It's all about navels.

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

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 Glazed Chicken:

Ingredients:

    4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    2 navel oranges
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1/4 cup honey
    2 tablespoons soy sauce
    1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
    Salt and pepper to taste
    Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

    Start by preparing the marinade. Zest both navel oranges and set aside the zest.
    Squeeze the juice from the oranges into a bowl.

    In a separate bowl, combine the orange juice, olive oil, minced garlic, honey, soy sauce,
    grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Whisk well to combine.

    Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them,
    reserving a small amount for basting. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Marinate in the
    refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor.

    Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Make sure the grates are clean and
    lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

    Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Grill the chicken
    until done.

• 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