[SoftTalker]

FWIW, "navel" oranges are grown for eating, not for juice. People prefer them because they are easy to peel and they don't have seeds.

Juice oranges have a tougher, thinner rind that doesn't peel easily, and they have seeds. But they have better taste and more juice than navel oranges.

[lightedman]

"FWIW, "navel" oranges are grown for eating, not for juice."

I'd beg to differ - navel oranges produce the smoother flavor and are what get used in making Tropicana. Always has been that way.

[defterGoose]

I'll pick a bone on the flavor comment because a good Washington Navel is probably one of the best tasting oranges in existence.

[SoftTalker]

I guess it might depend on the variety then. I've had navel oranges that were almost like damp cellulose to eat. Very little juice or flavor.

[defterGoose]

You got a bad/dry one. Happens all the time with home grown and less frequently with commercial products. My backyard trees have improved, but only with fairly intensive upkeep.

The flavor coming right off the tree can be truly candy-like given optimal conditions. After tasting the best ones from my own tree, I had the revelation that so many things that are "orange flavored" are mimicking navels specifically.