Disappointing oranges

VfM4meplse

I have recently started eating oranges again after a break of 10 years or so, having decided that they're not too much hassle to peel after all. So far this summer I've been lucky enough to have found some super-tasty oranges from my local market stall, they have been sweet, juicy and tangy.

Until today that is! The first one I peeled was dry, ropey and tasteless so was discarded. The second was half dry, sweet but tasteless. The third was even worse than the first. It must have been a year old at least .

Any recommendations for where to buy consistently decent oranges?

happy35

i find the fruit at Sainsburys to be of a high quality and have had some nice oranges from there

oranges have been a bit of a trial and error for me in the past but have been ok with sainsburys, have probably jinxed myself nowand will get some from there that are as dry as sticks !!!

VfM4meplse

I live next to a Sainsbury's - but I think it was theirs that put me off in the first place!

rinoa778

I rarely go to M&S but they're always good for oranges and grapes. M&S is great when buying food as a gift when you're visiting.

jenniewb

Depends on the type. I normally stick to Navel or Navelina oranges which seem to be in the shops round about Xmas time and the few months surrounding. At the moment they seem to only be selling Valencia which IMO are just rubbish for eating! They are never as sweet and its not abnormal to find one which is so dried out its like eating the pith without anything inside it!

If its any consolation I'm having the same issue with plums. I love plums but it appears only the varieties from South Africa are worth eating, I have tried time and time again to eat the ones from Chilie but they are just so hard, never ripen and just not sweet, maybe better for cooking (so long as you add a bucket full of sugar!) wouldn't have minded but even the posh/more expensive ranges within supermarkets (ie the Finest, Taste The Difference and etc) yet it makes no difference, as long as their bought in from Chilie they aren't worth me even bothering.

Teahfc

Oranges as you say are best when Navel or Navelates, we are coming up to the time of the year where it will be southern hemisphere fruit that eats better. Look out for South African Navels in the next couple of weeks.
Regarding plums once again in between North & South hemisphere so leave all those manky Chilean & South African plums,you need either early season USA,Israeli or Spanish .... With rain in both Spain and California ths year the plums along with other stone fruit has been late in arrival so that is why so much old season Chilean and South African about.

mandragora_2

It's seasonal, isn't it. I always think oranges are fantastic around about Christmas up till about March. After that it's a bit hit and miss, though I might try some of the advice here about summer choices!

jezza2412

... but on the other hand you can get Smashing Pumpkins...