How to Choose the Juiciest Orange at the Store, According to a Citrus Farmer

A juicy, tangy orange is a delightful treat all year, but it’s especially satisfying during the winter when you crave something bright and flavourful. That’s why it’s so disappointing to peel one open only to find dry, bland segments inside.

According to Tony Marquez, who has been running Pearson Ranch in California’s San Joaquin Valley for nearly 30 years, the perfect orange strikes a balance between sweetness and tanginess. "You want the acidity to give it a little bite, but it should also be sweet," he says. Here's how to pick the best oranges, whether you're at the grocery store or a farmers market.

What to look for in an orange

• Weight and firmness: A good orange feels heavy for its size and firm to the touch.
• Smooth, tight skin: The peel should be solid, with no loose or wrinkled areas.
• Fragrance: A fresh, citrusy aroma is a sign of quality.
• Bright color: The more vibrant, the better.

A quality orange should be a rich, uniform orange hue. When browsing through varieties like navel, Valencia, or blood oranges, choose ones that are bright and evenly colored. Steer clear of fruit with white spots, which could signal damage during shipping.

Look for smooth, tight skin
Oranges with smooth, taut skin tend to be juicier, with a thinner pith and more fruit inside. Avoid oranges with wrinkled or saggy skin unless you're buying varieties like Sumo mandarins or clementines, which naturally have looser peels. For navel, Valencia, or Cara Cara oranges, the skin should be tight and smooth.

Don’t be put off by minor blemishes, though. Marquez notes that while grocery stores often favour flawless fruit, these imperfections don’t affect the flavour.

Size matters — and so does weight
When choosing oranges, go for ones that feel heavier than expected. Marquez explains that smaller, heavier fruit tends to have thinner rinds and more concentrated flavour. "The more weight it has, the more juice it’s likely to hold," he says.

Give it a squeeze and a sniff
Firmness is key to freshness. Oranges that are still firm are likely to be juicier and fresher. Gently squeeze the orange to test its firmness and avoid those that feel squishy or soft.

A ripe, juicy orange will also have a sweet, citrusy fragrance, especially near the stem end. If there’s no noticeable aroma, it probably won’t taste great either.

What to do with a dry orange
If you can't find a juicy orange, Marquez suggests turning dry or limp fruit into marmalade. Another option is using the rind to garnish cocktails, taking advantage of its fragrant oils while discarding or composting the dry flesh.

If you’ve squeezed the juice but it’s lacking flavour, add some zing with ingredients like ginger and soy sauce for a bright marinade perfect for chicken or shrimp. It’ll bring some much-needed acidity to your meal and enhance the flavour of your weeknight dinners.