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Yes, you can freeze oranges. Several different methods work, depending on how you will use the oranges later on. Oranges can be frozen peeled, unpeeled, sliced, or whole. Place the oranges in a freezer-safe bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze. The oranges will stay fresh for 6 months to 1 year.
Oranges are probably one of the most popular fruits around. They are also one of the most accessible types of fruit. Almost everyone has had an orange, and most of us simply adore them!
Oranges are such a popular type of fruit, and there are endless ways to use oranges in making different food and drinks. It only makes sense to stock up and save yourself a trip to the grocery store.
Inevitably the question will arise: how do I keep my oranges nice and fresh until I am ready to use them?
It might seem that freezing oranges would be super simple, but the truth is that it isn’t as simple as just throwing the oranges into the freezer.
As with freezing other types of fruit, there are some procedures and steps you need to follow closely to ensure optimal results when freezing oranges.
Luckily, the guide below provides you with the step-by-step process that you need to know to successfully freeze oranges.
Many people might think that oranges are readily available for the whole year, but this is not the case. Oranges have a peak season just like any other fruit.
They are harvested primarily in the winter, with the season starting in October and not ending until the middle of June.
It is also worth noting that there is a myriad of orange fruit varieties available. They vary in size, shape, and flesh color. Some varieties have a distinctive red color, others are more orange in color.
There is another factor at play- the maturity of the fruit. This can also affect the taste and longevity of the oranges.
Freezing oranges can be done quite easily and it is the most efficient way to ensure that they stay fresh. Frozen oranges can last 6 months to 1 year.
There are several options when it comes to freezing oranges. You can freeze them whole or you can slice them beforehand. You also have the option of peeling the oranges or leaving the peel on.
To make sure that you have all of the information that you need, we have decided to give you a step-by-step guide on several different methods for freezing oranges.
Whichever method you choose, you will know exactly what you need to do.
Freezing whole oranges is great if your primary use for them is to extract fresh juice later on. Freezing oranges will hurt the fruit’s texture, so it will make the extraction process easier later on.
If you are a regular smoothie or juice drinker, freezing whole oranges is a great method for you.
To Freeze Your Oranges Whole, Follow The Steps Below:
Whole oranges will stay good in the freezer for up to six months.
There is another method that involves leaving the peel on. This method takes a bit more work and dexterity than the previous one.
These unpeeled orange slices will work great as a garnish for drinks and cocktails. If you are a regular drinker or if you are hosting a cocktail party, then this is the method you will want to know by heart.
Here is the method for freezing orange slices with the peel on:
When frozen in this way, the oranges will last for 10 to 12 months.
This next method is perfect if you want oranges that are ready to be a quick snack. It eliminates the tedious process of peeling and cutting as you enjoy the orange – everything has been done ahead of time.
This method also helps the oranges retain much of the orange’s original flavor and texture.
Here Is The Process For Freezing Peeled And Cut Oranges:
Oranges that have been frozen using this method will stay good in the freezer for 10 to 12 months.
This method is useful if you want to keep the peel intact. After all, there are many instances where you may need to use some of the orange peel.
The procedure for freezing oranges with the peel is as follows:
There you have it, our comprehensive guide to freezing oranges. All you need to do is decide on the method that will work best for you, depending on what you will use the oranges for.
Just follow the steps we’ve presented here!
You might be surprised to know that there are several different ways to preserve oranges, other than freezing them.
Presented below are some other preservation techniques available to you aside from freezing. These include storing oranges in the fridge, dehydration, and canning.
Since you have already learned the ins and outs of freezing oranges, we will now take a look at refrigeration. After all, we want to make sure that you know all the options available.
In terms of longevity, temperature plays a major role in extending the shelf life of oranges. This is true for all kinds of fruits and most kinds of food.
If you leave your oranges out at room temperature, perhaps in a fruit basket, they will only stay fresh for about one week.
If you keep your oranges longer than one week then you will start to notice changes in their appearance.
Namely, it will start to shrivel. Changes will also occur to the flavor of the orange- specifically, it will lose the intensity of its sweetness.
To delay this and effectively extend the shelf life of oranges, one of the things that you can do is refrigerate your oranges. If done properly, they can last you for 3 weeks to a full month.
Be sure to follow these steps for refrigerating oranges:
It is worth noting that while the fridge can significantly extend the orange fruit’s shelf life, it can only do so much.
If you are serious about storing oranges for the long haul, then you need to consider freezing them.
As its name suggests, this method entails drying out sliced orange fruit in the oven. It is a simple process and does not take long.
Moreover, dehydrated oranges can last for up to 2 years, if the process is done correctly.
Here are the steps to dehydrating oranges:
Dehydrated oranges can be used in several ways. For instance, they make great garnish on a cocktail or cheese board.
Here Are The Steps For Canning Oranges:
Canning entails putting oranges into glass jars without pre-cooking them. This process is called ‘raw packing’ in the canning industry.
If done properly, you can expect your canned oranges to last for 18 months to 2 years.
As you may have noticed, both canning and dehydration require a high level of precision and skill to pull off correctly. Moreover, it may also require additional equipment to get the job done.
This is certainly not the case when you freeze your oranges. Freezing is probably the quickest and easiest way to go about storing oranges for the long term.
Oranges have long been cited as one of the healthiest foods around and they can provide several long-term health benefits. The table below shows the nutritional content of a 100g serving of orange.
Nutrient/Mineral | Amount |
Total Fat | 0.1 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 0 mg |
Potassium | 181 mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 12 g |
Dietary fiber | 2.4 g |
Sugar | 9 g |
Protein | 0.9 g |
Vitamin A | 4% of RDI |
Vitamin B-6 | 5% of RDI |
Vitamin C | 88% of RDI |
Calcium | 4% of RDI |
Magnesium | 2% of RDI |
*RDI = Recommended Daily Intake
Undoubtedly, as the table above shows, oranges are incredibly healthy. They come packed with all kinds of nutrients and minerals that can help protect the body from various diseases and conditions.
Down below we have listed some of the most important health benefits you can expect from regularly eating oranges:
With its numerous health benefits and its wide array of vitamins, it only makes sense that you would want to keep oranges on hand at all times.