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.

Navel Orange Salad:

Ingredients:

    4 navel oranges
    1 small red onion, thinly sliced
    1 cup mixed salad greens
    1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
    1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
    Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

For the dressing:

    2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
    1 tablespoon honey
    1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

    Start by preparing the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice,
    honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set aside.

    Peel the navel oranges, removing the outer skin and white pith. Slice the oranges into thin
    rounds or segment them into small pieces. Place the orange slices in a large salad bowl.

    Add the thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the orange slices.

    Pour the dressing over the oranges and onions. Gently toss to coat them well. Let the flavors
    marinate for about 10 minutes.

    Just before serving, add the mixed salad greens to the bowl and toss gently to combine.

    Sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds and crumbled feta cheese (if using) over the salad.

    Garnish with fresh mint leaves for an extra burst of flavor.

    Serve the Navel Orange Salad immediately as a refreshing appetizer or as a side dish to complement
    your main course.

Enjoy the bright and citrusy flavors of this delicious Navel Orange Salad!

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