Bright, Bold, and Beneficial: Why Blood Oranges are a Must-Try

A close up image of bright and whole blood oranges, with vibrant green leaves and halves of juicy red blood oranges intermixed.

Blood oranges take you by surprise every time you cut one open. Beneath their sunlit peel lies a vibrant flesh that can range from pure crimson to streaks of red and orange, making each one a little mystery, an expression of nature’s artistry. But blood oranges are more than just a striking visual treat—they’re a culinary marvel packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and a flavor that transforms both sweet and savory dishes into something extraordinary.

Blood oranges get their color from pigments called anthocyanins that help the fruit endure environmental stress. The color variations you see are the result of temperature fluctuations. On the same tree, an individual fruit that catches more of a chill will have a darker color than one protected by leaves. Each fruit is unique, and that’s what makes them fun to eat out of hand or use in recipes and drinks. There are endless ideas for how to use their dramatic color and flavor. Here are a few to get you started:

  • Toss them into a salad with roasted beets and spicy arugula and drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette.

  • Add their juice to risotto to create a beautiful blushed rice with citrus highlights.

  • Juice them and add a festive splash to a glass of Prosecco.

  • Chef Becky also uses them in our Blood Orange and Strawberry Marmalade a bright, beautiful combination of sweet and tart.

Blood orange varieties at the farm

A close up image of several blood orange slices that vary in colors of vibrant yellows to deep burgandy.

Farmer Al introduced blood oranges to Frog Hollow Farm in 1994. At the time, the farm was already well-known for its exceptional stone fruit, but Farmer Al wanted to diversify. His curiosity and passion for exploring unique varieties led him to try something new. Today, Frog Hollow proudly cultivates three distinct varieties of blood oranges, each with its own unique character:

  • Tarocco Blood Orange - 

    Our Tarocco blood oranges have a bright, sparkling sweetness and are wonderfully juicy. Their distinctive flesh can range from orange with streaks of pink to the deep red color blood oranges are known for. Their succulent flesh is at the same time bright and rich, with flavor notes of raspberry. 

  • Moro Blood Orange - 

    Compared to the earlier Tarocco variety of blood orange, Moro blood oranges have a deep red flesh with bold color throughout each segment. The Moro's blushed exterior hints at the beautiful, deep crimson flesh hiding on the inside. They offer a distinct sweet flesh with a vivid flavor.

  • Sanguinelli Blood Oranges

    The Sanguinelli blood orange delights with its sweet citrus flavor, balanced by notes of cherry and raspberry. Its striking red and orange streaks are shaped by temperature fluctuations, making each year’s harvest unique. Cold temperatures deepen its rind and flesh from pale orange to rich burgundy, while the contrast of warm days and cool nights enhances the vibrant streaking that sets this variety apart.

The health benefits of blood oranges

Blood oranges are a powerhouse of nutrition, rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins—potent antioxidants that provide a wide range of health benefits. These nutrients have been found to protect against certain cancers, enhance insulin production, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and improve circulation, as referenced in The Land Where Lemons Grow. Additionally, Red Orange Complex (ROC), an extract derived from blood orange varieties grown at Frog Hollow, has been shown to boost resistance to pollution-related conditions such as asthma, chest infections, and cardiovascular disease, making blood oranges as healthful as they are delicious.

Whether you savor their vibrant flavor, admire their stunning hues, or embrace their impressive health benefits, blood oranges are a true gift from nature—bursting with beauty, nutrition, and culinary inspiration this season.

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