Oranges

Oranges

Sweet, juicy and very good for you – oranges enrich our diet and can also be used in a number of different ways.

Its alternative German name gives it away: oranges come from the Far East! Their German name, “Apfelsine”, means “Apple from China”. There have been oranges in the Middle Kingdom for more than 3,000 years, but today Brazil and the USA are the world’s biggest producers of this, the most widely grown citrus fruit on the planet. Everyone knows that they not only taste good and contain high levels of vitamin C, but they also provide many more healthy nutrients such as polyphenols. These secondary plant metabolites have an antioxidant effect, helping to reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system.

What’s more, oranges make you happy: they are a source of vitamin B, which is responsible for the creation of serotonin, a hormone that creates feelings of calmness and contentment. These round fruit are an asset in the kitchen too. The pleasantly sweet and slightly sharp flesh of the fruit brings a fresh and fruity note to many dishes, from classics such as duck à l’orange and crêpes suzette to lamb’s lettuce with walnuts, and more simply in a salad with olive oil, honey and pepper. If you want to use the peel, ensure that you buy quality organic fruit. Otherwise, it all comes down to what’s inside: smaller fruits are often much sweeter and juicier than big ones with thicker skins.