Organic Sweet Orange Peel Loose Cut 4-10mm (Senegal)

Citrus sinensis L.

1. #Discover our crops / producers#
   

   Species and part of organic sweet orange Citrus sinensis L.
   

   
   The orange tree Citrus sinensis L., native to China, belongs to the Rutaceae family and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century during the great discoveries. Its fragrant flowers and sweet fruits make the sweet orange tree a very coveted tree. Once a rare fruit that was offered to children at Christmas, oranges are now essential citrus fruits used for its juice, its peel, its essential oil and its captivating fragrance.
   
   Derived from the Arabic "naranga", the sweet orange was indeed a luxury product so that orangeries were built within castles and rich residences in order to protect these precious shrubs. The flavour of the sweet orange, its high nutritional value and its active molecules make it one of the most consumed fruits in the world. Popular because it is less bitter than the Citrus aurantium L. (bitter orange) species, the Citrus sinensis L. variety is the most widely cultivated, especially in the countries of the Mediterranean basin as well as in the United States, China, India and Brazil.
   

   The sweet orange tree Citrus sinensis L. is an evergreen shrub with thorny branches. Its height can reach up to ten meters and its white flowers produce fleshy and juicy fruits. The skins, including the zest and the mesocarps, are thus removed from the fresh fruits and retain a characteristic powerful flavour after drying.

   Country and region of organic sweet organge Citrus sinensis L.
   

   
   
   Our organic ingredient orange Citrus Sinensis L. comes from Senegal, a country with very favourable climatic conditions and whose type of soil guarantees quality citrus production. Senegal is indeed famous for its cultivation of limes, pomelos, and mandarins, especially in the Niayes region, which is located on the west coast of the country. These sandy stratas along the Atlantic Ocean are very favorable to food crops and especially citrus fruits because they benefit from the sub-tropical Canaries climate. It is therefore naturally in this terroir that we have established our sourcing.
   
   

   Cultivation and picking of organic sweet orange Citrus sinensis L.
   
   

   Harvesting / drying / sorting methos / storage conditions
   

   In the workshops, it is exclusively women who take care of the whole process. The oranges are peeled, their skins are cleaned and then the peel thus collected is dried naturally in the sun for two or three days. The latter are rather large, with a characteristic scent and taste, orange sometimes tending to brown in colour.

   
   

   The plot, its history and its solidarity ethics
   

   The choice of Natural Origins was guided by our desire to work hand in hand with the local population. With this in mind, we turned to a cooperative whose organisation is based on two fundamental values: better living and better farming.
   The cooperative already had a few export customers, but thanks to the volumes ordered by Natural Origins, their income has increased significantly. Indeed, in addition to oranges, we order organic and Fair For Life references from them, such as desmodium, white and red hibiscus and moringa. We also help the local population by offering this cooperative technical support to improve their drying and cutting process.
   Certified responsible since 2007, Natural Origins also invests in CSR. Indeed, in order to facilitate the staff’s working conditions, we have provided them with knives and protective gloves to peel the oranges, this processing being completely manual.
   We have also created a sports/study academy within the cooperative for education purposes and have provided complete sports equipment for football and basketball (shorts, T-shirts, balls, etc.).
   Regarding the Fair For Life certification for fair trade products, Natural Origins pays contributions to a development fund.

   
   

   Harvest time in the year
   
   

   January

   
   

   Possible annual volumes
   
   

   20 tons
   
   

   Imports are based on strip bark so several cuts are made, according to the needs of the market. We do not buy cut material because we want to control the entire process and guarantee total traceability.

2. #Organoleptic profile#

   Organoleptic profile of organic sweet orange Citrus sinensis L.

   
   
   Our variety of exclusively organic grade sweet orange and with an intense flavour, has a very thin skin and a delicate mesocarp.
   
   

   Liquor details
   This orange, always used as a complement in infusion mixtures, brings a touch of colour to creations but also gourmet thanks to its intensity.

   
   

   Smell

   Characteristic and very fragrant, the scent of sweet orange is both delicate and fruity. Thanks to respectful drying, the orange peel is surprising both in its intensity and its sweetness.
   In the form of essential oil, organic sweet orange has a stimulating, sweet, fresh and energising aroma.

   
   

   Flavour

   Very intense sometimes as in pomelo, the bitter agents from citrus fruits are due to flavonoids, such as naringin. However, in the species Citrus sinensis L. the flavour of orange remains that of citrus fruit, rather neutral and sweet, unlike Seville orange or bitter orange.
   
   

   Intensity

   Beautiful aromatic intensity, more powerful than the species of Spanish origin. The astonishment was great when we smelled it for the first time. We feel that the sunshine is stronger, and that the fruit has drawn its strength from it!

   
   

   Our Natural Origins selection criteria (batch refusal, etc.)

   Our vigilance focuses primarily on contaminants. Citrus fruits are known to be sensitive, and certain productions are clearly contaminated. We check all batches before importing them into France. We apply great rigour to this selection, because we only want to offer products that comply with the regulations in force.
   We also check the humidity of the batches we receive, in order to avoid microbiological proliferation, or even the growth of fungi.
   In addition, we pay a lot of attention to the visual appearance of the bark. We systematically reject batches that seem to us to be non-compliant in colour: brown or greenish bark, non-homogeneous. Indeed, this product is also used as a marker in plant mixtures, so its appearance must be as clean as possible.
   We also check that insects have not damaged the bark by biting it, and that their eggs have not taken up residence there!
3. #Its health benefits#
   Organic sweet orange Citrus sinensis L. health benefits

   
   Source of pharmacologically active substances, in particular for its high vitamin C content (57 mg per 100 g), sweet orange is traditionally used in infusions. Among its many benefits, sweet orange peel helps boost the immune system while fighting against flu and respiratory diseases.
   
   Citrus sinensis L. is a key ingredient in aromatherapy and its essential oil obtained from sweet orange zest is recognised for its purifying (air purification), relaxing and stimulating properties for digestion. It contains limonene, monoterpenols, ketones and terpene aldehydes.
   
   Its barks are rich in bioactive phenolic compounds, tannins, coumarins and flavonoids (including naringenin and hesperetin) with antioxidant properties[1], but also terpenoids (sterols, tri-terpenes and carotenoids), mucilages and sugars. Based on its hesperidin content[2], 20% higher than that contained in the pulp of the fruit, sweet orange peel promotes weight loss while reducing the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. Hesperidin also contributes to the protection of ntestinal flora, to prevent digestive disorders and maintain good metabolism. Dried orange peels also contain four times more natural fiber, pectins, than the fruit itself[3].
   
   

   [1] BOUDAOUD, Megdouda et NOUI, MEHIDI Ilham. Evaluation de l’activité antioxydante et antimicrobienne de graines de Citrus reticulata et d’écorce de Citrus sinensis. 2021. Thèse de doctorat. UNIVERSITE MOHAMED BOUDIAF-M’SILA.

   [2] Samira Lagha-Benamrouche, Caractérisation chimiques des écorces d’oranges, identification par GC-MS et évaluation du pouvoir antioxydant de leurs huiles essentielles  https://www.univ-chlef.dz/revuenatec/Article_463.pdf

   [3] MASSAID, Faténe. Extraction d'huile essentielle a partir des ecorces des oranges-modélisation. 2017. Thèse de doctorat. UMMTO.
4. #Customs and traditions#
   Use of organic sweet orange Citrus sinensis L. in cooking around the world, traditional remedy
   
   
   The small white flower of the orange tree, highly appreciated for its fragrance and known to flavour oriental recipes or perfume the atmosphere, remains a classic of natural pharmacopoeia. Fragrant and much less intense than orange essence, orange blossom water is used in cooking just as orange zest adds a delicious tangy touch to recipes. Orange blossom is also used in cosmetics for its soothing effect and sweet smell.
   
   The dried and concentrated zests of Citrus sinensis L. make it possible to associate orange with sweet cuisine and are mainly used to subtly flavour drinks. The wonderful smell of sweet orange is thus found in infusions and teas.
   
   In the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean tradition, once the petals of orange blossoms have fallen, they are immediately picked up to preserve their whiteness and to be distilled to obtain a wonderful fragrance. Desserts, sweets and savory dishes shine in the sun: makrouts, gazelle horns, pancakes, pastilla or even chbah essafra, a uniquely sweet and savoury tagine flavoured with orange blossom.
   
   The quality of orange blossom water is due to the use of exclusively natural hydrosol or neroli. It flavours sauces and dishes and enhances many culinary preparations with its fragrance. Bigarade, on the other hand, is used to make jam and orange wine, and it is also found in the composition of Cointreau.
   
   In the Middle Ages, it was customary for young girls to put orange blossom water on their face to erase the traces of their tears. In some Middle Eastern countries and in Morocco, we rinse fingers with orange blossom water after the meal. In Constantine, the Algerian distillation of orange blossom water festival takes place every year, a tradition preserved in the ancient Cirta.
5. #Our anecdotes#
   
   Natural Origins' anecdoctes on organic sweet orange Citrus sinensis L.
   
   We found this raw material completely by chance. In Senegal to admire moringa, also present in the product range, the cooperative presented us with its work on orange peel. We felt the power of the orange while it was still locked in its bag, which the manager of the cooperative was handing us... We looked at each other knowing that we were holding a gold nugget in our hands!
   
   We immediately thought of customers who would love to have it in their blends, and those who would immediately be seduced by its beauty. How was it possible that we had not thought of looking for this bark in a territory as favorable as Senegal? We first worked with a ton of bark, then the first full container was quickly imported...
   
   Soon Natural Origins will develop a new range dedicated to beers and spirits in which you will find our organic Orange ingredient from Senegal in the form of bark.