A single slice of an orange does not have an official or commonly used unique name. Oranges are most often referred to by the entire fruit, as segments or slices when cut, or as wedges if cut a certain way. When eating an orange, people typically just refer to each slice as a “slice of orange.” While there is no special term for one segment of an orange, examining the question provides an opportunity to explore the anatomy, history, and uses of oranges.
Anatomy of an Orange
An orange is a hesperidium, a type of berry with a tough, leathery rind. Inside the rind, orange flesh is divided into segments by thin membranes.
Segments
Oranges can have between 10-14 segments inside them. Each segment contains juice vesicles that hold the juice within the fruit. When peeled, these segments naturally separate from each other. Each individual section is called a segment or sometimes a slice.
So when an orange is cut horizontally, the resulting round pieces are referred to as slices or segments. There is no specific name for just one segment.
Carpels
Within the segments are smaller units called carpels. Carpels are the individual chambers that contain the juice vesicles. There can be around 6-14 carpels per segment. The carpels are separated by thinner membranes. When eaten, these membranes sometimes remain as white threads in the orange flesh.
Juice Vesicles
Inside each carpel are dozens of juice vesicles. These are small, fluid-filled sacs that contain the sweet, juicy orange pulp. When the vesicles are ruptured during eating or juicing, the juice is released.
So in summary, a whole orange contains segments, which contain carpels, which contain juice vesicles. Each slice of an orange that is cut contains multiple segments, carpels, and vesicles.
History and Cultivation of Oranges
Oranges likely originated in Southeast Asia and grew wild there for thousands of years. They were first cultivated in China around 2500 BC and gradually spread westward along trade routes. Sweet oranges were brought from China to Europe in the 15th century. Spanish and Portuguese explorers then introduced sweet oranges to the Caribbean and Americas in the 1500s.
Today, Brazil is the world’s leading grower of oranges, followed by the United States, China, and India. Florida and California produce the majority of oranges in the US. The two main types of oranges are sweet oranges and bitter or sour oranges. Popular sweet orange varieties include navel oranges, Valencia oranges, blood oranges, and cara cara oranges.
Uses of Oranges
Oranges have many culinary and non-culinary uses. Their versatility contributes to their popularity worldwide.
| Culinary Uses | Non-Culinary Uses |
|---|---|
| Eaten raw as a snack or dessert | Made into perfumes and aromatherapy oils |
| Juiced | Used in certain cleaning products |
| Added to salads, salsas, curries | Made into natural dyes and paint pigments |
| Zest grated for baked goods | Used in herbal medicines |
| Segmented over yogurt, oatmeal, desserts | Adds fragrance to potpourri |
As you can see oranges are extremely versatile fruits that can be eaten and used in many ways.
Nutrition and Health Benefits
Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, providing over 100% of the recommended daily intake in one fruit. They also contain the following nutrients:
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Thiamin
- Folate
- Antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavanones
The combination of nutrients and plant compounds in oranges provide many health benefits:
May boost immune function
The high vitamin C content helps support the immune system. Vitamin C aids the growth and repair of tissues in the body.
May lower blood pressure and cholesterol
Hesperidin and polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) in oranges have been shown to lower cholesterol and blood pressure in clinical studies.
May reduce risk of stroke
Flavonoids in oranges appear to help protect against ischemic stroke. Eating more citrus fruits is linked to lower stroke risk.
May prevent kidney stones
The citrate and potassium in oranges can help prevent calcium from forming kidney stones.
May improve skin health
Eating citrus fruits is associated with lower risk of skin damage from UV exposure. Orange antioxidants protect the skin.
Fun Facts about Oranges
- It takes about 60 oranges to make one liter of orange juice.
- Oranges float in water while lemons sink.
- It takes anywhere from 6-12 months for an orange to fully ripen on the tree.
- The taste in orange peel oil comes from over 600 compounds.
- It takes 22 bees visiting a flower to pollinate one orange blossom.
- Christopher Columbus planted the first orange trees in the New World on the island of Hispaniola in 1493.
- The color orange was named after the fruit, not the other way around.
Conclusion
While an individual orange slice does not have a specific name, the segmented anatomy of oranges allows them to be easily divided into portable, edible pieces. Oranges have a long global history and are enjoyed around the world in many forms. Their balance of nutrients and plant compounds offers a variety of potential health benefits. So whether you call them slices, segments, or just orange slices, enjoying this juicy, refreshing fruit provides a sweet source of vitamin C and flavor.