Fresh Orange Juice Makes Breakfast Better

Most of us can agree that breakfast goes better with Orange Juice. In fact Orange Juice makes a great pick-me-up drink or even a replacement for a morning or afternoon snack.

At Sunburst Oranges we know that you can get your orange juice from many different sources.  You can buy it in the form of a frozen concentrate or a very convenient ready to pour bottles.

Let’s talk about the bottled variety first. Just because the liquid in the bottle is orange colored it doesn’t mean you are actually getting “real orange Juice.” Some bottles that contain real orange juice you don’t know what the actual concentration of orange juice versus water is.  Perhaps most important you don’t know what other chemicals or pesticides are included with the orange juice.

Yes, recent testing of bottled orange juice has shown that trace elements of pesticides have been found. Oranges from Brazil make it into some American made orange juice.  In Brazil it is legal to spray chemicals that are illegal to use here in the U.S.

Frozen concentrate OJ is also very popular.  It faces the same purity, concentrate ratio and pesticide problems that bottle orange juice faces. How carefully do you read (perhaps most important “understand”) the label.  Buzz words like “real” and “free” (as in, free of) don’t really mean what you think they do.

Have you ever experienced fresh squeezed orange juice? If you haven’t you have missed a real delight.

Yes, we will agree that making your own fresh squeezed orange juice takes a bit more work.  The taste difference is one you have to experience to appreciate.

At Sunburst Oranges we have taken some of the work out of it.  Yes, we have boxes of oranges that are perfect to use to make your very own Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice.

Here is the direct hyperlink; http://www.sunburstoranges.com/#!juice-oranges/c1f02

What happens with Industrially-produced orange juice, is after the oranges are squeezed, the juice is stored in giant holding tanks and the oxygen is removed from them.  This allows the liquid to keep for up to a year without spoiling.  This makes the juice completely flavorless. Then the industry uses “flavor packs” to re-flavor the juice.

Fresh squeezed orange juice can be a good source of vitamins and other nutrients.  Squeezing your own at home would be about the only way to get the real flavor and these nutrients.

Now you just have to add the “Squeeze” part… Next Tuesday May 6th 2014 we will have a “How To” on the best way to squeeze that juice.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends, a quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We have the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Health Benefits From Eating Oranges

We all want to lead healthy lives and eating an orange daily can be part of your optimal diet.  Here are just four of many benefits that will be part of adding whole oranges to your diet.

Lower Cholesterol
Sunburst Navel Oranges are a great source of soluble fiber. This is very helpful for lowering cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber attracts water in your intestines, forming a slow-moving gel. As this gel substance travels through your intestinal tract, it picks up some of the excess cholesterol compounds and pushes them out through fecal waste. Your cholesterol levels will go down over time, decreasing your risk of suffering from heart disease. You need 14 grams of total fiber for every 1,000 calories, explains the Colorado State University Extension website. Having an 1,800-calorie-per-day diet means that you need 16 grams of total fiber. A medium sized orange has approximately 3 grams of fiber, more than half of which is soluble fiber.

Good Vision
Oranges are rich in vitamin A, which includes a group of compounds that protect your eyes. Vitamin C has many benefits for eye health. It promotes healthy ocular blood vessels, and can reduce the risk of nuclear cataracts (clouding in the center of your lens that can make you see multiple images) and macular degeneration according to the American Optometric Association.

Getting 500 mg/day of vitamin C can slow the "the progression of advanced age-related macular degeneration by about 25 percent and visual acuity loss by 19 percent in individuals at high-risk for the disease," according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. Drinking around five cups of orange juice offers up a full day's supply of vitamin C; Orange Juice is one of the highest sources of vitamin C, according to the USDA.

Optimal Heart Function
Oranges provide potassium, an electrolyte mineral responsible for normal heart function. Potassium works with other electrolytes, including calcium, magnesium and sodium, to carefully maintain fluid levels both in and around cells. Steady fluid balance allows electricity to conduct through your system, making your heart beat. When potassium levels get too low, you may develop an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia. You need 4,700 milligrams of daily potassium, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. A medium, 2 1/2-inch orange offers nearly 240 milligrams of potassium.

Lower Overall Risk of Disease
Oranges, and other citrus fruits, are rich source of vitamin C. One of the roles of vitamin C is to protect cells by neutralizing free radicals. When free radicals build up in your body, they cling to healthy cells, causing permanent damage. Free radicals cause chronic diseases, like cancer and heart disease. Getting adequate amount of daily vitamin C reduces your risk of developing these chronic conditions. Women require 75 milligrams of daily vitamin C, while men need 90 milligrams, notes the Office of Dietary Supplements. You'll get more than 50 milligrams from one medium sized orange.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Spicy and Sweet Citrus Tilapia Recipe

This recipe allows me to combine two things abundant in California, fresh fish and orange juice. The orange juice gives the fish a wonderful, tangy flavor.

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
Cooking spray
1/2 cup fresh Sunburst orange juice (about 1 orange)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons lower-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon paprika 

Directions

1. Arrange fish in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Combine orange juice and next 9 ingredients (through garlic); pour over fish. Let stand for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat broiler.

3. Sprinkle fish with paprika; broil 15 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Drizzle sauce over fish.

Are you looking for the perfect wholesome and gift to use as gifts for a business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Are You An Orange Juice Connoisseur?

For Orange Juice Connoisseurs nothing is more appealing than a glass of freshly squeezed Orange Juice.  Sadly, the true aficionado knows finding a company who still produces a genuinely ‘fresh’ orange juice has become nigh to impossible. The dairy case of any market is filled with many choices and many claims but “freshly-squeezed” is no longer as easily found..

A Short History:

The Farmers’ Dilemma

During the first decade of the 20th century and in the early years of the California citrus industry an enigma occurred- more oranges were being grown than could be sold. In addition, no real organization of the growers and the rapidly expanding citrus groves had yet been put into place. Consequently, in a land where orange was the ‘new gold’, citrus farmers were losing money and pulling out trees.

Advertising to the Rescue

In 1908, the recently re-named citrus growers’ co-op, Sunkist Growers, retained the services of the Chicago based and well-renowned adverting agency of Lord & Thomas. Albert Lasker, 28 years old at this time and now credited as a founder of the modern-day ad industry, created campaigns for oranges that encouraged consumers to both eat oranges, and also to drink orange juice. His campaign efforts were enough to lift the citrus industry from its slump and help create our taste-bud’s desire for that fresh-squeezed taste.  

New Discoveries & New Trends

Orange juice was quick to become its own industry in both California and Florida. But to preserve the juice to store and ship was the question of the technology of the day. Professor Thomas B. Mack of the University of Florida an avid collector of citrus information noted in his work

Citrus Facts II

A little known story is told that states that the first citrus concentrate was made in an ice cream freezer early in 1920 by Dr. J. E. Crump. Dr. Crump was a practicing veterinarian and citrus grower living in Winter Haven [Florida] at the time. Many other early attempts to produce citrus concentrate were made, but none proved successful until 1947 when Dr. L. W. McDowell and his staff, working for the Florida Citrus Commission, developed the product as we know it today.

Concentrates and NFC takes cares of the masses, but what about the true freshly-squeezed devotee?

The 1980’s & 90’s

The fresh squeezed orange juice business saw it’s heyday during this period. To keep freshly-squeezed juice viable for commercial sales processors implemented specialized handling and cleaning of the fruit, strict and regimented sanitation procedures, packaging innovation and proprietary inventory management programs. Companies, such as Odwalla and Naked Juice, could process fresh orange juice and became quite successful not only with the fresh juice but with the introduction of the ‘smoothie’, a drink with a mostly OJ base.

 Fresh Orange Juice Today

The fresh squeezed industry has changed with changing consumer requirements for guaranteed protection from food and beverage manufactures. In other words, the risks and worries to service the OJC’s of our time is not worth the potential loss or losses. OJC’s you are on your own! But SUNBURST ORANGES is here to give all the support and the all the oranges you need to satisfy the desire for the true freshly-squeezed taste of orange juice.

For over 30 years we have been a part of the fresh-squeezed orange juice industry. Sunburst Oranges offers its services and knowledge to provide the OJC (Orange Juice Connoisseur) the best orange available, at any given time of the year, to make the finest, premium, freshly-squeezed juice possible.

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:

Sunburst Oranges

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-561-3391

Honey For Your Life

Sunburst Oranges is proud to bring you this fine orange blossom honey from the heart of the California citrus belt. Enjoy the delicate nuances of orange in all your favorite recipes. Savor the essence of sweet citrus while relaxing with your favorite morning tea.

A perfect compliment to our favorite tea or lemonade – it's light and fragrant characteristics are sure to please the palate. 16 oz. glass jar made in the USA. $8.00

Most people have used honey to sweeten foods and beverages, but few realize that it’s a powerful food, beauty aide and a topical antibiotic. Honey naturally contains 18 amino acids, plus small amounts of a many vitamins and minerals. The old wives’ tales we hear are actually often based in truth, as honey has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Not only can honey soothe and lubricate a sore throat, but because of its nutrient-rich profile, it has been used internally and externally for a variety of other benefits.

Please see our Honey page: www.sunburstoranges.com/#!local-honey/cp92

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391 

Valencia Oranges For Juicing

The Valencia orange is a sweet orange. It was first hybridized by pioneer American agronomist and land developer William Wolfskill in the mid-19th century on his farm in Santa Ana in southern California in the United States.

William Wolfskill, an American who became a Mexican citizen in the 1820s while working in Santa Fe, New Mexico as a fur trapper, migrated to California. He was given a land grant as a naturalized Mexican citizen under Mexican government rules. An American born in Kentucky and reared in Missouri, he cultivated numerous vineyards and grape varietals, and was the largest wine producer in the region. He continued to buy land, and later had sheep ranches, as well as developing extensive citrus orchards.

He hybridized the Valencia orange, a sweet orange and named it for Valencia, Spain, which had a reputation for its sweet orange trees. These had originally been imported from India.

Before his death in 1866, Wolfskill sold his patented Valencia hybrid to the Irvine Ranch owners, who planted nearly half their lands to its cultivation. The success of this crop in Southern California led to the naming of Valencia, California. It became the most popular juice orange in the United States.

Major improvements to the Valencia orange came in the mid 20th century when Florida botanist Lena B. Smithers Hughes developed virus-free strains for budwood production. These were so successful that by 1983, the Hughes Valencia bud line made up some 60 percent of all Valencia oranges propagated for cultivation in Florida.

Primarily grown for processing and orange juice production, Valencia oranges have seeds, varying in number from zero to nine per fruit. Its excellent taste and internal color make it desirable for the fresh fruit markets, too. The fruit has an average diameter of 2.7 to 3 inches ), also a piece of this fruit which weighs 96 grams has 45 calories and 9 grams of sugar. After bloom, it usually carries two crops on the tree, the old and the new. The commercial harvest season in Florida runs from March to June. Worldwide, Valencia oranges are prized as the only variety of orange in season during summer. Furthermore, Valencia oranges bring benefits because of the vitamin C and flavonoids contained.

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Orange Dreamsicle Jello Squares

Looking for a cool summer treat, this is one you have got to try and perfect for a large family dinner or picnic!

Ingredients

    6 Envelopes Knox Gelatin
    1 Cup Cold Water
    ½ Cup Boiling water with ¼ Cup Sugar
    ½ Cup Boiling Water
    2 ½ Cups Orange Soda
    2 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream, melted

Directions

Orange Cubes
Dissolve 3 envelopes of gelatin in ½ Cup cold water stir and let set 1 minute.
Pour the ½ Cup Boiling water with ¼ cup sugar dissolved in it over gelatin and stir at least 2 minutes ensuring it is completely dissolved.

Pour in Orange Soda, stir to combine and add to 13×9 inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Cream Filler
At about the 3 ½ hour mark start the Cream portion.

Dissolve 3 envelopes of gelatin in ½ Cup cold water stir and let set 1 minute. Pour ½ Cup Boiling water over the gelatin and stir at least 2 minutes ensuring it is completely dissolved.

Add the completely melted Ice Cream Stir to combine. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.

Remove the orange gelatin and cut into ¼ x ½ inch rectangles and put in sprayed 8×8 inch pan spreading them out randomly.

Pour the Ice Cream mixture over the orange and refrigerate at least another 4 hours.
Cut into squares and serve.

Keep in airtight container in the refrigerator.

If you are looking for the perfect citrus for yourself or as a gift for a business associates, your family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391