It's all about navels.

Don't like what you see? Reload for a different page!

The history of navel oranges is quite fascinating and can be traced back to a chance mutation that occurred centuries ago. The navel orange is a type of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and is named for the small, undeveloped second fruit that protrudes from its blossom end, resembling a human navel. This "navel" is actually a tiny secondary fruit that doesn't contain seeds and cannot develop into a full fruit.

The origin of the navel orange can be traced back to Brazil in the early 19th century. It is believed that the first navel orange tree emerged as a spontaneous mutation from a seedling of the Selecta orange variety (a sweet orange cultivar). The specific date of the discovery is uncertain, but it is generally believed to have been around 1820.

The unique characteristic of seedlessness made the navel orange a highly sought-after and popular fruit. In 1870, a set of navel orange trees was sent from Brazil to the United States as a gift to Eliza Tibbets of Riverside, California. The climate in Southern California proved to be ideal for growing the navel oranges, and the trees thrived in this new environment.

Eliza Tibbets and her husband nurtured the trees, and their success led to the rapid propagation and distribution of navel orange trees throughout California. The commercial success of the navel orange industry in California began in the late 19th century and contributed significantly to the state's agricultural growth.

The navel orange's popularity also spread to other parts of the world, and it became one of the most cultivated orange varieties globally. Different regions with suitable climates began cultivating navel oranges, including parts of Europe, South America, South Africa, and Australia.

Over the years, through careful cultivation and breeding, various navel orange varieties have been developed, each with its own unique taste and characteristics. Today, navel oranges are widely enjoyed around the world and are a popular choice for fresh consumption due to their sweet, seedless, and easy-to-peel nature.

The success of the navel orange is a testament to the role of chance mutations in shaping agriculture and the way in which humans have selectively cultivated and distributed desirable plant varieties to suit different climates and tastes.

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!

• Dictionary.com - Find the real meaning
• Thesaurus - Another way to say it.
• Google - Search the Web some more
• Belly Button Screen Savers
• How to clean your Belly Button
• Belly Button Lint Brush
• How to peel an orange