Guyana’s Green Skinned Oranges Are Healthy For You!

Refreshed. That is basically how everyone feels after consuming an orange. Whether they slice it and eat or they squeeze and drink its fresh juice – it gives you the same feeling – it makes you feel refreshed.  Further, you are energized and ready to take on the day after having an orange in the morning. It leaves a citrus, sweet-tart flavor in your mouth; the juice is rich and delicious. Definitely, after experiencing the burst of flavors from an orange, you won’t be able to resist the urge of going for seconds.

Oranges Grown In Guyana

Oranges are grown along the entire Atlantic coast of Guyana. The vast majority of oranges produced in the country are seeded Valencia, Pineapple, Parson Brown and Hamlin types, used for both fresh market and juice. Only a limited amount of seedless navel oranges are grown.

Harvesting Oranges: Oranges should be harvested using a pair of clippers or by carefully twisting and pulling the fruit from the tree so the button (calyx and disk) remains attached to the fruit. Stems left on the fruit at picking should be removed because they can puncture other fruit, causing post-harvest decay and fruit spoilage.

Tip: Never shake the tree to harvest the fruit. Any fruit which falls to the ground is likely to be severely bruised and subject to postharvest decay.

If you would like to learn about postharvest care for oranges, read this 2003 publication by the Ministry of Agriculture (Guyana) : http://agriculture.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Oranges.pdf

The Orange’s Green Skin

Orange fruit produced in Guyana is often mature and of acceptable eating quality when the rind is still green. High temperatures and humidity result in internal fruit maturation, but the coloration of fruit peel usually is not fully developed. Many consumers, especially in export markets, associate external skin color with internal flavor and believe oranges with a green-colored peel is immature and not ready to eat. In order to improve external skin color and market acceptance, oranges can be treated with ethylene, which is an effective de-greening agent. Ethylene treatment breaks down the green chlorophyll pigment in the peel surface and allows the yellow or orange carotenoid pigments to be expressed. This treatment is solely cosmetic in effect and does not alter the flavor of the fruit. However, Guyanese enjoy eating this lovely fruit despite its color, its tastes the same fresh way, the green color makes it no less delicious. It is just unique!

Ten Health Benefits Of Oranges

1. High in Vitamin C – Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C. One orange offers 116.2 percent of the daily value for vitamin C.
2. Lowers the risk of cancer – Oranges contain D- limonene, a compound that is touted to prevent cancers like lung, skin and even breast cancer.
3. Controls blood sugar level – Fibre in oranges help by keeping blood sugar levels under control thereby making oranges a healthy snack for people with diabetes.
4. Healthy immune system – Vitamin C, which is also vital for the proper function of a healthy immune system, is good for preventing colds and preventing recurrent ear infections.
5. Alkalizes the body – While the basic nature of oranges is acidic before you actually digest them, they have a lot of alkaline minerals that play a role in the process of digestion.
6. Good eye health – Oranges are a rich source of carotenoid. The Vitamin A present in them play an important role in keeping the mucus membranes in the eyes healthy.
7. Prevents skin damage – Anti-oxidants in oranges help protect skin from free radical damage known to cause signs of aging.
8. Safeguards against constipation – Oranges have both soluble and insoluble fibre. This helps in keeping your intestines and stomach function smooth, preventing irritable bowel syndrome.
9. Keeps blood pressure under check – Oranges, being rich in Vitamins B6, help support the production of hemoglobin and also help keep blood pressure under check due to the presence of magnesium.
10. Lowers cholesterol – According to a study by US and Canadian researchers, a class of compounds found in citrus fruit peels called Polymethoxylated Flavones (PMFs) have the potential to lower cholesterol more effectively than some prescription drugs without side effects.

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

Ingredients:

Using a hand juicer (Total time: 25 minutes)

• 8-10 whole oranges
• 3-5 ice cubes
• pinch salt

Using a blender (Total time: 15 minutes)

• 8-10 whole oranges
• 1 cup water
• pinch salt

Method:

Hand juicer:

1. To prepare orange juice, first, roll each orange on the table using your palms, then tightly squeeze it using both hands until it becomes soft.
2. Cut the orange into two halves and remove the seeds, if any.
3. Put one half of an orange on the hand juicer and squeeze it until all the juice is out.
4. Repeat the above step until the juice from all the oranges is squeezed.
5. You may strain the collected juice using a strainer or skip the straining and add some pulp from the orange to it.
6. Pour it in a glass filled with ice cubes, add a pinch of salt, stir well, and enjoy your tangy drink!

Blender:

1. Peel the oranges and cut them into small pieces of about an inch each. Remove all the seeds, if any.
2. Put all the orange pieces into the blender and blend until pureed.
3. Add a cup of water and blend it again to remove all the juice completely.
4. Strain the juice using a strainer and add a pinch of salt to it.
5. Refrigerate or pour over ice cubes and serve chilled.

Note: If you taste the juice and find it to be bitter, feel free to add any sweetener to adjust the taste.

Oranges In Guyana

Oranges are grown bountifully in Guyana; you will find trees in the backyard of many. You will also find oranges in Bourda or Stabroek Market as well as in the supermarkets. Remember to carefully pick the oranges and never shake the tree to make them fall to the ground since the fruit can become severely bruised. Also, don’t be deceived by the green colored oranges, they are healthy and ready to eat even though the skin has not turned orange, be assured that the inside is fully matured. These oranges have many health benefits so be sure to make some delicious orange juice for yourself and the entire family. Yes, Guyana’s green skinned orange is healthy for you!

Article References:

• https://www.ecofog.gf/giec/doc_num.php?explnum_id=983
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/why-you-should-eat-oranges/articleshow/4662391.cms
• https://www.organicfacts.net/recipe/orange-juice