Expert Tips on Selecting the Best Ripe Oranges and How to Store Them Correctly

Struggling with how to pick ripe oranges? Selecting the perfect orange at the grocery store or farmers market can be tricky, especially when faced with a pile of seemingly identical fruits. But there are subtle signs to help you pick a good one, even without tasting it.

Once you’ve brought home your near-perfect oranges, there are different storage methods to consider based on how you plan to use them. Keep reading for expert advice on how to enjoy this delicious and versatile citrus fruit at its best!

How to Select a Ripe Orange

When choosing a ripe orange or a batch of them, don't settle for the first flawless fruit you come across. Use your senses to guide you in picking the best orange. Here's what to look for while shopping for oranges.

Seek Out Bright Colors

The color of an orange speaks volumes. According to Nicole Stefanow, MS, RDN, a culinary dietitian nutritionist, "Regardless of the variety, a ripe orange should feature a thin, vibrant skin and emit a fresh, pleasant aroma." Some ripe oranges might have a slight green hue but should predominantly showcase a bright orange color.

Choose the Firm and Heavy Ones

"It should feel firm to the touch and have some weight to it, indicating it's juicy and ripe," says Stefanow. "A light orange typically means a dry, pithy fruit." Emmy-nominated chef Nathan Lyon, who spent over a decade working at a Los Angeles farmers market, also agrees that weight is a sign of juiciness, as it indicates a plentiful amount of juice inside.

Avoid Oranges with Imperfections

Lyon also advises checking for oranges without any soft patches, signs of spoilage, or wrinkles, as these could signal over-ripeness. However, don’t be alarmed if you spot a few blemishes. "You can't judge oranges solely by their color, as some ripe ones may have green or brown marks," says Ann Ziata, a chef and instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Choose the Most Fragrant Oranges

A ripe orange will emit a sweet, citrusy fragrance near the stem. "If you're planning to use the orange zest, which holds the most delightful essential oils, opt for organic," Lyon suggests. "And remember to scratch and sniff each orange—those with the strongest aroma are the best choices."

The Right Way to Store Oranges

In general, how you store an orange depends on its ripeness. Depending on its stage of ripeness, you can keep an orange at room temperature on the counter, in the fridge, or even in the freezer.

"Oranges can stay fresh for up to two weeks when stored correctly, and sometimes even longer depending on where you bought them," says Lyon. "If you buy locally grown oranges from a farmers market, they’ll last much longer than those shipped from afar to a grocery store."

Keep Oranges on the Counter

If you've used your skills to select a perfectly ripe orange and plan to enjoy it soon after bringing it home, storing it on the kitchen counter or in a fruit bowl at room temperature is perfectly fine. "Depending on the humidity in your area, oranges will stay fresh for about a week on the counter," says Jeanne Oleksiak, executive chef of HERD Provisions in Charleston, S.C.

Just be sure to keep your oranges out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can speed up the ripening process, causing the fruit to spoil before you get a chance to enjoy it.

Refrigerate for Longer Freshness

If you don't plan to use your oranges right away, the best option is to store them in the refrigerator. Fully ripe oranges can last up to two months there. Lyon suggests that oranges should "definitely" be refrigerated. "Think of them as little glasses of orange juice that haven’t been juiced yet," he adds. "For optimal freshness, keep them loose (not in a plastic bag) in the crisper drawer of the fridge."

Chef Carla Contreras advises against storing oranges in a sealed bag or container, as the fruit needs air to breathe. "Sealing them traps too much moisture," she explains. Ziata recommends using a breathable material like a mesh bag to store refrigerated oranges.

In the Freezer

Not sure you'll have enough time to use all of your oranges before they go bad? Stick 'em in the freezer! Once frozen, oranges or parts of oranges will last for about a year. "While fresh is always best, it is possible to freeze oranges. The best method depends on what you plan to do with the orange," says Ziata.

For example, if you love to throw some orange segments in your morning smoothie for a vitamin C boost, Ziata suggests you peel and separate the wedges and then store them in a thin layer in an air-tight freezer bag. "I would not recommend serving frozen and thawed orange slices whole because their texture will be unpleasantly mushy," she adds.

How to Use Ripe Oranges

Once you have a batch of ripe oranges, you can turn them into fresh-squeezed juice or blend them into delicious fruit smoothies. Zest the peel to elevate cocktails or brighten up your baked goods. You can even make homemade orange marmalade or create delectable orange desserts like a citrus pavlova.

The sweet flavor of oranges isn't just perfect for drinks and desserts. You can also cook up fantastic dinner dishes like stellar orange chicken or toss some orange slices into a fresh salad. The fresher the orange, the better the taste, but frozen oranges and frozen orange juice are also great for smoothies and desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I freeze fresh orange juice?

  If orange juice is your go-to, juice the oranges, strain it, and then freeze. "I like to freeze orange juice in ice cube trays and transfer the cubes to an airtight container," says Contreras. While freezing a whole orange and thawing it to juice later is possible, Ziata recommends juicing first to save time and freezer space.

• How do I freeze orange zest?

  To freeze orange zest for future use in cocktails or soups, start by cleaning and drying the orange, then zest it as usual. The key is storing the zest properly to maintain its flavor and aroma. "Freeze the zest in an airtight container to preserve its potency," Ziata advises.

• Is it okay if an orange skin is bumpy?

  Bumpy or rough skin on an orange doesn’t necessarily mean it's bad. However, oranges with smoother skin are generally juicier. Focus on the color, firmness, and aroma of the skin for a better indication of ripeness.