What are sour oranges?
Sour oranges (also known as bitter oranges, Seville oranges or Bigarade oranges) are a type of citrus fruit grown globally. They are often used in Hispanic and some Mediterranean cooking, but in America are more commonly found in marmalade. Sour orange is the key flavor of Cuban mojo sauce– you can’t make it without it. Bitter oranges are not often consumed raw as their taste is so sour – typically they are used as an ingredient in something larger. They are often used for their juice.
Where can I find sour oranges?
If you live in a place that produces a lot of citrus fruits you may be able to find them in the grocery store. I have had exactly zero luck finding fresh ones in Colorado. However, you can often find bottles of sour orange marinade in the Hispanic section of your grocery store or in almost any Spanish market. Check the ingredients- they can vary widely but your best bet will be any one whose first ingredient is actually sour orange juice. While I can’t say that this is the absolute best option, the brand pictured below is the most common in my area, and what I typically use.
How can I substitute sour orange juice?
I definitely encourage you to try your hand at finding sour oranges or a sour orange marinade for the best flavor in your dish. But I also recognize from experience that this ingredient is tough to find in parts of the United States. If you absolutely can’t find any, you can make a reasonable substitute out of equal parts orange juice and lime juice. You can optionally add a splash of grapefruit juice as well.
Sour oranges vs. orange bitters
Sour oranges and bitter oranges are NOT the same thing as orange bitters. Orange bitters are a flavored tincture found in cocktail recipes; they can usually be purchased in liquor stores. The flavor is totally different from what you would be aiming for when using sour oranges in a recipe; additionally, orange bitters are so concentrated that using any more than a few drops in any recipe would be unpleasant indeed. Orange bitters are not a good substitute for sour orange juice.