A thick-skinned, sweet, nearly seedless Shamouti orange, easy to peel and — the reason it mattered — tough enough to survive a sea voyage. The variety appeared near Jaffa in the mid-1800s and was exported through its port, becoming the region’s emblem abroad.
It is a fruit variety eaten raw from the hand. There is nothing to prepare and no method to write down.
What goes into it
- the fruit itself
How it is made
Nothing is made. The Shamouti arose as a bud mutation on a single tree near Jaffa and has been propagated by grafting ever since, so every Jaffa orange descends from that one branch. Its thick rind and low juice content, poor qualities in a juicing orange, were exactly what let it be shipped across Europe before refrigeration.
How long it takes: the fruit ripens on the tree from winter into spring
How it is eaten
Peeled and eaten in segments, which is the whole point of the variety.
History
The Shamouti variety appeared near Jaffa in the mid-1800s and was exported through its port, becoming the country’s emblem abroad.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jaffa orange?
Jaffa orange is a snack from Israel: thick-skinned sweet Shamouti orange, easy to peel and to ship. The Shamouti variety appeared near Jaffa in the mid-1800s and was exported through its port, becoming the country’s emblem abroad.
How is Jaffa orange made?
Nothing is made. The Shamouti arose as a bud mutation on a single tree near Jaffa and has been propagated by grafting ever since, so every Jaffa orange descends from that one branch. Its thick rind and low juice content, poor qualities in a juicing orange, were exactly what let it be shipped across Europe before refrigeration. It takes the fruit ripens on the tree from winter into spring.
Can I make Jaffa orange at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It is a fruit variety eaten raw from the hand. There is nothing to prepare and no method to write down.
What goes into Jaffa orange?
The fruit itself.
How is Jaffa orange eaten?
Peeled and eaten in segments, which is the whole point of the variety.
