Cara Cara Oranges
Cara Cara Oranges
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Cara Cara Oranges
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Post #1 - February 28th, 2009, 3:46 pmSuper H-Mart had Cara Cara oranges today, either by the box or individually at 79 cents each. I grabbed three as part of my "eat more fruit, stupid" resolution.
Cara Cara is a Sunkist navel variety (seedless), info about it here, although what I had looked somewhat different.
The ones I purchased have an extremely thick rind (about 1/3") with very fragrant zest (I zested one for an experiment I'm trying: chinese red-braised beef flavors using Alton Brown's "stew" braise technique. I'll post more details once I see how it came out)
The membranes are pretty opaque, which hides the gorgeous color of the flesh: deep purple-red at one end, fading to traditional orange at the other. Taste-wise, they're only moderately juicy, but sweet and flavorful with something of a cherry or grenadine note. The Sunkist page says "cranberry-like" -- I'm not tasting that.
It's definitely not a blood orange -- much less bitterness -- but a welcome variation in oranges, and nice to have another seedless variety. Because of the thick rind, and because it isn't very juicy, I wouldn't use this for making blood-orange juice, but I sure would supreme them for a garnish on a salad or a chicken or pork dish.What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang
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Post #2 - February 28th, 2009, 3:59 pmWidely available; Jewel carries them.
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Post #3 - February 28th, 2009, 4:13 pmspinynorman99 wrote:Widely available; Jewel carries them.
Innnnteresting. The Randhurst Jewel, if they have them, has been hiding them very well.What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang
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Post #4 - February 28th, 2009, 4:15 pmI've also seen them most of the winter at a couple different Whole Foods. Specifically at the Sauganash one today.
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Post #5 - February 28th, 2009, 5:23 pmThe Fresh Market in Wilmette had them on sale a couple of weeks ago, I think around $1.29/lb
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Post #6 - March 2nd, 2009, 5:09 pmI love these things! They taste better than the regular oranges, to me at least. They're prettier too!Hillary
http://chewonthatblog.com <--A Chicago Food Blog!
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Post #7 - March 2nd, 2009, 7:51 pmWF generally has these. We picked up some at Sauganash yesterday. They are very good.
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Post #8 - March 3rd, 2009, 5:03 pmGuess what: The Cara Caras I described above aren't Cara Caras, regardless of what the shelf was tagged as. They're Moros (same link as above). I finally read the sticker on the side.
I actually had some Cara Caras on the counter from Jewel. They're good too, I like the Moro better... although the description on the Sunkist page says the Moro is "thin skinned" -- it most certainly isn't.What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang
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Post #9 - March 27th, 2009, 1:18 pmCara Caras are available at Costco, $7 for an 8lb bag. This is by far the best price I've seen in the area for cara caras.
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Post #10 - April 23rd, 2009, 10:04 pmI've just discovered Cara Caras. They are good eating oranges and have a lovely pinkish orange flesh. I'm sad because I think they will be out of season soon.Toria
"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - As You Like It,
W. Shakespeare
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Post #11 - December 18th, 2009, 8:47 pmAny sightings of Cara Cara's yet? These are my favorite oranges and I hope to eat one a day when in season.Toria
"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - As You Like It,
W. Shakespeare
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Post #12 - December 18th, 2009, 8:52 pmtoria wrote:Any sightings of Cara Cara's yet? These are my favorite oranges and I hope to eat one a day when in season.
I saw them at Costco recently.. $8.50 for a big bag (10-12lbs maybe?)
Costco routinely had them earlier and later than most other vendors, but the late-season ones were pretty terrible. During the season last year I was eating 4-5 a day, so Costco's price and volume helped a lot, and the ones from the peak of the season were fantastic.
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Post #13 - December 18th, 2009, 9:06 pmI saw them at Hyde Park Produce last week.
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Post #14 - December 18th, 2009, 10:44 pmWhen does the season end? 4 to five a day, hmmmm did you turn orange??? LOLToria
"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - As You Like It,
W. Shakespeare
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Post #15 - December 18th, 2009, 11:24 pmI found quality started declining a lot in late March/early April, but they were really the best in January.
And no, never turned orange. My fingers constantly smelled of orange oil, though.
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Post #16 - December 19th, 2009, 12:45 pmI bought some at Jewel last weekend. They were delicious but they didn't have very many. And I have no idea how much they were -- the regular navels looked pathetic so I scooped up some cara caras because i wanted the citrus...
They're such a nice surprise when you peel them...
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Post #17 - December 23rd, 2009, 9:26 amI bought a half dozen at Stanley's on Sunday for $1.49/pound. Just ate one--a little more sour than the best Cara Cara oranges I've had but not bad.
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Post #18 - December 23rd, 2009, 10:05 pmJoelF wrote:Guess what: The Cara Caras I described above aren't Cara Caras, regardless of what the shelf was tagged as. They're Moros (same link as above). I finally read the sticker on the side.
I actually had some Cara Caras on the counter from Jewel. They're good too, I like the Moro better... although the description on the Sunkist page says the Moro is "thin skinned" -- it most certainly isn't.
Moros are blood oranges. I like them much better than Cara Caras, which, as I've written before, I find pretty but insipid. They have a nice pink color, but not much flavor.
