I have recently become interested in Cara cara oranges. I have never seen these oranges in stores around here, so I have no clue what they taste like. How does the taste differ compared to regular navel oranges?

I've eaten Cara Cara's that almost had a fruit punch quality to them. I would have to say, a good Cara MAY be the best Citrus I've eaten.

I'm too curious... I just ordered a cara cara navel orange tree!

This is by far one of the best citrus I have eaten. Yeah like a sweetness like punch with pink flesh and size about the same as ordinary navels.

I'm still curious to what it actually tasts like. Can it be compared with anything, like red grapefruit for instance?

It taste more like Washington Navel than anything I can describe. The only thing I don't like is that it that the fruit don't hang on the tree long after it gets ripe like some varieties do. Still a good fruit. My favorite is the one I am trying to get not one that I have.

I agree...think of the sweetest Washington Navel that you have eaten and you will get a good idea of what a Cara Cara tastes like. They also mature a bit earlier than Washington Navel, which is good for climates with cooler winters.

My Cara Cara is my wife's favorite tree. As above taste like a very sweet Washington navel. Anyone that I give some to always comes back asking for more.

Terry

Sounds promising... although I must say I prefer oranges thar are a little acid, not just sweet sweet...

You won't like cara if you want some acid in there.
Check out this article
http://www.wncitrus.com/pdfs/WNINC%20Cara%20Cara%20Navel.pdf

Odd...

"Citrus pages" says...
http://users.kymp.net/citruspages/bloodoranges.html#caracara

Quote:

Cara Cara navel orange, a mutation that occurred on a Washington navel orange tree, was discovered in 1976 at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela. Most tree and fruit characteristics reflect its Washington navel orange ancestry, but the flesh is deep pink, similar to the darkest of the red grapefruit varieties. Rarely, the normally green-leafed trees will produce variegated-leafed twigs. These twigs, when left to grow and fruit, may produce fruits with striped rind. The degree of colouration is about the same as in Star Ruby grapefruit but more pink. It is due to lycopene as opposed to the anthocyanins of true blood oranges. The pulp is tender and the flavour is rich. Much of the acidity is retained even at the end of the season. As with grapefruit the colour can gradually become less intense as the season progresses.

Doesn't this mean there's some acidity present? Or am I misunderstanding this?

Anyway, it wouldn't mean I will not like the taste. Pink grapefruit isn't acid either, and I like it a lot!

I would not describe it as having an acid taste at all. I like it but I like tart acid tasting citrus also. I also like the variegated leaves and fruit that the variegated twigs produce. I grafted several Variegated trees and have good luck with them. Back to the taste it is very sweet and large grained, a great tree to add to any collection. Citrus pages does give a good description of it.

My cara cara arrived this morning. I ordered it from Agrumes Bachès in France (http://www.agrumes-baches.com/). It took a couple of days to arrive, but the plant was firmly packaged and in good shape!

Some pictures...

The box in which the plant arrived. The pot was firmly taped to the box and the plant was wrapped in a news paper...




The plant unpacked:


There are already a few fruits growing...


My collection of citrus plants is steadily growing and has (unfortunately) reached about the maximum I have room for. This is a picture of my current collection:


From left to right: Moro blood orange, some mandarin seedlings, blood clementine, some pink grapefruit seedlings, tahiti lime, meyer lemon, buddha's hand citron and the new cara cara navel orange.

Nice Marc, there is all ways room for just one more small plant. You are off to a good start and they look healthy. You will like the Cara Cara especially when you find a variegated limb on it.