Sunburst Oranges and Your Orange Trees At Home

If you live in the correct location in the United States you can grow our very favorite fruit… Oranges.  But, even in the right location there is more to a healthy orange tree than just adding water.

Orange trees are native to China and India, oranges have been cultivated in the United States since the early 1700s. Valued for their fragrant white flowers in the spring and nutritious fruit in late fall and winter, orange trees are suitable for USDA zones 9 through 11. With proper care, the tree grows to be approximately 20 to 30 feet tall and has a naturally well-rounded shape. 

Orange trees need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.

Water: Newly planted trees benefit from the addition of a watering basin around the tree. A ridge of soil creates a berm to hold water and allow it to soak into the soil immediately surrounding the tree. Newly planted trees need to be watered once or twice a week to keep the soil moist but never wet. Wet, soggy soils and standing water can kill the tree. Established trees need water every week or two, depending on the weather and soil type. Hot weather and sandy soils require frequent watering. 

Fertilizers: Oranges need light fertilizing with a high nitrogen fertilizer during the first year. The University of California Cooperative Extension recommends applying 1 tablespoon of ammonium sulfate monthly during the spring and summer. Older trees need 1/2 cup of ammonium sulfate per application for every year of tree age, up to a maximum of 4 cups. You will need four applications, spread four to six weeks apart, are needed. Commercial citrus formula fertilizer can also be used according to label directions.

Sun Protection: Young trees are susceptible to sun damage until the foliage grows in enough to protect the trunk. A thin coating of whitewash or interior latex paint thinned with an equal quantity of water will help protect the tree from sun damage. Commercial tree wraps are also available.

Pruning: Citrus trees need pruning only to remove dead branches and limbs that cross or touch the ground. Removing interior branches allows light to penetrate the tree and promotes better air circulation. Sucker branches need to be removed, especially those arising from the roots or below the tree graft. Pruning can be done at any time, but pruning after fruit harvest prevents crop reductions.

Cold Protection: Sustained temperatures below freezing damage the trees, flowers and fruit quickly; but mature orange trees are cold hardy to high 20s (Fahrenheit). During periods of sustained freezing weather, trees can be protected by covering them with a tarp or blankets. The addition of a few strings of outdoor lights adds warmth under nonflammable tarps or plastic coverings. The covers should be peeled back or removed immediately once the weather warms.

If want your oranges with a lot less work or you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift 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

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July from your Friends at Sunburst Oranges

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift 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

Sunburst Oranges and Storage For Your Citrus

As you all know we are all about enjoying fresh citrus products like oranges and lemons. After all we want you to buy and use these wonderful and healthy fruits.

But how about storing them so they stay fresh and healthy for the longest time.

The shelf life of oranges, like most other fresh fruit or fresh vegetables is variable because most have no sell by date, use by date, or best before date. Since there is no printed date and it's difficult to tell how long the fruit has been on the grocery shelf prior to purchase, the only date you can go by is the purchased date or date picked (if you are lucky enough to pick your own fresh fruit). There are two main varieties of oranges; Navel which are best for eating, and Valencia which are best for juice. Because of their relatively low cost, long Shelf Life, easy portability and extremely high concentration of antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber oranges are one of the most popular fruits around. So, how long do oranges last?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent food borne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your oranges have gone bad beyond the shelf life. Some common traits of bad oranges are a soft texture and some discoloration. The soft spot is moist and develops a mold, usually white in color at first. Bad oranges, just like bad orange juice and other fruit juices, will have a distinct sour smell and taste.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods, so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

You can help oranges stay fresh longer by storing them in your refrigerator drawer. Once oranges are prepared, they should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

As the experts point out, oranges don’t ripen any further once they’ve been picked and the refrigerator is the best place for maximizing their storage.

At room temperature, oranges usually keep for up to one week, in your fridge, they'll generally stay fresh for up to three weeks.

Once you've peeled or cut into an orange you should refrigerate any leftovers right away. Wrap the cut fruit tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and use them within three to four days.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift 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

Sunburst Oranges Presents: Fun Facts About Oranges

This is another chapter in “Did You Know?” about oranges.  Did you know these fun facts about our favorite citrus fruit?

What are some of the things that affects the taste of oranges?
Oranges that are grown in different seasons and locations also vary in taste and smell. Even the position of the fruit in the tree affects the taste, as oranges that grow in the south side of the orange tree are generally sweeter than those that grow on the side facing north.

Do all oranges have the same number of segments?
A typical orange contains ten segments. But some varieties have just eight segments. There are always an equal number.

The number of sections (formally, Gynoecium or carpels) citrus fruits have is determined by the number of ovules the particular flower and fruit has. While ten is 'standard' for oranges, they can have fewer or more. Navel oranges, for example, will have twice the number -- more or less.

Are ripe oranges always orange in color?
A ripe orange that is not plucked from the tree can revert to a green color in a process called re-greening. This color transformation, however, will not affect the fruit’s taste.

Why are Navel Oranges called navel oranges?
The navel orange, a popular orange variety, is so named because of the peculiar appendage found on the blossoming end of the fruit, which is shaped like a navel. The bigger the navel usually means a sweeter fruit.

Are Mandarin Oranges really Oranges?
The mandarin (Citrus reticulata), also known as the mandarine, is a small citrus tree with fruit resembling other oranges. According to molecular studies, the mandarin, the citron, the pomelo, and the papeda were the ancestors of all other citrus species and their varieties, through breeding or natural hybridization; mandarins are therefore all the more important as the only sweet fruit among the parental species.

Did Oranges help colonize the new world?
Because oranges do not spoil easily and are full of vitamin C during the years of world exploration sailors planted orange and other citrus trees along trade routes to prevent scurvy which is a disease that develops from a deficiency of vitamin C.

It is believed that Christopher Columbus was the first to bring orange seeds to America during his second voyage to the region in 1493.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift 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

Sunburst Oranges: Fourth of July Recipe

As we get ready to celebrate our nation’s birthday our thoughts may be turning to what we are eating this weekend.  If you are like most of us we planning a barbeque and that just may include ribs.  We think that nothing is better than an orange infused recipe for this barbeque chicken classic. Sweet and tangy is the way to go.

Ingredients

1/2 cup freshly squeezed Sunburst Orange juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 (4 pound chicken) cut into 10 pieces

Glaze:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup Sunburst Oranges honey
1/4 cup freshly squeezed Sunburst Orange Juice
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Directions

Mix the orange juice, olive oil, hot sauce, mustard, and orange zest together in a large bowl. Add the chicken (pat dry with paper towel) and toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight in the refrigerator.

Prepare the grill to medium direct heat. Let chicken come to room temperature before grilling.

Drain the chicken from the marinade and pat dry. Grill on each side for 5 minutes, then turn the heat to medium-low and cover the lid of the grill. Continue cooking the chicken until it's cooked through, about 25 minutes more.

While the chicken is grilling, melt the butter in a small saucepan on the grill. Whisk in the honey, orange juice, BBQ sauce, zest, mustard and allspice. Reserve some of the glaze in a small ramekin for serving.

Brush the chicken pieces with glaze, then flip the chicken, glaze side down, and cook for 2 minutes. Brush second side of the chicken with glaze and flip again. Continue cooking for 3 more minutes. Remove the chicken from grill to a platter and serve with reserved glaze. 

Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Preparation: 20 minutes
Inactive: 1 hour
Cooking: 35 minutes

Makes 4 servings - Skill Level: Easy

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift 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

Sunburst Oranges Says: Turn Waste Into Donations

I read the other day that 40% percent of the food in the Unites States goes to waste.  Many of us who grow fruits and vegetables on our property are faced with the dilemma once a year of way too much bounty. We have too many ripe oranges, lemons, tomatoes, carrots or whatever.  We eat them, we can them, we give them to friends, family and coworkers and still we have too many.

What can we do? Well we can donate our surplus to a local food bank.

Did you know that your excess produce from your garden can be donated to a local food pantry. More than 40 million gardeners across America grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and nuts in backyard, terrace, kitchen and community gardens. Some even have orchards or small farms. Many end up growing more than they can use, preserve or give to friends.

At the same time, tens of millions of Americans struggling to feed their families can't get fresh produce from the local food pantry.

It doesn't have to be this way.

If you are growing more food than you can use, AmpleHarvest.org can help you find a local food pantry eager to accept it.

Sunburst Oranges says please join the millions of gardeners across the country using AmpleHarvest.org to share their bounty with their neighbors in need.

An estimated 100 billion pounds of food (including oranges), enough to totally eliminate hunger, is thrown away annually in the United States.

AmpleHarvest.org envisions an America where millions of gardeners eliminate malnutrition and hunger in their own community using only their backyard gardens.

AmpleHarvest.org, the national campaign to educate, encourage and enable home and community gardeners to donate their excess garden produce to a nearby food pantry, announces that it is now being included in the US Government employee’s nationwide food drive called “Feds Feed Families”.

Created in 2009 and managed by the USDA, Feds Feed Families is an annual campaign collecting store bought food from federal employees to benefit food banks across the country along food gleaned from local farms. Like nearly every other food drive, it has largely received processed food in jars, cans and boxes, along with some produce from a few larger growers.

Thanks to this new partnership, government employees, regardless of the size of their garden, will now also be able to donate fresh food to a local food pantry going forward.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift 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

Lemons Make Black Tea Even Better

Adding Lemon juice can make tea healthier and tastier to drink. Black tea is a calorie-free beverage that contains caffeine and can help lower the risk of stroke and heart disease. These benefits may come from tea's theaflavin antioxidants, which can also help reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C -- 1 cup of lemon juice provides more than the daily recommended dose. The ascorbic acid in vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals, which can cause heart disease and diabetes. Lemons are also a good source of minerals and vitamins, including folate, potassium, magnesium and thiamine. Adding it to black tea doesn’t inhibit its nutritional effects, which makes the combination ideal for consumption.

Of course we don’t expect you to add a cup of lemon juice to your cup of tea. But, adding enough lemon juice to suit your taste is a good idea.

Add Lemon, Not Milk

Common additions to tea such as milk can block the potential health benefits of its antioxidants. A recent German study, published in a 2007 issue of the "European Heart Journal," determined that the caseins found in milk reduced the effects of the antioxidants in the tea. Milk binds with the antioxidants found in black tea, which prevents them from being absorbed, explains MedlinePlus. However, not all studies confirm milk inhibits black tea's antioxidants, and more research will be required. Lemon makes milk curdle, which helps you avoid adding milk to your tea. Without milk, lemon seems to maximize the health benefits of drinking black tea.

Lower Calories

Adding sugar or whipped cream turns calorie-free black tea into a high-calorie beverage. Lemon's naturally occurring sugars make it a suitable replacement to artificial sweeteners without the high increase in calories. Lemon also improves the taste due to its natural sugar content and citrus flavor. Replacing sugar and other fattening foods with lemons helps you reduce your calorie intake.

Now it just so happens that you can find both fresh lemons and excellent black teas on the Sunburst Oranges website. So stop by and get some very healthy products.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift 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