Disappointing Oranges and Fruit Recommendations

[Rowls]

Few things in life are as disspiriting and dissatisfying as a dry and tasteless citrus fruit.

Previously they were only available for a month or two around Christmastime and were delicious and juicey. Nowadays satsumas, clementines and tangerines are universally awful. They've been bred for looks and longevity over taste and texture.

Next thing you know, the supermarkets have rebranded them as "easy peelers" meaning they're harder to correctly identify.

Whoever endured a dried up and watery fruit but thought, "Oh well, at least it peeled easily." Nobody, that's who.

Make sure you shop by variety! The big sign may or may not call them "Easy Peelers" but the individual label will tell you the exact variety.

I'm making a list of good small citrus fruits to avoid the dry and watery abominations. So far, there are two modern varieties I've found that can actually be tasty:

Nadorcott - these were in season a month or two ago. They're often reduced in Tesco and have a great taste. One or two were a bit drier than I'd like but they do at least taste nice.

Mihowase - These are available in Tesco in Padiham right now. They're yellowish but don't let that put you off. They're extremely juicey. Flavour-wise, a little tarter than the sweetest but it's a nice full flavour. Tesco are being cheeky and they're priced properly only if you have a loyalty card. If you don't they're over-priced.

[Rowls]

BTW If anybody ever spots any blood oranges for sale -anywhere- please post here and let me know. Ta very much!

[LeadBelly]

Consider switching to pineapple. Decent sized ones for about a quid in most supermarkets. Excellent source of vitamin C and other nutrients; tasty and easy enough to keep and chop up if you have a sharp knife.
Amazing how cheap they are.

[fatboy47]

I'd like to unreservedly associate myself with the OP.

[Jel]

Consider switching to pineapple. Decent sized ones for about a quid in most supermarkets. Excellent source of vitamin C and other nutrients; tasty and easy enough to keep and chop up if you have a sharp knife.
Amazing how cheap they are.

I like Pineapple, (just not on Pizza). I bought a corer which cuts out the centre and removes the hard core.
It leaves a spring shape of fruit.

Screenshot_20250515_151729_Chrome.jpg (483.81 KiB) Viewed 2693 times

[Bosscat]

Few things in life are as disspiriting and dissatisfying as a dry and tasteless citrus fruit.

Previously they were only available for a month or two around Christmastime and were delicious and juicey. Nowadays satsumas, clementines and tangerines are universally awful. They've been bred for looks and longevity over taste and texture.

Next thing you know, the supermarkets have rebranded them as "easy peelers" meaning they're harder to correctly identify.

Whoever endured a dried up and watery fruit but thought, "Oh well, at least it peeled easily." Nobody, that's who.

Make sure you shop by variety! The big sign may or may not call them "Easy Peelers" but the individual label will tell you the exact variety.

I'm making a list of good small citrus fruits to avoid the dry and watery abominations. So far, there are two modern varieties I've found that can actually be tasty:

Nadorcott - these were in season a month or two ago. They're often reduced in Tesco and have a great taste. One or two were a bit drier than I'd like but they do at least taste nice.

Mihowase - These are available in Tesco in Padiham right now. They're yellowish but don't let that put you off. They're extremely juicey. Flavour-wise, a little tarter than the sweetest but it's a nice full flavour. Tesco are being cheeky and they're priced properly only if you have a loyalty card. If you don't they're over-priced.

If you find they have dried out a little peel them and segmentise them by cutting them up, and put them in a bowl add an egg cup full of Brandy, cover with Cling film and put in fridge for aroud 4 hours.

Of course if you have a problem using alcohol use a fruit juice instead...

[Herts Clarets]

Oranges are not the only fruit......

[Tribesmen]

Just thinking , I have never seen the range of fruit and veg as in California now a lot of it crap but looked great. As for taste hard to beat Italy , hard to see much imported here all In season kind of thing .
Has to be the best cherry tomatoes i have ever tasted in the world .
Thailand for fruit as so much of it that you will have never seen , I could live on rambutans for the rest of my life if I could .

[Conroy92]

Few things in life are as disspiriting and dissatisfying as a dry and tasteless citrus fruit.

Previously they were only available for a month or two around Christmastime and were delicious and juicey. Nowadays satsumas, clementines and tangerines are universally awful. They've been bred for looks and longevity over taste and texture.

Next thing you know, the supermarkets have rebranded them as "easy peelers" meaning they're harder to correctly identify.

Whoever endured a dried up and watery fruit but thought, "Oh well, at least it peeled easily." Nobody, that's who.

Make sure you shop by variety! The big sign may or may not call them "Easy Peelers" but the individual label will tell you the exact variety.

I'm making a list of good small citrus fruits to avoid the dry and watery abominations. So far, there are two modern varieties I've found that can actually be tasty:

Nadorcott - these were in season a month or two ago. They're often reduced in Tesco and have a great taste. One or two were a bit drier than I'd like but they do at least taste nice.

Mihowase - These are available in Tesco in Padiham right now. They're yellowish but don't let that put you off. They're extremely juicey. Flavour-wise, a little tarter than the sweetest but it's a nice full flavour. Tesco are being cheeky and they're priced properly only if you have a loyalty card. If you don't they're over-priced.

A great post.
It was only last month I got a new bag of easy peelers and they were that tasteless I havnt had any since. Its been a few in the trot. Purchased at Sainsbury's mine.

Maybe we could keep this a pinned post and over time build up recommendations which could also include the seasonality.

Glad it's not just me that's noticed the nose dive in quality.

[Aclaret]

Oranges are not the only fruit......

Indeed, I have the same complaint as Rowls with Plums.....dry as hell ! I'm struggling with my Plums...

[LeadBelly]

I like Pineapple, (just not on Pizza). I bought a corer which cuts out the centre and removes the hard core.
It leaves a spring shape of fruit. Screenshot_20250515_151729_Chrome.jpg

Blimey, I thought I was sophisticated owning an apple corer but that looks top notch.

[LeadBelly]

Indeed, I have the same complaint as Rowls with Plums.....dry as hell ! I'm struggling with my Plums...

I often wonder if you can return some fruit purchases under the trades descriptions act (or whatever the equivalent is now).
You see a label with something like "juicy and delicious" and when you get them home and taste one, they are nothing of the sort.

You cant go to far wrong with apple, pear, banana, kiwi fruit and pineapple but plums, peaches (& clearly satsumas) are a bit of an unknown. Still - chop em all up and bung some yoghurt on in a bowl and it tends to be tasty enough and healthy (until the next food scare story anyway).

[dougcollins]

I've been buying those yellowish ones. Morrisons do free fruit for kids, and I noticed how much juicier they were when peeling them for my Neice's two year old.

Taste good too.

People probably aren't buying them as there's always a load on the kids' free fruit stand.

[dibraidio]

If someone is looking for a disappointing citrus experience I can thoroughly recommend a tin of mandarin orange segments in syrup. My nan used to love putting them on a trifle and they never failed to degrade the experience.

[dougcollins]

If someone is looking for a disappointing citrus experience I can thoroughly recommend a tin of mandarin orange segments in syrup. My nan used to love putting them on a trifle and they never failed to degrade the experience.

Raspberry jelly with tinned mandarin orange segments.

I can still taste it now.

[Quickenthetempo]

All fruit is hit and miss these days.

I can only think the transportation takes longer since Brexit

[Bullabill]

My oranges ripening nicely, guarded by my cat.

oranges.jpg (245.98 KiB) Viewed 1988 times

[claretabroad]

Fruit rant? I'm all in.

'Ripen at home' peaches. Here is a punnet of fruit that will remain rock hard until the point they get covered in mould.

Many varieties of fruit have vanished over the years because they don't meet supermarket buying guidelines about shelf life or may bruise easily. These varieties tend to have better flavour and texture. The newer varieties in supermarkets also tend to be bred for higher sugar content and this leads to fruit whose flavour is just too sweet and doesn't actually taste of what it is supposed to.

I now buy my fruit from a fantastic independent, local greengrocers. I have a much shorter window before it turns but the quality is outstanding. They also sell rambutans which is one of the only places I've ever seen do that in the uk.

[SlidingTackle]

Persimmons / Sharon Fruits (only downside is the Israeli connection).

[ClaretOfMancunia]

The san marzano baby tomatoes currently on sale in Lidl for about £1.30 a pack are bloody lovely. Really juicy and full of flavour, unlike the watery/tasteless ones you normally find in most supermarkets. I don't even really like tomatoes but I can sit and eat a packet of these with a sprinkle of salt in one go.

[Tribesmen]

Fruit rant? I'm all in.

'Ripen at home' peaches. Here is a punnet of fruit that will remain rock hard until the point they get covered in mould.

Many varieties of fruit have vanished over the years because they don't meet supermarket buying guidelines about shelf life or may bruise easily. These varieties tend to have better flavour and texture. The newer varieties in supermarkets also tend to be bred for higher sugar content and this leads to fruit whose flavour is just too sweet and doesn't actually taste of what it is supposed to.

I now buy my fruit from a fantastic independent, local greengrocers. I have a much shorter window before it turns but the quality is outstanding. They also sell rambutans which is one of the only places I've ever seen do that in the uk.

Rambutans ........ Myself and Mrs Tribes are packing our bags and on our way .

[MrTopTier]

BTW If anybody ever spots any blood oranges for sale -anywhere- please post here and let me know. Ta very much!

Blood oranges like the marmalade making Seville oranges are seasonal I believe. So January/Feb time are the best time. Will keep my eyes (rather than my oranges)peeled though.

[Rowls]

Blood oranges like the marmalade making Seville oranges are seasonal I believe. So January/Feb time are the best time. Will keep my eyes (rather than my oranges)peeled though.

If you see any of them ANYWHERE I will be sooo grateful and I'll literally be on my bike to buy them.

Last time I saw them in England was about 10 years ago in a M&S and they'd been stupidly 'rebranded' as blush oranges.

No, seriously. They really had.

And they were pitifully tiny.

It seems that supermarkets judge that UK consumers not only prefer good-looking fruit over juicey and tasty fruit, but we're also judged to be stupid.

[IanMcL]

Indeed, I have the same complaint as Rowls with Plums.....dry as hell ! I'm struggling with my Plums...

Keep your thumb out!

[Rowls]

Bought some more satsumas from Tesco for 89p again yesterday.

They look the same as before -they're on the yellow end of the orange spectrum- but look closer and the variety has changed. The new variety is called 'Okistu'.

They are very juicy but the taste isn't great. There's a gentle satsuma aroma to them but they are far from packed with flavour.

Juiciness - Good
Flavour - Disappointing

Not bad, but they've begun to spoil after only half a day in the house. I'm fastidious about checking them in the shop so I know they weren't going off in the shop. Oh well, at least they're ripe.

[ChrisG]

Not sure what it's like in France Rowls, but here fruit and veg is very seasonal in the supermarkets.

It's not cheap, for example I was in Lidl yesterday and paido over 2€ for 2 onions, however the quality is very high.

You can't get the equivalent of a 20p bag of carrots or potatoes for a pound like in Tesco (which was a big shock when we first moved!), however taste wise, and longevity is much better.

[Rowls]

Not sure what it's like in France Rowls, but here fruit and veg is very seasonal in the supermarkets.

It's not cheap, for example I was in Lidl yesterday and paido over 2€ for 2 onions, however the quality is very high.

You can't get the equivalent of a 20p bag of carrots or potatoes for a pound like in Tesco (which was a big shock when we first moved!), however taste wise, and longevity is much better.

Hi ChrisG

I'm back in the UK now, based in Padiham.

The fruit and veg was hideously expensive where I was in France. However, I was living in the centre of Montpellier which would be the equivalent of living in a trendy London suburb or the centre of Bristol or Brighton. I know that if I had a car I could've gone out of town to a hypermarche and got things a lot cheaper.

It's tricky to make comparisons - like comparing apples and oranges, so to speak.

Certain things, typically root veg in France weren't as good quality as UK supermarkets. On the other hand the fruit was normally slightly better quality in France most of the year and a lot better quality when the fruit/veg was in season.

The UK was/is cheaper on the whole.

However, the variety was better and the seasonality was far better in France. You had to learn to live with the idea that there weren't always going to be certain things available, but there was a much bigger emphasis on the idea of, this is in season now, there's a glut of them so here they are and they're cheaper than everything else because they're in season. For example, I wouldn't expect to see courgettes in the supermarket at all in February. In contrast, I've seen very ropey courgettes in the UK all year round - and overpriced too.

There aren't thriving market places in the UK anymore and I don't know of a single respectable green grocer in Burnley. In Montpellier I could walk to four green grocers in 5 minutes from my doorstep. It wasn't like living in the real world.

One of the things I really miss is the wild mushrooms that the grocers sold. These were obviously extremely seasonal and they were also very expensive but they were great. I've found cep/porcini/penny bun in the UK but yet to discover morels, chanterelles, pluerots or death trumpets. I really miss the death trumpets - they were cheap(ish) and plentiful and made anything taste like manna.

[ChrisG]

Hi ChrisG

I'm back in the UK now, based in Padiham.

The fruit and veg was hideously expensive where I was in France. However, I was living in the centre of Montpellier which would be the equivalent of living in a trendy London suburb or the centre of Bristol or Brighton. I know that if I had a car I could've gone out of town to a hypermarche and got things a lot cheaper.

It's tricky to make comparisons - like comparing apples and oranges, so to speak.

Certain things, typically root veg in France weren't as good quality as UK supermarkets. On the other hand the fruit was normally slightly better quality in France most of the year and a lot better quality when the fruit/veg was in season.

The UK was/is cheaper on the whole.

However, the variety was better and the seasonality was far better in France. You had to learn to live with the idea that there weren't always going to be certain things available, but there was a much bigger emphasis on the idea of, this is in season now, there's a glut of them so here they are and they're cheaper than everything else because they're in season. For example, I wouldn't expect to see courgettes in the supermarket at all in February. In contrast, I've seen very ropey courgettes in the UK all year round - and overpriced too.

There aren't thriving market places in the UK anymore and I don't know of a single respectable green grocer in Burnley. In Montpellier I could walk to four green grocers in 5 minutes from my doorstep. It wasn't like living in the real world.

One of the things I really miss is the wild mushrooms that the grocers sold. These were obviously extremely seasonal and they were also very expensive but they were great. I've found cep/porcini/penny bun in the UK but yet to discover morels, chanterelles, pluerots or death trumpets. I really miss the death trumpets - they were cheap(ish) and plentiful and made anything taste like manna.

This is very similar to our experience in Germany, very seasonal and expensive, but when things are in season they are very good.

I look forward to Spargel (White asparagus) season in April a lot!

20 odd years ago I lived in Tenerife for a while, and the tomatoes were absolutely divine. The closest I've come to finding the same was in Italy last summer.

Funnily enough, immediately prior to moving to Tenerife, I also lived in Padiham for a couple of years, and look back fondly on my time there.

[Rowls]

This is very similar to our experience in Germany, very seasonal and expensive, but when things are in season they are very good.

I look forward to Spargel (White asparagus) season in April a lot!

20 odd years ago I lived in Tenerife for a while, and the tomatoes were absolutely divine. The closest I've come to finding the same was in Italy last summer.

Funnily enough, immediately prior to moving to Tenerife, I also lived in Padiham for a couple of years, and look back fondly on my time there.

Oh yeah - the tomatoes! One of the most popular starter dishes in late summer was just a plate of well-seasoned, finely sliced tomatoes. Just a drizzle of oil and a few basil leaves. Paradise on a plate.

[ChrisG]

Oh yeah - the tomatoes! One of the most popular starter dishes in late summer was just a plate of well-seasoned, finely sliced tomatoes. Just a drizzle of oil and a few basil leaves. Paradise on a plate.

We often do the same dish for breakfast, with the addition of a drizzle of good quality balsamic vinegar

[GordonvaleClaret]

My oranges ripening nicely, guarded by my cat.

I grow grapefruits, limes, pineapples, papayas and bananas quite successfully but I've been growing oranges for about 10 years without success.
My neighbour's look similar to Bullabill's, but mine remain green, so every year they've just gone in the compost.
A couple of months ago I googled "why are my oranges green".
Surprisingly, google informed me green oranges are good and gave a technical reason for them not turning orange.
So I picked a couple and gave them a try.
They are delicious, both to eat and juice. The latter going great with vodka!

[willsclarets]

I know the pain of what you describe Rowls. One solution is to throw money at it. Very rarely, if ever, have I had a dry or tasteless orange in any variety from M&S. Snobbish? Elitist? Perhaps. But you very much get what you pay for in this situation.

The peace of mind you get just looking at them in the bag is immense. Vibrant colours, reassuringly uniform size.

[helmclaret]

Few things in life are as disspiriting and dissatisfying as a dry and tasteless citrus fruit.

Previously they were only available for a month or two around Christmastime and were delicious and juicey. Nowadays satsumas, clementines and tangerines are universally awful. They've been bred for looks and longevity over taste and texture.

Next thing you know, the supermarkets have rebranded them as "easy peelers" meaning they're harder to correctly identify.

Whoever endured a dried up and watery fruit but thought, "Oh well, at least it peeled easily." Nobody, that's who.

Make sure you shop by variety! The big sign may or may not call them "Easy Peelers" but the individual label will tell you the exact variety.

I'm making a list of good small citrus fruits to avoid the dry and watery abominations. So far, there are two modern varieties I've found that can actually be tasty:

Nadorcott - these were in season a month or two ago. They're often reduced in Tesco and have a great taste. One or two were a bit drier than I'd like but they do at least taste nice.

Mihowase - These are available in Tesco in Padiham right now. They're yellowish but don't let that put you off. They're extremely juicey. Flavour-wise, a little tarter than the sweetest but it's a nice full flavour. Tesco are being cheeky and they're priced properly only if you have a loyalty card. If you don't they're over-priced.

Yet another Brexit dividend unfortunately. But I guess this is what you wanted.

[Rowls]

Yet another Brexit dividend unfortunately. But I guess this is what you wanted.

Nothing of the sort, off topic and also a banned topic, helm, my dear old friend.

[dougcollins]

Nothing of the sort, off topic and also a banned topic, helm, my dear old friend.

Indeed.

But it is the correct reason.

[kentonclaret]

A very interesting thread.

I used to enjoy pink grapefruit but for the past few years stores only seem to sell the white and red varieties. Some stores do not even sell the white variety.

[Middle-agedClaret]

Agreed - a very interesting thread.
The point about seasonality is well made.

[Sarum]

BTW If anybody ever spots any blood oranges for sale -anywhere- please post here and let me know. Ta very much!

Not sure where you'll find them in East Lancashire, but there's a good chance they'd have them you'd find them (when in season) at Waitrose (Preston, Manchester for example).

Here in the south, Waitrose branches usually stock them from the beginning of the season (which can be as early as the first week in January some years) through to the end of April, sometimes Mid-may.

They're often sold in bags of 5 for around 3 quid, or on special 2 bags for half again, roughly. Waitrose used to label them correctly as "blood oranges" but this year the same oranges were labelled "blush", but it's just a name change for marketing I guess, because their "blush oranges" are actually Moro, Tarocco (both from Italy) and Sanguinello (Spain), the 3 most commonly available blood orange.

They're a staple here, almost always for juice, rather than eating.

https://imgur.com/a/Zmoge8J

[Casper2]

Grapes are often disappointing, and don’t get me started on Jersey Royals , they used to have a unique flavour but now they are covered with plastic in the fields instead of seaweed off the beach , health and safety gone mad.

[ClaretPete001]

The supermarkets in France are dominated by Fish and Meat sections and are pretty superb as are the local markets. In the UK, it is frozen, sweets, bisuits, crisps, alcohol and alcohol on one side of the aisle and tins on the other judging by my local Tesco. Decent Veg section but no fresh Fish to speak of and no butchery.

I think being the first country to industrialise has it's benefits for those few how benefitted from it, but it cost us our relationship with nature.

Apologies, I accept I would be a better human being if I could talk about me plums and tomatoes without first thinking of a cheesy joke (literally) and then some political explanation for whatever it is I'm going to say.

So, yes the biggest problem I have with the plums is they are very itchy in hot weather...! And that is the limit of my fruit conversation.

[HunterST_BFC]

Anyone see fresh Goosberries for sale?

[ants_g]

Not sure where you'll find them in East Lancashire, but there's a good chance they'd have them you'd find them (when in season) at Waitrose (Preston, Manchester for example).

Here in the south, Waitrose branches usually stock them from the beginning of the season (which can be as early as the first week in January some years) through to the end of April, sometimes Mid-may.

They're often sold in bags of 5 for around 3 quid, or on special 2 bags for half again, roughly. Waitrose used to label them correctly as "blood oranges" but this year the same oranges were labelled "blush", but it's just a name change for marketing I guess, because their "blush oranges" are actually Moro, Tarocco (both from Italy) and Sanguinello (Spain), the 3 most commonly available blood orange.

They're a staple here, almost always for juice, rather than eating.

https://imgur.com/a/Zmoge8J

We sell them at Booths, in season. Booths and Waitrose have a buyer's agreement so often sell the same products but with their own labels on.

[Garnerssoap]

Great thread. Most supermarket oranges have minimal vit c due to modern storage methods that mean they can have been picked over a year previously.
A shout out for the whole orange juicer at booths though especially if you have a hangover or a cold. Found one in a Lidl in Cornwall once - happiest time of my life.
English cherry tomatoes on clitheroe market deserve a special mention.

[LeadBelly]

Grapes are often disappointing, and don’t get me started on Jersey Royals , they used to have a unique flavour but now they are covered with plastic in the fields instead of seaweed off the beach , health and safety gone mad.

Had my first J Royals of the season the other week & agreed they've lost some of their unique flavour in the past few years, still v nice though.
Local asparagus is also in season now and still a great treat (despite me being in the 50% or so with the "odour effect")
Strawberries are currently still mostly flavoursome too down here in Hants.
It'll be quite a while yet but the other UK speciality local fruit season I really look forward to is autumn russet apples

[kentonclaret]

Yes, I blame those Jersey farmers for no longer being able to grow a half decent spud.
Nothing to do with a reduction in the number and effectiveness of my taste buds now that I have reached the age of 75.
That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.