Orange Crush
By Shelley Drozd
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Oranges are the (late) Rodney Dangerfield of fruit -- they don't get any respect. But if you've had it up to here with the same-old, same-old "O," it's time to check out your other orange options, each currently making its way to your local market.
PUMMELO
Tastes like: A sweeter, less-tart version
of its distant cousin, the grapefruit.
Cool fact: The largest of all citrus fruits, this green giant can sometimes grow big enough to masquerade as a watermelon.
Why you should try it: Pummelos are a great diet food, high in both water and fiber, that'll keep you feeling full as long as
possible after eating.
MORO
Tastes like: A shot of OJ with a raspberry chaser.
Cool fact: Moros are nicknamed "blood oranges" because of their succulent deep-red pulp.
Why you should try it: To fight headaches and muscle pain. Moro oranges are filled with compounds called anthocyanins, potent plant
pigments that protect your body from toxins and inflammation.
CLEMENTINE
Tastes like:
A mixture of apricot nectar and canned
mandarin oranges.
Cool fact: Clementines are the unwanted love child of an accidental tryst between an orange and a tangerine plant.
Why you should try it: Since they're small, seedless, and a cinch to peel and break into segments, Clementines are also
the ultimate no-mess, portable fruit snack.
CARA CARA RED NAVEL
Tastes like: Fresh cherries with
a tart cranberry zing.
Cool fact: The fruit gets its name from the flow-ers the Cara Cara tree produces -- the tip of which resembles the human belly button.
Why you should try it: Cara Cara navels are the next best thing to a multivitamin, packed with the vitamin C you expect, plus cancer-fighting lycopene and vitamin A for healthy skin and Superman vision (minus the X-rays).
OROBLANCO
Tastes like:
A grapefruit, only sweeter and without the harsh, bitter aftertaste.
Cool fact: There's no need for these oranges
to ripen. The green
skin means go -- the
fruit is ready to eat.
Why you should try it:
To improve your workout. Oroblanco oranges are loaded with thiamin, which helps promote muscle growth, maintain a healthy nervous system, and keep stamina levels running at their peak.
MINNEOLA TANGELO
Tastes like: At once
bold, sweet, and super tart -- the Nicole Richie of citrus fruits.
Cool fact: Tangelos are easy to peel and highly noted for their knobby ends, further advancing the Nicole theory.
Why you should try it:
To avert future heartache. (Are you listening,
Ms. Richie?) One "mini"
will nearly top off
your body's folate reserves, helping to clear your system of an artery-clogging substance called homocysteine and dramatically reducing your risk of all forms
of cardiovascular disease.
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