The color orange is so bright and vibrant that it’s easy to associate the hue with feelings of happiness, relaxation, and even optimism. From oranges to carrots, there are many foods that come in this eye-catching shade.
I hope this article will provide you with a list of orange foods that you can use in your cooking and baking.
What Makes Foods Orange?
Beta Carotene
Beta carotene is a type of carotenoid, which is a pigment that gives some foods their orange color. It’s a precursor to vitamin A, which is important for good vision, healthy skin, and the immune system.
Beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A by the body when it needs it. This conversion happens more easily when people consume enough fat with their food.
Xanthophylls
Xanthophylls are the pigments that give fruits and vegetables their orange color. They are also responsible for the yellow colors of corn, egg yolks, and wheat.
Xanthophylls are found in many plant leaves that have a high amount of carotenoids. They are also found in other types of plants like flowers, seeds, and roots.
The List: 33 Orange Foods
1. Annatto
Annatto is a plant that has been used as a natural food coloring and flavoring agent for centuries. It is native to the Americas and was used by the Aztecs to color foods such as cheese, eggs, and butter.
The annatto plant grows up to 3 meters tall and produces small yellow flowers. The fruit of the plant is orange in color and contains seeds from which annatto oil can be extracted.
2. Apricot
Apricot is a fruit that has a color similar to an orange. Apricots are usually eaten raw and can also be baked, boiled, or made into jam.
It is also a fuzzy fruit that has a sweet taste. Apricots are an important part of the traditional culture in many countries, including China, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
3. Bell Pepper
Bell peppers are a type of sweet pepper that comes in a variety of colors. They have a mild flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.
The color of bell peppers is determined by the amount of a chemical called beta-carotene in the skin. Red bell peppers have more beta-carotene than green or yellow ones.
There are many ways to prepare bell peppers, but they are most often used in salads, as an ingredient in other dishes, or as a side dish.
4. Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a type of winter squash that is popular in the United States. It has an orange color and a sweet flavor that makes it a favorite for many people.
5. Calendula
Calendula is a plant with an orange color. It is also known as pot marigold, garden marigold, and common calendula. It is native to Europe but can be found in other places around the world. It has been used for centuries in the treatment of wounds and skin conditions.
The orange color of calendula can be attributed to high levels of beta-carotene, which is why it has been used in traditional cooking for centuries.
6. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a type of melon that is orange in color. It is a popular fruit in the United States and other countries. Cantaloupe has a sweet taste and it can be eaten as a dessert or as part of breakfast. Cantaloupe is a type of melon that is orange in color. It is a popular fruit in the United States and other countries. Cantaloupe has a sweet taste and it can be eaten as a dessert or as part of breakfast.
7. Cape Gooseberry
Cape Gooseberry is a native bush of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. It is also grown as an ornamental plant.
The Cape Gooseberry has a pear-shaped fruit that varies from orange to yellow in color. The fruit has a tart, citrus flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.
8. Carrots
Carrots are a root vegetable that is orange in color. The carrot’s orange color comes from beta-carotene which is a plant pigment that gives them their vibrant hue.
Carrots are often boiled, fried, or eaten raw. Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked and can be used as a healthy snack.
9. Chanterelle mushrooms
Chanterelle mushrooms are known for their bright orange color, which makes them stand out in the forest. However, it is not just their color that makes them popular. They also have a unique texture, which can be enjoyed with different dishes such as soups and sautés.
10. Cherry tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are popular produces in the United States. They are red, round, and come in packs of six. They have a sweet taste that is often enjoyed as part of salads or sandwiches.
Cherry tomatoes are also known for their orange color and they can be found in cans, jars, or plastic bags.
11. Clementines
Clementines are a type of orange-colored citrus fruit. They are the world’s most widely cultivated kind of citrus fruit and have a very thin, edible peel.
Clementines come in many varieties including clementines, mandarin clementines, tangerine clementines, tangelos, and grapefruit clementines.
Clementines are typically eaten whole or in pieces as part of a salad or fruit bowl. Some people like to add them to cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt for breakfast. They can also be used for cooking and baking as they add a slightly sour taste to dishes that are often desired.
12. Crab roe
Crab roe, or surimi in Japanese, is a delicacy that can be found at most sushi restaurants. It consists of the meat from the crab and its eggs mixed together with spices and boiled in water before being dried out with salt or sugar. This gives it an intense orange color which makes it look like a jewel when served on rice.
13. Curry powder
Curry powder is a mixture of spices and herbs that are used in various dishes of Indian cuisine. It has a unique orange color that makes it stand out from other spices.
Curry powder has many uses in the kitchen. It can be used as a marinade for meat or vegetables, as a seasoning for rice or vegetables, and even as an ingredient in desserts such as cakes and cookies.
14. Dalandan
Dalandan is a type of fruit that is native to the Indian subcontinent. The fruit itself has two parts, the outer skin, and the inner flesh. It can be eaten raw as well as cooked and typically comes in orange color. Dalandan is also known by its other names like tandoori mandarin, mandarin orange, or tangerine.
15. Duck sauce
Duck sauce is a condiment that is popular in Chinese cuisine.
Duck sauce, also known as “duck blood sauce”, is a type of dipping sauce that can be found in Chinese cuisine. It consists of a combination of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and various combinations of garlic, ginger, scallions, black pepper, and other spices. The color of the duck sauce is orange.
16. Dutch Mimolette
Dutch Mimolette is a type of cheese that is traditionally made from cow’s milk. It has a smooth and creamy texture and orange color.
The color comes from annatto seed (also known as bixin) which gives it its distinctive orange color.
17. Gấc
Gấc is a very popular Vietnamese dessert that has a unique orange color, which makes it visually appealing. It is often served in bowls, but sometimes it can be eaten with ice on top of the dish. The mung beans are cooked for hours to soften them and make them soft and creamy when mixed with sugar.
18. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is an orange-colored fruit that is in the citrus family. It is a hybrid between pomelo and mandarin orange and has been cultivated for at least 2000 years. It is very juicy with a tangy flavor that makes it perfect for breakfast, snacks, desserts, or even cocktails.
19. Mamey apple
The Mamey apple is also known as the world’s most beautiful fruit because of its unique shape and color. The shape resembles a pear but it has a very thick, fleshy, green skin with an orange color on the inside. The Mamey apple can be eaten fresh or dried and it can also be used to make juice or jelly.
20. Mangoes
Mangoes are sweet and juicy with an orange color that makes them look like they have been dipped in paint. This makes it easy to identify them as mangos even when they’re not perfectly ripe.
Mangoes grow on a tree that has large leaves which can reach up to 10 meters wide and 30 meters long. The tree is found mainly in India, Southeast Asia, and South America.
21. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are popular flowers in gardens because of their vibrant colors and interesting shapes. They come in many different colors, but the most common are: orange, yellow, red, or purple. The flowers also have a long-lasting scent that some people find pleasant while others find it too strong.
22. Oranges
Oranges are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They have a wide variety of uses and they come in a variety of colors.
The orange color is one of the most popular colors in the world.
23. Papaya
Papaya is a fruit that has a soft orange color that is sometimes mistaken for an orange. It is mostly grown in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, but it can also be found in other tropical regions of the world.
The papaya plant can grow to be up to 10 feet tall and produces papayas that are ripe when they turn red or yellow on the outside. The skin of the fruit is edible while the inside papaya seeds are not.
24. Peaches
Peaches are a fruit that is commonly found in the United States. They have a color that ranges from light yellow to deep orange.
Peaches are most often eaten for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack. They can be used in salads and desserts, or they can be eaten raw as part of a fruit salad.
25. Persimmon
The persimmon is a type of fruit that is orange in color. It has a sweet taste and is often eaten as a dessert.
26. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a fruit that has been cultivated for thousands of years. It belongs to the squash family and has an orange color.
27. Salmon roe
Salmon roe is a delicacy in many parts of the world. It is a popular ingredient in sushi and sashimi. The roe is also used as a topping for various dishes, such as pizza, pasta, and salads.
The color of salmon roe ranges from light pink to dark orange. The color depends on the species of salmon and the diet that it eats before it spawns.
28. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable that is orange in color. They are often confused with yams, which are also orange but have a different texture and taste. Sweet potatoes can be boiled, baked, or fried and they can be mashed or roasted to make sweet potato fries.
29. Tamarillo
Tamarillo is a fruit that is native to South America. It has a sweet and tangy flavor. Tamarillo is also known as the tree tomato, tree tomato fruit, or simply tamarillo.
The tamarillo plant can grow up to 10 meters in height and it has a long life span of up to 20 years. The tamarillo plant produces an edible fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked.
30. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that is used in many dishes. It has a bright orange color and is often used to add flavor to food.
Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It has been used for centuries in India and other Asian countries as a natural remedy for various ailments. The bright orange color of turmeric comes from its active ingredient, curcumin, which gives it its distinctive flavor and aroma.
Turmeric can be found in many dishes around the world, but it is most commonly associated with Indian cuisine. It can be found in curries, rice dishes, and even desserts like halva or kulfi.
31. Ugli fruit
Ugli fruit is a type of fruit that is orange in color. It is also known as the ugly fruit.
The ugli fruit has rough skin and it is not very attractive to look at. However, it tastes great and has many health benefits.
32. Uni
Uni is a type of sea urchin that is often served in sushi. It has an orange color and can be found in the ocean. Uni can be eaten raw or cooked, and it has a creamy texture with a sweet taste.
33. Watermelon
The watermelon is a fruit that is very rich in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene. It also contains a lot of water which makes it an excellent choice for those who are looking to stay hydrated.
Watermelon is a fruit that has a round shape. It is typically eaten raw, but can also be cooked in water or added to salads. The flesh of the watermelon is mostly made up of water, which makes it very refreshing.
The most common color of the watermelon is red, but they are also orange.