We've all had oranges before. You are most probably peeling it with your fingers or biting straight into it, however, not William Hanson.
Hanson, following his popular etiquette advice on how to eat peas and bananas correctly, now decided to walk his viewers through a formal technique for handling one of the most common fruits on the planet: orange.
“First of all, you need a very sharp knife and fork,” Hanson begins, demonstrating on a whole orange. He then slices off the orange's stem before turning it over onto the opposite end. The next part of the video is like "cutting a cake." He shows how to slice and score down the skin, creating a single orange wedge. This step is repeated for the entire orange.
After that, he slips the knife under the orange skin to score and cut away the orange peel. And to finish, he pulls the orange peel back to expose the orange inside. Once exposed, cut off the orange section still attached to the base, insert the fork into the orange slice, remove it, and eat. The slices can be lifted easily from the peel without any juice dripping down your chin or getting onto the table.
Viewers had plenty to say about this new fruit etiquette trend, and reactions ranged from amused to inquisitive. One commenter joked, “How to elegantly react when juice splashes into the eye?” Another quipped, “Who would serve oranges at a formal dinner?"
Some took Hanson’s advice more seriously, worrying about the wasted food that comes from the top of the orange that was cut off. Others pointed out that oranges are meant to be peeled quickly and easily, and that this process would complicate and take much more time.
Still more questioned the practicality of using utensils for something most people regularly eat with their hands. Many voiced that this was actually complicating the entire orange-peeling process.
Despite the mixed responses, Hanson’s clip has sparked a broader conversation about table manners and whether every food (even fruit) deserves its own code of conduct.
Why etiquette applies to fruit
To many viewers, using a knife and fork for an orange feels excessive. But etiquette rules around fruit developed for a reason.
Historically, whole fruits like apples and plums were often served as part of multi-course meals in upper-class settings. Fruit was presented whole and expected to be eaten neatly, without disrupting conversation or making a mess.
Citrus fruits pose a challenge because of their juice and sticky nature. The utensil method is used to reduce splatter and the need to wipe hands mid-meal.
It is important to remember that manners should make people feel comfortable, not anxious. If peeling an orange by hand helps you enjoy it more, that’s perfectly acceptable in most situations. You can also note how an orange is served, as that signals how it should be eaten. A whole orange placed on a plate with cutlery suggests utensil use, while already peeled oranges indicate casual handling. Reading these cues helps navigate unfamiliar settings without needing explicit instructions.
A simpler way to eat an orange at home
The truth is that most people won’t whip out a knife and fork every time they want to eat an orange. It’s far more common to peel and break into segments by hand or even enjoy pre-peeled slices on the go.
At breakfast, many people peel and eat because that’s part of the fruit’s charm. And for those concerned about sticky hands, grabbing a napkin usually does the trick without worrying about cutlery or table etiquette.
The essential rule most commenters agreed on is easy: enjoy your orange however you like without stressing too much about “proper” technique.
Whether you reach for a knife and fork or peel and eat, the best approach is understanding when etiquette matters and when it’s okay to keep things simple.
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