Winter Citrus All-Star: Cara Cara Oranges

by Katie

Winter is kind of a grim time for produce---root vegetable, root vegetable, bitter greens, root vegetable---so I find myself turning again and again to citrus to brighten things up a bit. A couple of years ago, I bought a few oranges at Whole Foods. I got them home, cut into one, and recoiled: it was a deep coral, almost pink color inside.

Pink oranges?

Okay, admittedly this one does not look that pink, more of a deeper orange. There is some variance. The first one I ever got was the color of a pink grapefruit, I swear.

Some googling informed me that I had inadvertently purchased Cara Cara oranges, and every year since then I have anxiously looked forward to the brief time when they're in season.

In addition to being gorgeous, they're lower in acid than other oranges, and very very sweet, with almost floral flavor. They're super delicious, and give my other winter citrus boyfriend -- the minneola tangelo -- a run for its money.

I've only ever seen them at Whole Foods (at absolutely extortionate costs, it must be admitted- $2 a pound or more) but I'm sure they must also be sold elsewhere- keep an eye out!

 

Comments

[emiliym]

Not sure where you live, but they have them at Stew Leonard's (Connecticut/South East NY areas) every year too for about $5/bag. I don't know how much is in a bag as I usually opt for the blood oranges instead. I guess I'll have to try Cara Cara next time!

[Kate]

We don't have Cara Caras in our yard, but our honeybell tree is RIDICULOUS this year and there's no way we'll eat/juice anywhere near half of them before it's too late.

You may end up with a giant box of them on your doorstep, is all I'm saying.

[pseudostoops]

Don't tease me, Kate! I would KILL for fruit trees in my yard.

[Christa]

I found them at our Costco in the bay area. We are also lucky enough to get them at the farmer's market. So good

[Michelle]

OMG...I love the Cara Cara oranges. The past couple of years both the Kroger up the street and Sunflower market had them. I haven't seen any yet. :( I may have to go check Whole Foods.