Oranges and Valencia go together like peanut butter and jelly, like wine and cheese. It’s one of the first foods that spring to mind when you think of Valencia. And how could it not?
They are everywhere.
A charming quirk you’ll first notice when you land is that orange trees are planted all over Valencia’s streets and plazas. They’re just getting started in the fall, which is why if you’re visiting around the end of August through October, you’ll spot trees dotted with green fruit. The color of lime but the shape of the famous Valencia orange.
The orange isn’t just featured prominently in city planning, either – they’re deeply ingrained in Valencian culture. You’ll see evidence of this everywhere. In Valencian desserts and drinks that feature orange blossom water as a fragrant ingredient. In lotions and potions and soaps that do the same. On orange-themed souvenirs from ceramic oranges to orange-flavored liquor and marmalades.
You’ll catch a whiff of their influence in every corner of this town.
Are Oranges From Valencia?
Yup, Valencia and oranges have a deeply intertwined relationship. And yet – here’s a fun fact: the Valencian orange as we know it didn’t actually originate here!
That’s right – the Valencian orange was developed by a Californian guy named William Wolfskill. It was sweet with just the right amount of tang. And it was oh, so juicy. It quickly became the most popular juicing orange in the US.
So how did Valencia end up stealing the orange’s spotlight? Well, it didn’t. Valencia was already renowned for its sweet, flavorful oranges, thanks to its ideal Mediterranean climate, with its long, hot summers and mild winters. The perfect setting for growing world-class citrus. Wolfskill simply borrowed the city’s fame to name his hybridized orange.
So the oranges in Valencia (aka naranjas valencianas) and Valencian oranges (from California) are actually not the same.
But they are both delicious. Because the Valencians haven’t just been sitting back and letting the weather do the work. They’ve been committed to quality citrus cultivation since something like the 10th century. Today, the Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA) stands as one of Europe’s leading agricultural research centers, with a heavy focus on citrus, of course.
So no, the Valencian orange may not have originated from Valencia. But by god, they have earned the title as they’ve been perfecting the craft for centuries.
Can You Eat Oranges Off Trees in Valencia?
It’s tempting, isn’t it. There you are, walking around this beautiful city surrounded by ripe, juicy-looking oranges hanging off the trees, begging to be plucked and enjoyed.
So can you eat them?
Sure, you can. But it’s not recommended: they will disappoint you. These are bitter oranges so you won’t get the sweetness and juiciness that you’ve come to expect form the oranges in Valencia.
So leave the oranges in the trees for their intended fate – perfumery, essential oils, or to be used for jams and marmalades. And indulge in the sweet oranges that are available everywhere instead.
Orange you glad you asked?
How to Enjoy Oranges in Valencia
So you’re in Valencia, the land of oranges, and you want to fully immerse yourself in the orange experience. Well, you are in luck, mi amigo.
Here are some uniquely orange-themed things to try and do!
1. Fresh squeezed orange juice!
Let’s start with the easiest – enjoying a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. The most obvious place is Valencia’s Mercado Central, which also happens to be one of the largest and oldest markets in Europe.
Head over to the fruit stands to try some freshly squeezed orange juice from local oranges. So sweet. So flavorful. It’ll keep you recharged to explore the rest of the historic market.
But you don’t need to just head to the market. Freshly squeezed juice from Valencia’s local oranges is available in most cafes, bars, restaurants, and almost everywhere. Including the supermarkets, where you can fresh squeeze a big bottle of orange juice for yourself.
2. Munch on orange-flavored dessert
Valencia’s love for oranges extends deep into its dessert culture. And there’s so. much. variety.
Try the tarta de naranja for a combination of zesty orange and buttery pastry.
Or rosquillas de naranja for doughnut-like softness, flavored with orange zest and dusted with sugar. Love flan? You’ll want to try flan de naranja. Creamy, rich with the perfect contrast of citrus.
If you like rice pudding, arroz con leche de naranja is a must. It’s flan infused with orange zest and accompanied by a drizzle of orange syrup if you’re lucky.
Sponge cakes? Got those, too. Go for bizcoho de naranja. And if you’re here in the summertime, nothing beats helado de naranja for a refreshing cool-off treat.
My personal favorite is a traditional Valencian dessert – naranjas de chocolate. Think thin slices of candied orange dipped into rich dark chocolate.
3. Sip on Agua de Valencia
You can’t miss out on Agua de Valencia, a popular cocktail made with cava (Spanish sparkling wine), fresh Valencian orange juice, vodka, and gin.
It’s refreshing and popular – thus, you will find it pretty much everywhere.
4. Go orange picking
You want to get hands-on with the oranges in Valencia? Take a trip to the countryside just outside of Valencia to go orange picking.
Specifically, La Huerta, which is basically orange wonderland. There are orange groves everywhere. Most of them are family-owned, passed down through generations. These people have oranges in their blood.
If you do a guided tour, you can stroll through the orange groves, learn about the cultivation process, and pick fresh oranges straight from the trees and enjoy them on the spot.
5. Or do a scenic bike ride
For those who want a more active way to enjoy the orange fields, there are several cycling routes that take you through the Valencian countryside.
You can rent a bike in the city and head out to the orchards, where you’ll pass through rows of orange trees with the Mediterranean breeze in your hair.
6. Shop orange souvenirs
You can also take a piece of Valencia home with you by shopping for orange-themed souvenirs. There are a lot to choose from. Orange-flavored liqueurs and marmalades. Decorative ceramic oranges. And my personal favorite – soaps, perfumes and beauty products that feature orange tree blossoms (aka azahar).
When’s the Best Time to Visit?
If you’re a true naranja fan and want to visit at the perfect time for peak orange enjoyment – it’s got to be the spring time. Specifically, April.
Valencia’s oranges are harvested for much of the year – from November to June. But it is in late March and April that orange blossom season happens. This is the peak time to experience oranges as an immersive experience. You won’t just get to eat and drink oranges – you’ll feel them everywhere. The very air is rich with the sweet, delicate scent of blooming orange flowers.
It’s the perfect, most serene backdrop for a visit to Valencia.
Last Fun Orange Fact
Visiting Valencia with a partner? Refer to them as ‘mi media naranja.’ That literally translates to ‘my half orange’ but in Spain, it means ‘my soulmate’ or ‘my better half.’
That’s how significant oranges are around here.