Are soft oranges still good? No, they are not. These days, you’ll see them served in restaurants only as a garnish—added to citrus juice cocktails, sold as a cost-effective way to repurpose oranges that have already been eaten, or used in smoothies. But even though their name implies they are the softer half of the orange, we’d much rather have the crisp tanginess of the striate orange.

 The best use for an orange is freshness: Get your hands on some fresh ones and you will feel satisfied for hours; add them to your cooking and you can leave your guests feeling lightheaded with guilt. An artificial sweetener commonly found in oranges has made them bitter and softened their natural flavor. Look out for these signs if you’re buying a fresh orange:

The Skin of the Orange Is Very Thin and Transparent.

 This is often caused by poor soil and fertilization, which leads to the growth of the “leaves” on the tree instead of the “bearing” ones. This is why you’ll often see small, orange-colored trees in parks and gardens.

 

The Scent of the Oranges Is Not Strong at All.

This is because the oranges are fresh, not preserved. They don’t have much stored energy, so after being exposed to air for a few days, they release some of their natural scent. Look for oranges with a delicate scent; if you find ones that are too strong or overpowering, those are probably too old to be consumed fresh.

 

The Orange Flesh Is Rather Dry and Crumbly.

This happens when the tree is old and the fruit has begun to rot. The dry, flaky texture is normal, and healthy, orange-flesh. A sign of this is orange-colored scum on the fruit.

The Inside of an Orange Is Yellow (Not White) And Has a Bitter Aftertaste.

 This happens when the tree gets too old, has a disease, or a hit in the head. The sweet, juicy inside is affected first, after which the orange starts to brown and lemon-colored spots start to appear. This is a sign of aging, also called “rot”.

 

An Artificial Sweetener Commonly Found in Oranges Has Been Added to the Juice. This Can Make Food with or Without It Taste Bad.

This is the most common mistake people make when they’re first starting out with orange juice. They think that since it’s sweetened with sugar, it must be good for you. While it’s true that natural sweeteners like ursolic acid and acetic acid are good for you, they have a much weaker sweetening power than sugar. Therefore, when you add sugar to orange juice, you are likely end up with a flavorless, heavy-duty dessert.

 

Always Buy Organic Oranges for Their Flavor and Quality.

These oranges are grown using modern techniques and have almost no impact on the environment. They are not endangered and were not Introduced to agriculture (i.e. agriculture without the use of pesticides) until the 1960s. They are still being grown today and are a good choice for organic agriculture.

 

Bottom line

When buying oranges, look for a fresh, vibrant orange with a delicate scent, not an old, dried-out one. You should also try to get them without any blemishes—pimples, bruises, or other damage is a sign of past use and is not indicative of the quality of the fruit. Still, if you’re craving the crisp, sweet taste of an orange, go for it. You will be satisfied for hours!