Recipes & Cooking Healthy Recipes Healthy Eating Why Cara Cara Oranges Are the Colorful Citrus You’ll Want to Try ASAP This flavorful, seasonal fruit offers color and nutrition in equal measure. By Christina Manian, RDN Christina Manian, RDN Christina Manian is registered dietitian, freelance writer, and sustainable food systems professional who has been contributing to Dotdash Meredith since 2022. She has written content for publications like Well+Good, Taste of Home, Nutrition Business Journal, Vitamix, Climbing Magazine, and Dignity Health. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on July 26, 2023 Did you know that citrus fruits are one of the only fruits in season during the winter? Not too long ago, the joys of taste-testing some unique citrus fruits was limited to winter, but now we can enjoy many citrus fruits (and their many benefits) all year long. One delicious type of orange that you may not be familiar with is the cara cara orange. A relatively new kid on the block, the cara cara is not only beautiful, but it also has a flavor profile that might just make it your new favorite citrus. What are cara cara oranges? Originally discovered in Venezuela in the 1970s, cara cara oranges, or Citrus sinensis (their scientific name), are also known as red-fleshed navel oranges. A relative of the blood orange, they are a cross between the Brazilian Bahia navel orange and the Washington navel orange. In the U.S., during the winter months, they primarily grow in California. bhofack2 / Getty Images While their bright, orange exterior may lead you to believe that you’re peeling into a navel orange, what you find inside may shock you. The flesh of the cara cara orange is a beautiful, deep pink-red color with subtle notes of orange, reminiscent of a cross between a grapefruit and a blood orange. Plus, if the color doesn’t wow you, the flavor certainly will. These oranges lend the most irresistible sweet, tangy flavor with so little acidity that you may forget momentarily that you’re eating a citrus fruit. Many even report tasting berry notes when enjoying the cara cara. Is Eating Oranges in the Shower as Great as Everyone Says? BHG / Zoe Hansen. Are cara caras good for you? As if the flavor and appearance of the cara cara orange weren't enough, these little rays of sunshine are loaded with nutrition. Every cara cara will provide heaps of vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants including lycopene—which is responsible for the orange’s vibrant color. The other nutrients found in this gorgeous orange will help to boost your immune system, maintain healthy eyesight, regulate your digestion, and keep a healthy fluid balance. Is There an Orange Shortage? Signs—and Prices—Point to Yes Delicious Ways to Try Cara Cara Oranges With all this enticing information about the cara cara, you may be itching to give them a try. Here are some super tasty ways to incorporate them into your daily routine: Peel and eat them just as is, or hand juice them for the perfect pick-me-up—in the morning or as an afternoon snack.Slice them and add to oatmeal or yogurt, or use them as pancake toppings in the morning.Create a healthy twist on the Orange Julius with a smoothie featuring cara caras.Use them as a crowd-pleasing topper for a hearty winter salad with pomegranate, kale, fennel, and walnuts.Zest and juice this bright citrus to make a delicious vinaigrette for salads and roasted vegetables, or to create a marinade for meat, poultry, fish, or tofu.From jazzed-up cranberry sauce to a deliciously savory demi-glace for a fancy meal, cara cara oranges can add the perfect zest and sweetness to almost any sauce.Spice up your weekend get-together with a cara cara orange cocktail—your guests will be so impressed.Give your old cranberry orange muffin recipe a tune-up by subbing in cara cara for the classic navel orange. They also pair well in cookie, cake, and ice cream recipes. Regardless of the weather outside, you can create your own brightness in the kitchen by experimenting with cara cara oranges. With their brilliant color, sweet flavor, and impressive nutrition profile, you and your family will simply fall in love with them. Seasonal Easy-Peel Sumo Oranges are a Must-Try Sweet Citrus Fruit Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. "Cara Cara navel orange." Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at the University of California at Riverside. "Cara Cara the Power Orange." FoodData Central, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.