Cara cara navel

The Cara Cara navel orange, or red-fleshed navel orange is an early-to-midseason navel orange believed to have developed as a spontaneous bud mutation on a Washington navel orange tree. The Cara Cara navel orange, or red-fleshed navel orange is an early-to-midseason navel orange believed to have developed as a spontaneous bud mutation on a Washington navel orange tree. Discovered at the Hacienda Caracara 10°14′41″N 67°56′52″W / 10.2447°N 67.9478°W / 10.2447; -67.9478 in Valencia, Venezuela in 1976, the parentage is apparently uncertain enough to occasionally warrant the distinction of a mutation, with only the tree on which it was found—the Washington navel—being an accepted progenitor. Cara Caras did not enter the U.S consumer produce market until the late 1980s and were carried only by specialty markets for many years thereafter. This medium sized navel is seedless, sweet and low in acid and characterized by little to no pith and easy, clean separation from the rind. The flavor is more complex than most navel varieties and has been described as evoking notes of cherry, rose petal, and blackberry. Unlike true blood oranges, where the main pigmentation is due to anthocyanins, pigmentation in Cara Cara is due to carotenoids such as lycopene. From the major growing regions, South African Cara Caras are ready for market starting in August, Venezuelan fruits arrive in October and California fruits make their seasonal debut in late November and are available through April.