5 Tips to Pick a the Juiciest Orange Every Time

Selecting a ripe, juicy orange is easy once you know what to look for. Here’s how to make sure every orange you bring home tastes fresh and sweet.

When choosing an orange, start by feeling its weight and firmness. Gently squeeze the fruit into your palm. A ripe orange is firm to the touch, but it flexes slightly when you apply pressure. It should be firm and not soft or squishy. Avoid oranges that seem rock hard, as they tend to be dry inside.

Next, check the weight. A heavier orange generally means it contains more juice. Take a few and compare how they feel in your hand. Choose the one that feels heaviest for its size for a juicy orange.

A tasty, juicy orange should have a yellow-orange color on at least 25% of the skin. Oranges grown in warmer climates do not always turn a deep orange color, and some perfectly ripe oranges have green spots on the skin, which do not affect the taste or quality of the fruit. These green spots are normal and usually mean the orange was grown in a warmer region. ​

The texture of the orange peel should be relatively smooth and tight against the fruit. Run your fingers over the surface of the orange. A little texture is normal, but be careful with rough or thick skin. These textures often mean the orange has a thick skin, less fruit inside, or is past its peak.

Check for soft spots, bruises, cuts or wrinkles on the surface. These are signs that it may be overripe, damaged, or starting to dry out.

Quickly smell the scent near the stem end of the orange or gently scrape the peel. A fresh orange should give off a bright citrus scent. If there is no flavoring, it may not be very tasty. Oranges that smell sour or fermented may be overripe.

Once you have selected your oranges, proper storage helps maintain their taste and texture. You can store whole oranges at room temperature for up to five days. Place them in a well-ventilated area to prevent moisture from accumulating on the surface.

For longer storage, refrigerate your oranges to keep them fresh for up to 10 days. The crisper works well because it maintains consistent temperature and humidity levels.