The orange tree was brought to the Mediterranean from Asia by the Saracens
during the Crusades. It now grows in Sicily, Israel, Spain and the United
States. This evergreen tree has orange round fruit with roughish skin Orange
oil is used in many Curacao type liqueurs and for the flavoring of food,
drink and confectionery and when added to furniture polish, helps to protect
against damage from insects.
Description of Orange:
A small tree upto 12m tall with large spines. Leaves with narrow
winged-petioles with blade ovate, bluntly toothed. Flowers axillary in a
small bunch, white and fragrant. Blood oranges have dark red pulp and juice
of excellent flavor. It is distilled from the whole fruit and this oil
epitomizes a comfortable, relaxed state of mind and increases positive
occurrences. It has a lively, fruity, sweet aroma. It is used to scent
fruity and cologne fragrances.
Appearance : Thin liquid
Aroma : Sweet, Citrusy, Reminiscent of the freshly peeled
fruit
Color : Orange
Chemical constituents: Orange oil has various chemical
compounds that include pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool,
citronellal, neral, geranial, decylic aldehyde, Terpineol and carotin.
Extraction: It is extracted by the cold expression of the
peel.
Aromatherapy uses:
The therapeutic properties of orange oil are antiseptic, anti-depressant,
antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, diuretic, cholagogue,
sedative and tonic. It is refreshing but sedative, orange is a tonic for
anxiety and depression.It also stimulates the digestive system and is
effective for constipation. Its antiseptic properties work well for mouth
ulcers
Pharmaceutical uses:
It is a sunny and radiant oil which brings happiness and warmth to the mind
and helps people to relax and help children to sleep at night. Orange oil
can be used effectively on the immune system as well as for colds and flu
and to eliminate toxins from the body. It is a good diuretic and is most
useful in balancing water retention and obesity. Its lymphatic stimulant
action further helps to balance water processes, detoxification, aiding the
immune system and general well-being.
Flavor industry:
Oranges have great role in flavor industry. In Mexico, however, sour
oranges are cut in half, coated with a paste of hot chili peppers and then
eaten. The greatest use of sour oranges as food is in the form of marmalade
and for this purpose they have great value. The fruits are largely exported
to England and Scotland for making marmalade. Sour oranges are used
primarily for marmalade in South Africa. The juice is valued for ade and as
a flavoring on fish and in Spain, on meat during cooking.
In Yucatan, it is employed like vinegar. In Egypt and elsewhere, it has
been fermented to make wine. Orange oil expressed from the peel, is in great
demand for flavoring candy, ice cream, baked foods, gelatins and puddings,
chewing gum, soft drinks, liqueurs and pharmaceutical products. The ripe
peel of the sour orange contains 2.4 to 2.8% and the green peel up to 14%
neohesperidin, dihydrochalcone which is 20 times sweeter than saccharin and
200 times sweeter than cyclamate. It has great demand in market to be used
as sweetener in flavoring. Orange juices, one of the commodities traded on
the Brazil is the largest producer of orange juice in the world, followed by
the USA. Sweet orange oil a byproduct of the juice industry produced by
pressing the peel is used as a flavoring of food and drinks. Orange blossom
water is a common part of Middle Eastern cuisine. In Spain, fallen blossom
is dried and then used to make tea.
Orange blossom honey is a citrus honey which is produced by putting the bee
hives in the citrus grooves and it is highly prized and has great
international demand.
Cosmetics and Toiletries:
Soap substitute: Throughout the Pacific Island, the
crushed fruit and the macerated leaves, both of which make lather in water,
are used as soap for washing clothes and shampooing the hair. On the islands
of Zanzibar and Pemba, the fruits are used for scouring floors and brass.
The orange blossom which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally
associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head
wreaths for tradtional weddings. Orange oil is also the best selling massage
creme which combines the desired features of an oil and lotion in one. With
an effortless glide and luxurious consistency, it offers excellent
versatility, workability and absorbency. It is also used in cleansing agent
and effective in removing grease.
Perfumery:
All parts of the sour orange are more aromatic than those of the sweet
orange. The flowers are indispensable to the perfume industry and are famous
not only for the distilled orange oil but also for "orange flower
absolute" obtained by fat or solvent extraction.
The wood is handsome, whitish to pale-yellow, very hard, fine-grained, much
like boxwood having a sweet aroma. It is valued for cabinet work and
turnery. In Cuba it is fashioned into baseball bats. Citrus fruits are
notable for their fragrance, partly due to terpenes contained in the rind,
and most are juice-laden. The juice contains a high quantity of citric acid
giving them their characteristic flavor. They are also good sources of
vitamin C and flavonoids and are used in the blending of essential oils.
