Dried Orange

History

Originally from China and South-East Asia, this typically winter fruit is believed to have been imported to Europe by Portuguese sailors in the 14th century. However, some Ancient Roman texts from the 1st century CE already mention them; they were grown in Sicily, where they were called sweet oranges, which might mean that the fruit reached Europe by land. Both theories could be correct. The orange probably came to Europe via the Silk Road, but cultivation took place only in the warmer climates of Sicily, where its further spread was arrested. It was only after many centuries that it was rediscovered by Portuguese sailors. 

In some countries’ 19th-century literature, the orange was sometimes called the 'portugal'. Today, in Arabic, the word used to refer to oranges is 'burtuqāl', which has completely supplanted the Persian word 'naranğ' - literally 'the favourite (fruit) of elephants’ – from which derives the Italian word ‘arancia’. 

As oranges are a fruit with a high vitamin C content and do not spoil easily, Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch sailors planted citrus trees along the trade routes during their journeys of exploration to prevent scurvy. 

In Rome, in the cloister of the convent of Santa Sabina at the Aventine, there is a Sweet Orange plant that, according to Dominican tradition, was brought and planted there by St. Dominic in 1220. The legend does not specify whether the saint brought the plant from Portugal or from Sicily, where it had arrived after the Arab-Berber conquer. 

In 1987 the orange tree was the most grown fruit tree in the world. In 2013, 71.4 million tonnes of oranges were grown globally, with the peak of production in Brazil, Florida and California. 

According to the USDA nutritional database, fresh orange pulp is an excellent source of vitamin C, providing 64% of the Nutrient Reference Value (per 100g). 

A study was published in 2015 to evaluate the effects of orange juice consumption on the antioxidant defence system, on oxidative stress biomarkers and clinical signs of metabolic syndrome in 100 overweight or obese non-smoking volunteers. The results show that the intake of orange juice (light or red) protects from DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. It also reduces the body weight of overweight or obese adults¹. 

Vitamin C contributes to maintaining the immune system in proper functioning order during and after intense physical effort and reducing fatigue. It increases the absorption of iron, contributes to good mental function, and the healthy functioning of the nervous system2. 

Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system, normal muscle function and maintenance of normal blood pressure². 

Thiamine contributes to normal energy metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system and contributes to normal psychological and cardiac function². 

¹ Rangel-Huerta OD, Aguilera CM, Martin MV, Soto MJ, Rico MC, Vallejo F, Tomas-Barberan F, Perez-de-la-Cruz, AJ, Gil A, Mesa MD (2015). Normal or High Polyphenol Concentration in Orange Juice Affects Antioxidant Activity, Blood Pressure, and Body Weight in Obese or Overweight Adults. J Nutr. 2015 Aug; 145(8):1808-16 

² Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development and health Text with EEA relevance 

Source: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_(fruit) 

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus_%C3%97_sinensis 

Properties

According to our analyses, 100 g dried orange contain:

• Vitamin B6 (0.23 mg - 16% of NRV)
• Magnesium (69.6 mg - 19% of NRV)
• Copper (0.19 mg - 19% of NRV)
• Phosphorus (142 mg - 20% of NRV)
• Potassium (1665 mg - 83% of NRV)
• Thiamine (0.19 mg - 17% of NRV)
• Vitamin C (210 mg - 263% of NRV)
• Fibre (6.5 g)

Dose recommendations

Each package of 500 g of dried orange contains about 17 portions of 30 g that provide: 

• 79% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Vitamin C; 
• 23% of the Nutrient Reference Value of Potassium. 

Individual needs will vary according to age, gender, weight and physical activity. A varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are the basis of your well-being. 

Affordable price

Affordable price means to us offering our clients dried orange with no added sugar - containing only natural sugar - that everybody can enjoy. 
We want, on the one hand, to place the proper value on raw materials in order to obtain a quality product by paying our farmers a fair price; on the other hand, we want to fulfil your needs when it comes to pricing. 

We establish fair long-term relationships with our producers to avoid race-to-the-bottom pricing and that are based on trust as part of our efforts to offer you the finest and most natural product. 

Not only that: by choosing large packs of dried orange, you also are also contributing to the reduction in the use of plastic. 

Storage

You can store dried orange in cool, dry places away from sources of heat and moisture. Here are 4 useful tips: 

• The best way to store dried orange is in a refrigerated environment. Nuturally dried orange with no added sugar – containing only natural sugar - can also be stored at room temperature during the winter season given the low temperatures. During summer, however, it is advisable to store the product in the refrigerator or in the coolest possible environment, as increased temperatures could encourage decay. 
• The ideal container for the storage of dried orange is glass. Indeed, because of its composition it is impervious to chemical agents and gases, and, as it has excellent insulation properties, it holds the initial temperature for longer than other materials. Ii is even better if the glass is coloured: using coloured glass blocks the entry of certain wavelengths of light (including ultraviolet), and thus certain nutritional and organoleptic characteristics remain unaltered.  
• The type of closure of the container is also important as an airtight cap ensures that the food is protected from excessive contact with oxygen, that is fundamental for aerobic bacteria. 
• The best kind of storage environment is one which is well ventilated because ventilating the premises keeps internal humidity under control, which otherwise could escape from windows, thereby guaranteeing the right balance to lessen the onset of mould.