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 Brazil in the early 19th century. The story goes like this:

Around 1820, in a monastery garden near the city of Bahia in Brazil, there was a sweet orange tree of the Selecta variety. One day, the gardeners noticed a peculiar and unusual growth at the blossom end of one of the oranges on this tree. This growth resembled a human navel, hence the name "navel orange."

Upon further examination, they discovered that this navel-like growth was actually a small, undeveloped secondary fruit embedded within the larger orange. Unlike regular sweet oranges that contain seeds, the "navel" fruit was seedless and unable to develop into a mature fruit. It was a unique and intriguing mutation.

Recognizing the significance of this mutation, the gardeners propagated the tree through budding and grafting, ensuring that the desirable traits of seedlessness and sweetness would be passed on to new trees. This marked the beginning of the navel orange variety.

Word of the new seedless orange spread, and in 1870, a set of navel orange trees was sent to the United States as a gift to Eliza Tibbets and her husband, who lived in Riverside, California. The Tibbets family carefully nurtured these trees, and they flourished in the Southern California climate. The success of the navel orange in California paved the way for its commercial cultivation and distribution.

It's important to note that the navel orange is a type of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). The name "navel orange" refers specifically to the unique formation at the blossom end of the fruit. This feature is the result of a genetic mutation, which causes the orange to have a small secondary fruit embedded within it, which is seedless and sterile.

Today, the navel orange is one of the most popular and widely cultivated orange varieties globally. It has become a staple in many regions with suitable climates for orange production. Different navel orange varieties have been developed over time, each with its own distinct flavor and characteristics. The navel orange's history exemplifies the significant role that chance mutations can play in shaping agriculture and influencing the global distribution of desirable plant varieties.

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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