Tangy raspberry oranges – better known as blood oranges – and sweet Cara-Cara oranges come together in this flavorful Fresh Raspberry Orange Juice that boasts a beautiful pink hue.
Confused by the name of the recipe? Let me explain. Calling this recipe “Fresh Blood Orange Juice” just didn’t sit well with me … and this recipe is so much more than your average pitcher of OJ. The terms “raspberry” and “blood” are used interchangably to describe these tart oranges with a crimson-colored flesh. So, Fresh Raspberry Orange Juice it is – and to be clear, there are no raspberries here. This all-natural orange juice recipe is 100% citrus based with no added sugar. Such goodness in a glass!
What is a Raspberry Orange?
Raspberry orange is a much nicer way of referencing a blood orange – but there’s a reason for the name. The blood orange has a purple-red or crimson hue to its flesh. The color is a result of pigments created by anthocyanin, which is a powerful antioxidant.
Some say the flesh of the raspberry orange also gives hints of raspberry. The flavor of a blood orange is going to vary based on factors that include personal preference, variety, freshness and even location. Personally, my palate doesn’t pick up on raspberry. To me, blood oranges are juicy and tart – a cross between an orange and a sweet grapefruit. I found the raspberry orange without the addition of Cara Cara orange juice to be quite bitter and not a juice I would drink on its own.
What are the Health Benefits of Raspberry Orange?
Citrus fruits are an important source of vitamins and nutrients, the most prevalent of which is Vitamin C. The Vitamin C in one orange of any given variety can be as high as 50mg, or 100% of the daily recommended amount for adults. Oranges are also an important source of water-soluble antioxidants. Potassium, fiber and folate are also a few of the important nutrients you’ll get in oranges. You can read more about the power of antioxidants in this article from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Should You Peel Oranges Before Juicing?
To peel or not to peel … it’s an important question and, honestly, it’s up to you. There’s plenty of expert commentary to back up either option. There are many nutrients in the rind of an orange, but there can also be high levels of toxins. If you buy your citrus from a local organic farm, a good scrub should be sufficient. When it’s off-season or I can’t get to the farmers market, I peel citrus fruits that come from my local grocery store before juicing. If I’m going to take the time to juice for health, I’m going all the way. Peeling oranges isn’t all that time consuming, and you can peel your oranges the night before you want to make your fresh juice for breakfast.
How to Make Fresh Raspberry Orange Juice
Making fresh orange juice at home is easy. It just takes a little patience and a good juicer. There are recipes out there that tell you how to make homemade orange juice using citrus juicers, hand juicers, blenders, etc. This method calls for a cold press or slow juicer. We use a Hurom slow juicer. It was an investment several years ago and its still going strong.
Prepare the oranges. Peel or thoroughly scrub your blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges. Three pounds of blood oranges yields approximately 24 ounces of fresh juice. That’s equal to about 10-12 medium blood oranges. One pound of Cara Cara oranges yields approximately 8 ounces of juice. That’s 4-5 medium Cara Cara oranges. (See Notes section about sizes).
Juice the oranges. Send your oranges through the juicer. You may combine both types of oranges and juice simultaneously or you can juice them separately.
Strain the juice (optional). Your juicer will catch most of the pulp, but some pulp is inevitable. We enjoy the orange pulp at our house. However, you can use a mesh strainer if you prefer pulp-free orange juice.
Serve and enjoy! Your blood orange to Cara Cara orange ratio is going to be 3-to-1. Three parts (24 ounces) blood orange juice to one part Cara Cara orange juice (8 ounces). Feel free to play with the ratios to get your perfect blend. Enjoy!
Raspberry Orange / Blood Orange FAQs
- Are blood oranges healthier than navel oranges? According to US Citrus, the difference in nutrients between blood oranges and navel oranges comes down to the antioxidant I referenced early, called anthocyanin, which is responsible for the crimson-colored flesh of the blood orange.
- When are blood oranges in season? In the Southern U.S., citrus season runs from November to March, give or take. Blood oranges, like most citrus fruits, are at their peak during the winter months.
- Do blood oranges stain? Yes! The crimson pigmentation of blood oranges does stain, but not in the way, say, turmeric stains. Blood oranges stain in the same way a blueberry or strawberry might stain.
- How do you prepare blood oranges? Blood oranges are prepared in the same ways that other citrus fruits are prepared. Blood oranges don’t require any particularly special preparation methods.
- How do you enjoy blood oranges? Again, blood oranges are enjoyed in the same ways other oranges and citrus fruits are enjoyed: fresh, juiced, broiled, in salads, in salad dressings, in cocktails and sauces over fish or chicken. The possibilities are endless.
- What is the difference between a navel orange and a Cara Cara orange? Simply put, Cara Cara oranges are sweeter and less acidic than regular oranges, or navel oranges. They also have a pretty pink flesh and fewer seeds. Cara Cara oranges are a subtype of the navel orange.
Fresh Raspberry Orange Juice
Fresh raspberry oranges – more commonly known as blood oranges – are paired with freshly squeezed Cara Cara oranges in this Fresh Raspberry Orange Juice recipe. The result is a bright pink, 100% all-natural orange juice that’s packed with nutrients like Vitamin C and contains no added sugar.
- Total Time: 20 mins.
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 3 pounds raspberry oranges / blood oranges (10-12 medium oranges)
- 1 pound Cara-Cara oranges (4-5 medium oranges)
Instructions
- Peel or thoroughly scrub your blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges. Run them through a cold press juicer or slow juicer.
- If you don’t like pulp in your juice, use a mesh strainer to filter out the pulp.
- Your blood orange to Cara Cara orange ratio is going to be 3-to-1. Three parts (24 ounces) blood orange juice to one part Cara Cara orange juice (8 ounces).
- Feel free to play with the ratios to get your perfect blend. Enjoy!
Notes
- Supporting local citrus farmers is our first choice for the freshest ingredients, but we recognize it’s not always possible. If you can, please support local farmers during citrus season, which typically runs November through March.
- Blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges are naturally smaller than navel oranges. Keep this in mind when picking out your oranges. A medium blood orange or Cara Cara orange is going to look more like a large clementine or a small navel orange.
- You can substitute any type of orange you prefer for the Cara Cara oranges. The point is to balance out the tartness of the blood orange with a sweeter variety. My favorite substitutions for Cara-Cara oranges include clementines, which yield a much sweeter juice, and navel oranges which are a little more tart and more acidic than Cara Cara oranges but taste great in this orange juice recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 mins.
- Cook Time: 0 mins.
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Juicer
- Cuisine: American
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