Oranges are not actually orange

What came first, the fruit – orange or the color – orange?

Until the 16th century, the color Orange was not actually a color but was referred to as a shade or Red called 'geoluread'. The word 'Orange' derives its name from the French word 'Orenge', which is a literal translation of the Sanskrit word 'Naranga'.

Even though their flesh is Orange in color, Oranges are in fact naturally green. Oranges grown in warm regions stay green throughout their lifetime. In the cooler parts of the world, on the other hand, Oranges actually do turn orange in color as chlorophyll dies off when exposed to cool temperatures.

We generally perceive orange color with ripe fruits, and from a sales point of view, it helps in business if ripe oranges are of a bright orange color. To solve this problem farmers spray their crops with Ethylene, to kill off any remaining chlorophyll. Doing this is for appearance and has no effect on taste.

In reality, ripe oranges are green, never orange. As an orange matures, it is full of chlorophyll. If exposed to cool temperatures during the maturing process, chlorophyll will die off and the orange color comes through.