By: Judy Davie - The Food Coach
 We're smack bang in the middle of citrus season - and what a zesty time it is! Australia's winter citrus is in its prime right now, and with so many varieties at their best - from tangy blood oranges to juicy mandarins - it's the perfect time to load up your fruit bowl and explore a little more with these flavour-packed fruits.
🍊 Navel Oranges
Let's start with the classic - the navel orange. Seedless, sweet, and incredibly juicy, navels are a reliable favourite for good reason.
Why they're good for you:
Rich in vitamin C (one orange can give you more than 100% of your daily needs), navel oranges support your immune system, boost collagen production, and help absorb iron from plant foods. They're also a great source of dietary fibre when eaten whole - fantastic for digestion and gut health.
What to do with them:
Add segments to winter salads with fennel, rocket, and toasted almonds
Use the zest in baked goods or dressings for a burst of natural citrus oil
Slice and roast with chicken or pork for a sticky, sweet glaze
🍊 Mandarins
Easy to peel, seedless varieties like Afourer and Imperial make mandarins the ultimate snack - portable, sweet, and kid-approved.
Why they're good for you:
Mandarins are loaded with antioxidants like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin - all good for eye health and reducing inflammation. They also contain a unique compound called hesperidin, known for supporting heart health and lowering blood pressure.
What to do with them:
Whizz into smoothies with spinach and banana
Make a quick marmalade or compote with a dash of ginger
Toss segments through couscous or grain salads with herbs and pistachios
🍊 Tangelos
A hybrid between a tangerine and a grapefruit, tangelos (like the Minneola variety) are sweet-tart, super juicy, and have that distinctive knob at the top.
Why they're good for you:
Tangelos are high in potassium - helpful for regulating blood pressure - and they also contain limonoids, natural plant compounds with anti-cancer properties. Their tangy taste can stimulate saliva production, which aids digestion.
What to do with them:
Use in citrus salad dressings or tangy marinades
Make a refreshing tangelo sorbet or granita
Add the juice to sparkling water for a homemade soft drink
🍊 Blood Oranges
Short-seasoned and highly prized, blood oranges have a vibrant ruby-red flesh and a complex flavour - somewhere between orange and raspberry.
Why they're good for you:
That deep colour comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants usually found in berries. These compounds are linked to reduced inflammation, better circulation, and even cognitive protection. Blood oranges are also lower in sugar than many other fruits, making them a great choice for those watching their intake.
What to do with them:
Make a stunning winter salad with blood orange, beetroot, and goat cheese
Reduce the juice for a tart syrup to drizzle over yoghurt or pancakes
Use slices to top upside-down cakes or citrus tarts
🍋 Bonus Citrus Tips
Store citrus at room temperature if eating within a few days - the flavour is better when they're not fridge-cold. For longer storage, pop them in the crisper drawer.
Don't throw out the peel! Citrus zest adds flavour to everything from soups and stews to biscuits and cocktails.
Juice and freeze in ice cube trays if you've got a glut - perfect for adding to dressings, sauces, or teas.
This citrus season, don't stop at snacking. Try something new - roast them, zest them, dress with them, or bake with them. With all the flavour, colour, and goodness they offer, citrus fruits are the perfect winter pick-me-up.
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