What are sour oranges?
Sour oranges, also known as bitter oranges or Seville oranges, are a citrus fruit known for their very tart, acidic taste. They are smaller than sweet oranges and have a bumpy, irregular appearance. The peel is thicker and the flesh is drier than sweet oranges.
Sour oranges are not eaten fresh – their extreme tartness makes them unsuitable for consumption as a fruit. However, they are widely used in cooking and baking. Their acidic juice and zesty peel provide a sharp, citrusy flavor to dishes.
Where do sour oranges come from?
Sour oranges originated in southeast Asia but are now grown in warm climates around the world. They are commonly grown in the Mediterranean region, as well as South America, Africa and the Middle East.
The biggest producer of sour oranges is Iran, followed by Egypt and Turkey. In the United States, sour oranges are primarily grown in Florida and California.
When is sour orange season?
The season for sour oranges runs from winter through early spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, sour oranges come into season around December and last through April or May. In tropical regions, sour oranges can be harvested year-round.
What drinks can be made with sour oranges?
Sour oranges are a key ingredient in several traditional drinks thanks to their tart juice and intense orange flavor. Popular drinks made with sour oranges include:
Orange marmalade
Sour orange marmalade is a preserves made by boiling sour orange peel, juice and sugar into a thick jam-like spread. It has a bitter-sweet flavor and makes a great topping for scones, toast or peanut butter sandwiches.
Orange curacao liquor
This bright orange flavored liqueur from the island of Curacao gets its signature flavor from the dried peels of sour oranges. It adds a sweet-tart orange taste to cocktails.
Orange cello
Cello is an Italian liqueur infused with citrus fruits. Orange cello is made by soaking sour orange peels in neutral grain spirit for weeks to extract the essence and oils from the peels. It delivers a concentrated sour orange flavor.
Seville orange gin
By steeping sour orange peels in gin for several weeks, the gin takes on the complex bitter-sweet taste of the oranges. It’s delicious in gin cocktails calling for an orange note.
Orange bitters
Bitters are concentrated flavoring agents used in small amounts in cocktails. Orange bitters get their punchy citrus taste from sour orange peel, herbs and spices. Just a couple drops add intrigue to an old fashioned or Manhattan.
What baked goods can be made with sour oranges?
From cakes to cookies and everything in between, sour oranges are a popular ingredient in baked goods. Their bright, citrusy flavor works well in the following:
Sour orange upside down cake
Slices of sour orange are caramelized in butter and brown sugar to make a sweet-tart topping for this classic cake.
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sour oranges, thinly sliced | 2 oranges |
| Butter, softened | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Light brown sugar | 1/2 cup |
| All-purpose flour | 1 1/2 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| Baking soda | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Granulated sugar | 3/4 cup |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Sour cream | 1/2 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
Sour orange scones
The zest of sour oranges adds brightness to this tender British quick bread.
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Cold butter, cubed | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Sour cream | 3/4 cup |
| Sour orange zest | Zest of 1 orange |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Milk | 1/3 cup |
Sour orange ricotta cookies
The tang of sour oranges plays nicely against the creamy ricotta in these Italian-inspired cookies.
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1 stick (1/2 cup) |
| Granulated sugar | 3/4 cup |
| Eggs | 1 large |
| Ricotta cheese | 1 cup |
| Sour orange zest | Zest of 1 orange |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
What savory dishes work well with sour oranges?
Sour oranges can lend their vibrant citrus flavor to a variety of savory recipes, both as an ingredient and as a finishing touch. Some tasty ways to cook with sour oranges include:
Sour orange chicken
Chicken simmered in a sweet-sour sauce made with sour orange juice, honey, vinegar, soy sauce and spices. Serve over rice.
Sour orange glazed salmon
Salmon fillets roasted with a sticky glaze of sour orange juice, brown sugar and mustard.
Sour orange vinaigrette
Make a bold salad dressing by whisking together sour orange juice, olive oil, shallots, honey and herbs.
Sour orange aioli
Stir chopped sour orange zest into mayonnaise flavored with garlic and lemon for an aioli with zing.
Sour orange duck breasts
Pan-seared duck cooked to a perfect medium-rare and drizzled with a sour orange gastrique (caramelized sugar and sour orange juice).
Moroccan sour orange couscous
Couscous flavored with a mixture of sour orange juice, olive oil and spices. Serve with roasted vegetables.
Cuban mojo chicken
Boneless chicken thighs marinated in a Cuban-style mojo criollo sauce with sour orange, garlic, olive oil and cumin.
What are some ways to preserve sour oranges?
Since sour oranges have a short seasonal window, preserving them is a great way to enjoy their flavor all year long. Here are some ideas for preserving sour oranges:
Can sour orange slices in simple syrup
Simmer sliced sour oranges in a syrup made of equal parts sugar and water. Once cooled, transfer oranges and syrup to sterilized jars and refrigerate up to 6 months.
Make sour orange marmalade
Cook sliced sour oranges with sugar and water until thick and jammy. Store in sterilized jars in the refrigerator up to 1 year.
Freeze sour orange juice in ice cube trays
Juice sour oranges and pour into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags. Add to recipes all year as needed.
Pickle sour orange peels
Boil peels to soften, then store in jars covered with a hot vinegar solution. Refrigerate up to 6 months.
Dehydrate sour orange slices
Use a dehydrator or low oven to dry thin slices of sour orange. Store in an airtight container up to 1 year.
Infuse vodka or gin with sour oranges
Store sliced sour oranges in a jar of vodka or gin for 2-3 weeks to infuse the liquor with flavor.
How do I choose good sour oranges?
Follow these tips for picking flavorful sour oranges:
– Choose oranges that feel heavy for their size with no soft spots. Heavy oranges will have the most juice.
– Look for oranges with finely grained, bumpy skin. Smooth-skinned oranges tend to be less flavorful.
– Seek out oranges with a bright orange color. Pale yellow-orange skin indicates under ripe fruit.
– Give them a sniff. Fresh sour oranges will have a tart, citrusy aroma. Avoid any odorless oranges.
– Smaller oranges tend to be tarter and more flavorful than larger ones. Aim for 2-3 inch diameter oranges.
– Test the taste. Sample a slice from an orange- if it makes you pucker, it’s perfect!
How should I store sour oranges?
To get the most out of your sour oranges, store them properly:
– Keep sour oranges at room temperature. Do not refrigerate raw sour oranges. Cold damages their flavor.
– Place them in a basket or bowl in a cool, dark place like a pantry. Avoid direct sunlight.
– To extend shelf life, wrap each orange individually in plastic wrap. This prevents moisture loss.
– Use within 2 weeks for the freshest flavor. The tangy taste declines with long storage.
– Once cut, wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate up to 5 days. Discard oranges if mold develops.
– Freeze juice in ice cube trays up to 6 months. Frozen juice cubes can be popped into recipes.
Conclusion
With their bright, tangy flavor and versatility in both sweet and savory recipes, sour oranges are a unique citrus fruit worth seeking out. They add a pleasant puckery taste and aroma to drinks, baked goods, vinaigrettes, glazes, preserves and more. Sour oranges are simple to incorporate into everyday cooking. Experiment with new ways to make the most of this seasonal treat.