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    Home Β» When are Fruits & Vegetables in Season? Β» When are Cara Cara Navel Oranges in Season?

    When are Cara Cara Navel Oranges in Season?

    Published: Jan 19, 2016 Β· Modified: Jan 13, 2021 by Eric Samuelson

    Find out when you can find the Cara Cara orange - the Navel that is red on the inside.

    The words "When are Cara Cara Oranges" in season appear in a white circle in front of orangs laying on a counter top.

    I am such a foodie - particular a produce foodie that I can actually remember where I tasted many varieties of fruit.

    Circa December 2009. Fort Wayne, Indiana.

    My family and I were given free hotel tickets. We took a little weekend winter retreat around New Year's to Fort Wayne, Indiana. As I looked up local grocery store (again serious foodie problems here) to visit, I came across the Fresh Market. I have never been to or even heard of this store.

    I looked in their ad and saw an advertising for Cara Cara Navel oranges. Never heard of such a thing. My interest was certainly peaked and I couldn't wait to get to this store and check out this new to me variety.

    How could you not be excited for a navel orange that is red on the inside!

    An up close view of the red interior of a Cara Cara orange.
    Just look at the beautiful red interior of the Cara Cara. It's a sight to see!

    When in Season

    The first Cara Caras of the season show up right at the start of the California season in early December (sometimes even late November). I would not recommend buying the early ones. I find that the first ones always tend to be subpar in flavor and sweetness. Some growers rush to get them to the market and it shows.

    Later in the month and into January, the flavor should be there. The Cara Cara seasons runs into April, you may be able to find them into May as well.

    I have noticed in recent years that you will find them in the summer sometimes as well, imported from Southern Hemisphere countries (Australia, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa). I have never found any of these to be worth the money, quality is poor. I would stick to the domestic ones, unless you live in one of those countries.

    A display of Cara Cara oranges at a farmer's market with a sign that says simple amazing.
    If you live in a place that grows Cara Cara oranges, the farmer's market is where you need to be. I always hit them up when I am in California, especially during citrus season.

    What is the Difference

    When comparing a Cara Cara to a regular Navel, I tell people these two things about Cara Cara:

    • They are less acidic
    • They have a subtle berry undertone

    If the acidity in citrus is bothersome to you but you still want to partake I would start with Cara Cara and see how you do.

    Tips on Finding the Best Fruit

    While a good number of stores are carrying Cara Caras now, the quality isn't consistent, particularly the Sunkist brand. They are a big brand that gathers citrus from multiple farms, so quality isn't always the same. Same with the Cara Caras you find at Trader Joe's. They are all packed into their bag, but there is no way to know exactly what farm they came from.

    There are two companies that I find produce amazingly consistent and delicious Cara Caras. One is Ripe to You and the other is Cecelia.

    You typically need to go to the higher end grocery stores (but not always) to find these brands such as Whole Foods. Look at the PLU stickers before you buy.

    Also since they look just like regular navels it's important to sticker read so that you are sure that they didn't get mixed up by regular navels, whether by a careless worker or by customers putting things back where they don't go. A lot of companies may use pink in some form on their Cara Cara stickers. If you buy them in bags this is not an issue.

    Bags of Ceclia brand Cara Cara oranges.
    No brand of Cara Caras beats Cecelia. A bag like this one that I found at Whole Foods is a MUST BUY! I said it twice so I mean it.

    I also recommend to choose smaller fruit. Bigger isn't always better and sometimes the larger fruit ends up being more bland. Before you buy place the fruit in the palm of your hand. It should fell heavy for it's size - this is a good test of juiciness for any piece of citrus.

    If you happen to be in California during the winter months, find a nearby farmer's market. I have found some amazing Cara Cara at these markets. They blew my mind (and taste buds!). Most vendors are more than willingly to offer up a sample, so you can taste what your buying.

    A display at Costco with different boxes of Cara Cara oranges. The top says Pretty Belle and the bottom boxes are from Cecelia.
    I would recommend buying the Cecelia brand Cara Cara Pink Navel oranges if you see a box like this at Costco.

    Where to Buy

    Here are some stores where you should look for Cara Cara oranges at.

    • ALDI
    • Central Market
    • Costco
    • Fresh Market
    • H-E-B
    • Hy-Vee
    • Kroger
    • Meijer
    • Plum Market
    • Rainbow Grocery
    • Sam's Club
    • Sprouts
    • Trader Joe's
    • Walmart
    • Wegman's
    • Whole Foods Market

    βœ‹ Where do you find Cara Cara oranges? Leave a comment below.

    Other Varieties to Try

    Here are some other types of citrus you will want to try.

    • Satsuma Mandarins
    • Sumo Citrus
    • Ruby Tango Mandarins
    • Kishu Mandarins
    • Ojai Pixie Tangerines

    You may also want to check our post on California mandarin season.

    « One Reason We Don't Eat More Vegetables
    Sky Valley Oranges [at Trader Joe's] »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Larry

      August 07, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      Costco does carry them in season. At least in Tucson, AZ

    2. diane

      November 28, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      Never had a better orange ! Also at Walmart.

    3. Sharon Harris

      December 03, 2018 at 7:47 am

      My mother planted a tree from seed and we are thoroughly enjoying this delicious fruit !
      We didn't expect the red inside and weren't sure what kind of arms this was until I did some research and found out that we were the proud owners of a Cara Cara orange tree !

    4. Jack and Gail Bechtold

      January 03, 2019 at 8:29 am

      We have purchased Cara Cara oranges from Sam's Club for years. Rather than my contacting each store could the merchant contact us when they are in stock?

    5. Traci Lynn Graeser

      July 15, 2019 at 4:20 am

      Cant find them anywhere in Colorado

    6. Eric Samuelson

      July 15, 2019 at 11:46 am

      Not surprising. They are out of season from California now. You may see some imported from places like Chile or South Africa, but they usually aren't as good. I see those more often starting in August or so.

    7. Pat Dawydowych

      October 28, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      Looking forward to the new season of cara caras, our family's favorite orange. Here in the desert southwest, when our cara cara orange tree is depleted, we find them at Costco and Sprouts. We agree that oranges imported from the southern hemisphere are not as good. The long trip is hard on citrus. Nothing beats seasonal, and local is best of all.

    8. Nancy Murphy

      November 12, 2019 at 11:59 pm

      I 'discovered' Cara Cara oranges last year. I am now addicted. I eat 4 to 5 a day when I can find them. Nothing better, very sweet and low in acid.

    9. Eric Samuelson

      November 13, 2019 at 6:11 am

      I am glad that you have discovered Cara Cara. Nothing beats a good one.

    10. Annemarie

      December 12, 2019 at 10:09 am

      Found them at Wal-Mart and slide in maryland. Can't wait for the season to start!

    11. M W

      March 01, 2021 at 5:46 pm

      Do you happen to know how to properly pronounce it?? I have heard both "Care-Uh" and "Car-Uh". I searched the internet but can't seem to find it!

    12. Eric Samuelson

      March 03, 2021 at 10:25 am

      That is a very good question. I don't know either. I have always said "Care-Uh" myself. So that probably means it should be "Car-Uh".

    13. Kris

      April 20, 2022 at 5:35 pm

      I find them at Costco and Sams club, in South Florida

    14. Eric Samuelson

      April 22, 2022 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks for sharing.

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    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

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