It's all about navels.

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The origin of navel oranges can be traced back to a chance mutation that occurred in the early 19th century in Bahia, Brazil. The navel orange is a type of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) characterized by a small, undeveloped second fruit located at the blossom end, which resembles a human navel. This secondary fruit is actually a small, underdeveloped orange, and it is seedless.

The story of the navel orange's origin begins with a single tree that was discovered in a Brazilian monastery around 1820. The original navel orange tree was a mutation from the Selecta orange variety, a sweet orange cultivar widely grown in Brazil at the time. This mutation caused the formation of a second fruit at the blossom end of the orange, which gave it the appearance of having a "navel."

The discovery of this unique fruit piqued the interest of local farmers and horticulturists. Recognizing the value of the seedless and sweet fruit, they propagated the tree through budding and grafting to ensure its preservation and distribution.

The first two navel orange trees were brought to the United States in 1870 as a gift to Eliza Tibbets, a resident of Riverside, California. She and her husband nurtured these trees, and they flourished in the Southern California climate. The successful cultivation of the navel orange in California led to its rapid propagation and widespread distribution throughout the region.

The navel orange quickly gained popularity due to its excellent taste, lack of seeds, and easy-to-peel nature. Its popularity soared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it became a highly sought-after fruit both domestically and internationally.

Beyond California, the cultivation of navel oranges expanded to other suitable regions worldwide, including Spain, Italy, Australia, South Africa, and South America. Various navel orange varieties have been developed over time to cater to different climates and growing conditions, ensuring a steady supply of these delightful oranges year-round.

The navel orange's origin is a classic example of how chance mutations in nature can lead to the development of new and valuable plant varieties. Through human intervention, these desirable traits are preserved and distributed, leading to the widespread cultivation and enjoyment of navel oranges around the world.

Frozen Navel Orange Smoothie:

Ingredients:

    1 cup frozen navel orange segments (peeled and seedless)
    1 ripe banana
    1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
    1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
    1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    A handful of ice cubes (optional, for a thicker texture)

Instructions:

    Prepare the frozen navel oranges by peeling and removing any seeds. Slice the oranges into
    segments and place them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. Freeze the
    orange segments for a few hours or overnight until solid.

    In a blender, add the frozen navel orange segments, ripe banana, Greek yogurt, orange juice,
    honey, and vanilla extract.

    If you prefer a thicker smoothie, add a handful of ice cubes to the blender.

    Blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, you can add
    a bit more orange juice or water to reach your desired consistency.

    Taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness with more honey if needed.

    Pour the Frozen Navel Orange Smoothie into glasses and serve immediately.

This Frozen Navel Orange Smoothie is a refreshing and nutritious treat that's perfect for hot days
or as a quick and healthy breakfast option. You can also customize the recipe by adding other
fruits like berries, pineapple, or mango to enhance the flavor further. Enjoy!

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