November 21, 2024, 1:22 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Myths are so interesting because they often seem to last forever. myHOMEBOOK would now like to dispel one of these myths: the assumption that oranges are always orange.
The striking color of an orange is hard to miss in the supermarket. Its scent also seems to “match” the color perfectly. But this is actually a deception! Oranges are actually green and not orange. Find out why below.
The origins of the orange
When you think of citrus fruits such as mandarins, oranges, lemons, or limes, you usually associate them with the Mediterranean region. This is obvious, as they are an integral part of drinks and food in these countries. But did you know that oranges are also called ‘Apfelsine’? This name reveals where the orange originally comes from, which is China. “Sina” was a name for China for a long time. So basically, ‘Apfelsine’ means ‘apple from China.’ The other citrus fruits also have their origins in this region, more precisely in South East Asia. This was confirmed by a study carried out by a scientist. By analyzing botanical remains, ancient texts, and archaeological finds, she was able to trace how various types of citrus, including lemons, bitter oranges, and mandarins, found their way to the Mediterranean region.
But how did ‘Apfelsine’ actually become ‘orange’? That is also easy to explain: The origins of the word lie partly in ancient Indian (nāraṅga). From there, it was adopted into Persian (nārang) and Arabic (nāranj). Due to the Islamic influence on the Iberian Peninsula, the word also found its way into Spanish (naranja). Over time, this developed into the modern word “orange” in Europe.
Cold nights provide the color we know here
In the United States, the green color, especially in citrus fruits, is associated with unripeness. But the truth is that oranges are originally green – and there is a simple reason for this. The orange color of oranges does not reflect the ripeness of the fruit. The decisive factor is rather the temperature at night. As the science magazine Spektrum explains: “Only in countries with distinct seasons and cool nights do the fruits develop the ripening color that is typical for us.”
Oranges contain chlorophyll, which gives the fruit its green color. In warmer climates, especially in tropical regions, the chlorophyll is not completely broken down due to the heat. Temperatures sometimes remain high, especially at night. This is why oranges remain green there but are still ripe and ready to eat. On the other hand, the nights are more moderate or colder in Spain, Italy, and other Mediterranean countries. These temperatures cause the chlorophyll to break down during the ripening process. The carotenoids released as a result are responsible for the orange and yellow hues we are familiar with here.
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Green does not mean unripe
The “Lab Reporter” from Fisher Scientific explains that oranges belong to the non-climacteric fruits. This group of fruits does not continue to ripen after harvesting but must remain on the tree or plant. But how do green oranges turn orange if not naturally? The answer lies in ethylene. This ripening hormone causes color changes in fruit by breaking down the green chlorophyll, causing the green color to disappear. At the same time, new pigments are created: carotenoids provide orange and yellow hues, while anthocyanins produce red, violet, and blue colors. Almost the same process as in nature – only with ethylene.
It is interesting to note that the natural and artificial color change of oranges basically works according to the same principle. In nature, cool nights ensure that the green chlorophyll is broken down and the bright orange carotenoids become visible. In artificial ripening, the gas ethylene takes over this job – a little ripening assistant for the trade, so to speak. This method is particularly common for oranges that are transported internationally, as consumers in many countries only accept the typical orange-colored fruit. It makes no difference to the taste, but it shows how much we are guided by appearance when shopping.