Candles still hold value as a secondary or tertiary light source in emergencies, even though modern LED lights with rechargeable batteries far outperform them in every practical way—size, weight, brightness, reusability, durability, safety, and cost. However, one key advantage candles still have is their simplicity: anyone can make a basic one with minimal tools and materials.
A recent viral meme suggested that you could turn an ordinary orange into a candle. Curious to see if it was true, we decided to test it ourselves and determine whether it’s actually useful in an emergency.
**The bottom line**: Yes, it works—but it’s a fussy process with limited practicality.
### A Clockwork Orange
So why does an orange work as a candle, but not an apple or banana? It all comes down to the structure of the fruit. The core, or **pith**, acts as a natural wick. The juicy part we eat is the **endocarp**, made up of segments called **carpels**. The outer layer, known as the **rind**, has two parts: the thin, aromatic **exocarp** (the zest) and the white, spongy **mesocarp** beneath it.
To turn an orange into a candle, you need to remove the endocarp while keeping the pith and rind intact. The pith serves as the wick, and the rind holds the oil. Here's how to do it:
1. Use a very sharp knife to slice around the center of the orange, parallel to the stem—without cutting through the fruit.
2. Gently separate the rind from the endocarp using your thumb.
3. Carefully pull the halves apart, making sure not to damage the pith.
4. Scoop out the remaining pulp, leaving the pith and rind untouched.
This process takes some practice, and getting it right might take a few tries.
### Lighting the Orange Candle
Once the orange is prepared, fill it with oil—olive oil works well—and light the pith. To stabilize the fruit, place it in a small dish like a ramekin. Pour the oil directly over the wick so it soaks in. Light it with a match, lighter, or long match for safety.
We recommend using long matches for this task. Two great options are:
- **PBL Matches Strike Almost Anywhere**: Durable, affordable, and easy to use.
- **Diamond Long Reach**: Offers a strong flame and consistent burn.
You can also cut a small hole in the top of the second half of the orange to act as a wind shield.
### Orange You Glad to Have a Flashlight?
While turning an orange into a candle is a fun and creative idea, it’s not practical for real emergencies. It requires sharp tools, fresh oranges, and oil, and it’s not something you’d want to do in the dark. Plus, it doesn’t smell great—it smells more like burning rope than citrus.
In short, this is more of a novelty than a reliable backup. For actual emergency lighting, flashlights, headlamps, or traditional candles are much better choices. Still, it’s a cool trick to know, just in case you ever find yourself in a pinch with nothing else on hand.
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