Oranges are one of the most popular citrus fruits around the world. Their sweet, tangy juice is a refreshing and healthy drink. But how much juice can you expect to get from an orange? The amount of juice inside an orange can vary quite a bit depending on the size and type of orange.
What Determines How Much Juice is in an Orange?
There are several factors that affect how much juice you can get from an individual orange:
- Size – Larger oranges generally contain more juice than smaller ones. The biggest factor is simply that larger fruit have more flesh and pulp.
- Variety – Some orange varieties are naturally juicier than others. Valencia, navel, and blood oranges tend to be very juicy.
- Growing conditions – Oranges grown in ideal warm climates tend to be juicier than those grown in suboptimal conditions.
- Ripeness – Fully ripe oranges have the most juice. Underripe oranges can be dry and lack juices.
- Juicing method – The type of juicer used and juicing technique can impact measured juice yield.
So if you want maximum orange juice, select large, ripe juicing oranges at peak ripeness. But on average, how much juice can you expect from a typical large orange?
Juice Yield from Large Oranges
Let’s take a look at the average juice yield from a large orange approximately 3-3.75″ diameter:
| Orange Size | Average Juice Yield |
|---|---|
| Large orange (3-3.75″ diameter) | 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice (80-118 ml) |
On average, one large orange will produce between 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice. That equals between 80-118 ml of juice.
This takes into account natural variability in size, variety, and ripeness. But in general you can expect around 1/3 to 1/2 cup (80-118 ml) from squeezing one large orange. Lets explore further how orange size influences juice yield.
Juice Yield by Orange Size
In general, the larger an orange is the more juice it will produce:
| Orange Size | Average Juice Yield |
|---|---|
| Small orange (2.5″ diameter) | around 1/4 cup juice (60 ml) |
| Medium orange (3″ diameter) | 1/4 to 1/3 cup juice (60-80 ml) |
| Large orange (3-3.75″ diameter) | 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice (80-118 ml) |
| Extra large orange (over 4″ diameter) | 1/2 to 2/3 cup juice (118-160 ml) |
As you can see, a small 2.5″ orange yields around 1/4 cup or 60 ml of juice. Medium oranges produce 1/4 to 1/3 cup of juice. And large oranges can yield up to 1/2 cup or 118 ml of delicious fresh squeezed juice.
How Many Medium Oranges Equal a Large Orange?
If you don’t have any large oranges, how many medium oranges would you need to equal the juice of a large orange? Lets compare:
| Orange Size | Average Juice Yield |
|---|---|
| 1 Large Orange | 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice (80-118 ml) |
| 2 Medium Oranges | 1/2 to 2/3 cup juice (120-160 ml) |
Two medium oranges with an average yield of 1/4 to 1/3 cup (60-80 ml) juice each will equal the same juice yield as a single large orange.
So if you need the juice of 1 large orange, squeezing 2 medium oranges will give you an equal amount of fresh squeezed juice.
Comparing Juice of Different Orange Types
Not all oranges are equal when it comes to juice content. Here is how juice yields compare between some different types of oranges:
| Orange Variety | Juice Notes |
|---|---|
| Navel oranges | Typically thick juiced and high yielding |
| Valencia oranges | Very juicy and high juice content |
| Blood oranges | Juicy like valencias with a beautiful red color |
| Cara cara oranges | Low acid and moderately juicy |
| Mandarin oranges | Often smaller and lower yielding than regular oranges |
Navel, valencia, and blood oranges are all typically very high yielding when juiced. Mandarin oranges tend to be smaller with a bit lower juice content.
Increase Juice Yield from Oranges
Here are some tips to help maximize the amount of juice you can get from oranges:
- Select larger sized fruit. The biggest oranges tend to produce the most juice.
- Pick fully ripe, mature oranges with brightly colored peel. Ripe oranges are juicier.
- Roll the orange before juicing. This helps break up pulp and membranes.
- Use a masticating/cold press juicer. They extract more juice than centrifugal models.
- Squeeze the peels by hand after juicing. There’s extra juice inside.
Using these tips can help boost the juice yield from each orange by 15% or more.
Typical Nutrition Facts for Orange Juice
Fresh squeezed orange juice is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here are some typical nutrition facts for 100% orange juice (1 cup):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 112 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Sugars | 21g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5g |
| Vitamin C | 124mg |
| Potassium | 496mg |
Orange juice is packed with vitamin C and potassium. It also provides a range of antioxidants like hesperidin, carotenoids, and flavonoids that can help support overall health.
Storing and Using Orange Juice
To retain the flavor and nutrients in orange juice, it’s best to drink it fresh. Here are some storage tips:
- Drink fresh juice immediately for best quality and taste.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Freeze extra juice in ice cube trays or jars up to 6 months.
- Water down juice before freezing to prevent expansion.
Some delicious ways to use orange juice:
- Drink a glass of orange juice at breakfast
- Make a fruit smoothie with orange juice, banana, and Greek yogurt
- Mix into cocktails, mocktails, or sangria
- Use in marinades and vinaigrettes for salads
- Drizzle over waffles, crepes, or ricotta pancakes
Conclusion
On average, you can expect to yield between 1/3 to 1/2 cup (80-118 ml) of juice from squeezing one large orange. Larger oranges and certain juicy varieties like navels and valencias will produce at the higher end of that range. To maximize your orange juice yield, select ripe, firm oranges and use a masticating juicer. Enjoy fresh orange juice right away to get the most flavor, nutrients, and health benefits.
