It's all about navels.

Don't like what you see? Come back later, it will be different!

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.

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