Cara Cara

Cara Cara is a special variety within the Sweet Orange group Navel, as the flesh of its fruits is pigmented. It was selected in 1976 at the Cara Cara Estate in Carabobo (Venezuela), from a bud mutation that occurred on a Washington Navel Orange tree. Its characteristic pink pigmentation is due to the presence of lycopene, which is responsible for pigmentation in fruits such as grapefruit, but not in Blood Oranges, which owe their pigmentation to the presence of anthocyanins. This pigmentation, along with its sweet flavor and low acidity, has contributed to its growing popularity in American markets.

Tree of medium vigor, with a rounded shape, lush foliage, and large thorns on the branches of greater vigor, which may also present leaves with winged petioles. Fruits of medium size and predominantly spherical morphology, with a small apical navel and long grooves that may mark the basal area. Slightly granular bark, intense orange in color when mature. Dark pink pulp, juicy and sweet. The presence of lycopenes gives its juice a more complex flavor than that of other oranges in the Navel group. It is seedless.

Attractive fruit with enough quality to be used both as table oranges and for juice production.