for juicing. Fresh-market oranges are graded, washed, and sometimes waxed before packing. Juice oranges are sent to processing plants where they are mechanically squeezed; the juice is either sold fresh or pasteurised and concentrated for storage and transport.
What it costs the planet (per kilo)
* Based on what it takes to produce, from farm to factory gate.
Keeping it
Keep it: in the fridge or on the counter.
Advice from Cubud’s own keeping notes — how to keep it, not a measured number.
What comes from this
Your household's take
One thumb per person, shared with your household — it steers what the wider-web shelf and the swap chips offer you. Tap again to take it back.
✎ Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction
Checking who you are...