Navelina

Navelina is an early season Navel orange. It has medium to medium-large fruit which are slightly pear-shaped. The navel is quite small, and the peel is very smooth with a good red-orange colouration. The flesh is quite juicy, while sweetness is good, though flavour not quite at the standard of Washington Navel.

The fruit mature very early, at least 2 weeks before Washington Navel.

Navelina is the first of the Navels to be available in the Spanish citrus season and, as such, offer consumers a decent alternative to end-of-season Valencia Lates from South Africa.

Good Fruit Guide Rating: ****

Names: Navelina; Dalmau; Smith’s Early

Origin: Smith’s Early was a budsport selection made at the Citrus Research Centre, Riverside, California in circa 1910. In 1933, Smith’s Early was sent to Spain where it was further selected and improved. It was released to nurseries in 1968, then, in 1990, under the name of Navelina, it was reintroduced to California, and to other citrus producing countries.

Grown in: California, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Australia

Harvest & Availability: Navelina harvest in Spain generally commences in mid-October when the fruit has internal maturity, though may need to be degreened to ensure good skin colour. Supplies to UK are generally from:

• January:
• February:
• March:
• April:
• May:
• June:
• July:
• August:
• September:
• October:
• November: Spain
• December: Spain

Websites:

• University of California, Riverside – Navelina