The story of the orange Orange is the most famous and widespread citrus. The fruits grow on an evergreen tree. Orange flowers are large, ple...
The story of the orange
Orange is the most famous and widespread citrus. The fruits grow on an evergreen tree. Orange flowers are large, pleasantly smelling, they are harvested for tea or sachets. According to some botanists' assumptions, orange may be a hybrid of a pomelo and a mandarin.
The original orange tree looked very different. It was low, covered with thorns, and had a bitter-sour fruit. They were not eaten, but trees began to be cultivated because of the beautiful bright color of the fruits. It happened in China in 2300 BC. Gradually, the Chinese crossed trees with the brightest and sweetest fruits and received new varieties.
In Europe, the orange was recognized only in the 15th century. Everyone appreciated the unusual and beautiful fruit and made attempts to grow the tree in the new climate. For this, special greenhouses had to be built to protect the overseas fruit from the cold. They were called greenhouses (from the word orange - "orange").
We borrowed the Russian name "orange" from the Dutch. They called it "appelsien" - which literally translates to "apple from China."
The main suppliers of oranges are still countries with hot tropical and subtropical climates: India, China, Brazil, warm states of America. In countries with cold climates, oranges can only be grown in greenhouses, as the trees freeze outdoors.
The benefits of an orange
Orange is extremely useful for vitamin deficiency, as it contains many vitamins in high concentration: C, A, E, vitamins of group B.
Pectin and fiber in the orange help with various diseases of the stomach and intestines. They envelop the mucous membrane, accelerate peristalsis in case of constipation, nourish beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. By the way, it is pectin that gives orange jam such a jelly-like structure.
Also, orange juice is drunk with food to whet the appetite, which will help to eat the right amount of food during illness. The phytoncides in this fruit have an antibacterial effect. If you eat half an orange during a cold, the weakness and weakness will recede a little, and you will recover faster.
Orange is called a sunny fruit for a reason - it has a scientific basis. The fruit's rind contains essential oils that are often used in aromatherapy and are added to various ointments. Orange oil has a relaxing, sedative effect while improving mood. According to statistics, the smell of orange is the third most popular fragrance. It is second only to chocolate and vanilla.
The positive effect of orange on the heart and blood vessels is also known. Anthocyanins in this fruit have an antioxidant effect, protecting cells from the harmful oxidative process. Flavonoids reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing vascular fragility. They also prevent blood clots by inhibiting blood clotting and increasing the elasticity of red blood cells.
Orange harm
Any citrus fruits are a strong allergen; this fruit should not be given to children under one year old. Non-allergy sufferers can be given to taste oranges after a year, allergy-prone children - not earlier than three years.
“Orange has a high acidity, which is bad for tooth enamel. For those who have problems with enamel and the risk of its destruction is high, it is better to rinse your mouth after eating an orange. Alternatively, you can drink the juice through a straw to protect your teeth.
For the same reason, drinking freshly squeezed orange juice on an empty stomach or eating fruit is not worth it for people suffering from ulcers, gastritis, a high acidity of gastric juice. It is better to eat fruit after a meal, and only in remission, ”advises dietitian Yulia Pigareva.
The use of orange in medicine
In modern medicine, mainly orange oil extracted from the peel is used. It is actively used in aromatherapy and is added to various cosmetics.
Drinking juice and eating oranges are also recommended for weakened people with vitamin deficiencies. Oranges are also useful for retention of bile, urine, constipation; since the fruits have light urine - a choleretic effect and accelerate intestinal peristalsis.The popular ability of the orange to "burn fat" during the orange diet is not scientifically substantiated. Indeed, the naringin substance in this fruit can reduce appetite and force the liver to start fat-burning processes. But in a small dose, this effect is not at all noticeable, and a couple of oranges, on the contrary, will rather awaken the appetite. Eating a few dozen fruits for the sake of losing weight is unlikely to be a smart decision.
In folk medicine, the leaves, orange peel are used in the form of decoctions as a sedative.
The use of orange in cooking
In Russia, the orange is used mainly in sweet dishes, jams, pies, cocktails. But in other countries, the pulp is fried, added to various salty and spicy dishes.
They eat not only the pulp and juice from it but also the peels themselves - you can make candied fruits from them, extract fragrant oil.
Orange pie
One of the most flavorful pies available in any season. It is easy to make a cake from it by cutting the cake into cakes and smearing it with any cream or cream.
- Eggs - 3 pieces
- Flour - 150 gr
- Sugar - 180 gr
- Orange - 1 piece
- Vegetable oil - half a teaspoon
- Powdered sugar - 1 tablespoon
- Salt - a pinch
- Baking powder - 1 tsp
Break eggs into a bowl and beat with sugar until fluffy with a mixer or whisk. Add salt, baking powder, zest, mix. Gradually introduce the sifted flour, continuing to beat the dough at low speed.
Add the orange cubes, stir gently with a spoon, and pour the dough into a greased mold. Bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for about half an hour.
Orange marinade for meat
An unusual marinade will not leave anyone indifferent.
The sour-sweet-spicy taste will appeal to many, although lovers of traditional cuisine may seem too exotic. You can marinate any meat, but chicken and duck go best with oranges. After the marinade, cook the meat in any way you like.
- Oranges - 1 piece
- Honey - 30 ml
- Ground coriander, turmeric - half a tablespoon each
- Garlic - 2 cloves
- Olive oil - 25 ml
- Salt, ground pepper - to taste
Add spices, salt, oil, liquid honey, crushed garlic to the juice. Mix everything and place the meat in a container with marinade - it is convenient to use small pieces, for example, chicken legs.
Marinate for at least an hour, preferably three. Then you can bake in the oven at 180 degrees until tender.
How to choose and store an orange
The oranges are harvested while still green to survive transportation. Additionally, the fruit is coated with wax with fungicides against fungi. These substances in a small dose are not dangerous to humans, but it is still better to wash the fruits thoroughly and under hot water.
When choosing, pay attention first of all to the weight of the fetus. Juicy, thin-skinned oranges are heavy, not overly large, and have a smooth, non-porous rind. But the color of the peel does not have to be orange - sometimes a green barrel is in fully ripe fruit.
Ripe oranges have a distinctive bright odor but may be faint due to the wax coating.
At room temperature, oranges are stored for a maximum of a couple of weeks, after which they begin to dry out a lot. For longer storage, pack the fruits in the paper, preferably each orange separately, and put it in the refrigerator. So the fruit will last up to two months.
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