No Blue Without Orange

Vincent Van Gogh- who knew a thing or two about color- said "There is no blue without yellow and without orange". Blue is my favorite color- it is sky and sea; it is freedom; it is cool and deep. And somewhere in there is orange. Another great artist the surrealist poet Paul Eluard wrote a poem that began: la terre est bleue comme une orange...the earth is blue like an orange. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense.

This morning I noticed the first buds in my heliconia. Heliconias should flower most of the year in tropical  climates, but in sub-tropical Karachi we only manage one flowering, around the end of March. The bud is quite special in itself- a pop of orange against acid green leaves. When the bud unfurls it it truly spectacular- a bird of vibrant orange and blue plumage.

Heliconia bud

I just love orange flowers in my garden. I had three beautiful flame of the forest trees outside my house until they had to be chopped down to placate DHA (long sob story). Flame trees (delonix regia) are so evocative of Karachi, and somehow imbued with the essence of Karachi- the hotter it gets the more they bloom and the more intensely orange they become. But I have a few shrubs that look like mini flame trees.

Dwarf poinciana

A few sprigs of these orange flowers in a little glass perk up any corner of the house that is feeling unloved. I have recently planted an African tulip tree, which has suddenly burst into bloom- right outside my bathroom window- a wonderful shower-time treat. But my most favourite orange flowers of all are nasturtiums. Unfortunately, in Karachi they are seasonal, but are currently at their peak, perfuming the air with their tart pepperiness! I love them in salads, and can't decide if its for their flavor or the zingy pop of color and pretty they bring to a bowl of greens J

Speaking of culinary pleasures, we usually have grapefruit juice in the morning, but this morning had freshly-squeezed blood orange juice. It was heavenly, the colour more reminiscent of falsa than orange. When we were younger we would always have kinnoo juice with a dash of black pepper to bring out the sweetness, but now I seem to prefer maltas. (Isn't it lovely how there in no generic one word for oranges in Urdu- we have kinnoos, maltas, mausumbis...) 

when you see an orange can you not just smell it in your head? 

Oranges are of course not native to Karachi, and we don’t grow any that we can eat or make into marmalade. (Although check out these super cute but incredibly tart mini ones growing in my garden- must find a use for them). 

maybe kumquats?

Yet, I can’t imagine a Karachi summer from my childhood without Jet Sport- those amazingly synthetic yet delightful orange lollies we all grew up with. (Here’s a picture from last year with Qais and his friends enjoying Jet Sports – some things never change J). 

Just realized how much they have all grown since this picture!

Thoughts of childhood take me back to summers in Paris- sitting under umbrellas in a cafe, sipping Orangina. I can't believe we don't have Orangina in Karachi- need to talk to my supermarket! 

Orange peels, orange zest, orange blossoms...apparently it is impossible to think of an orange, to imagine holding it and peeling it without actually imagining its fragrance. Try it :) Have a wonderfully orange day, and leave me a comment!