If you like sweet, juicy navel oranges, you know they can be delightful to eat. Though sometimes they can be a bit messy or hard to handle.
Navel oranges are a type of citrus fruit known for their sweet taste and the cute “belly-button” looking spot on one end. That’s how they got their name!
Enjoying a navel orange is simple and fun, and you can do it almost anywhere—whether you’re at home, in the office, or out and about. They make a great, refreshing snack that’s also good for you.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Picking the Perfect Orange
The first thing you need to do is find a good, ripe orange. A nice one will feel firm but will give a little when you squeeze it, and the skin will be bright and smooth. It should feel heavier than it looks, which means it’s full of juice. Stay away from oranges that are too squishy or have spots, because they might not be the best to eat.
Step 2: Washing the Orange
Always wash the orange before eating. This washes off any dirt or chemicals on the skin. Just rinse it under cool running water and rub it gently with your hands. If you want, you can also scrub it with a brush made for cleaning veggies.
Step 3: Peeling It Open
There are different ways to peel your orange, but an easy one is to cut off the top and bottom, then use your fingers to peel the skin back. If you want, you can also use a small knife, but be careful not to cut off too much of the tasty part inside.
Step 4: Splitting It into Wedges
Once you’ve peeled your orange, you can break it into wedges. Hold the orange and cut between the segments with a knife, or just use your fingers if you can feel where they split naturally.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Orange
Now it’s time to eat and enjoy! Pop a wedge into your mouth and taste how sweet it is. If you’d rather not use your fingers, you can use a spoon or fork to pick the pieces out.
Tips for Orange Eaters:
- If the peel is too thick or tastes bitter, you can just take off the very top layer with a small knife or a tool called a citrus zester. That way you keep the sweet part underneath.
- To make your orange juicier, roll it gently on the table or in your hands before you peel it. This loosens things up inside and lets more juice come out.
- If the wedges are being stubborn and won’t come out, you can use a little spoon to help scoop them out.
- Navel oranges are full of good stuff like vitamin C, so go ahead and eat the bits close to the peel or the white parts around the wedges. Just spit out any seeds you find.
- You can do more with navel oranges than just eat them as they are. Try squeezing them into juice, slicing them for a salad, or even using them in recipes when you’re cooking or baking. They’ll add a pop of flavor and vitamins to your dishes.
Wrapping Up
Eating a navel orange is easy and tasty, and a good way to make your meals more interesting. Just follow these straightforward steps to make the most of this delicious fruit. Try different ways to include navel oranges in your recipes or as a snack.
Navel oranges are a sweet, nutritious choice whether you’re kicking back at home or need a quick bite while you’re out.
