My (Litsa’s) daughter tried a blood orange for the first time this year after Ashley shared two that her husband had brought home from Wal-Mart. When my husband saw the picture of these blood oranges on my Facebook feed, he was elated!?! “You bought blood oranges?” Well…..
I juiced 1.5 blood ornages in my juice and Sophia ate the other half of the two that were shared with us! Yes! Blood oranges are hard to share once you find them! Thus, you’ll want to head to the store to look for blood oranges while they are still in season!
A Blood Orange is a dark orange to red citrus fruit that has been popular for many years in Europe and has gained in popularity elsewhere now too. The exterior of the orange is a rose-tinted orange color, although depending on the variety, it might be lighter or darker. The surprise comes when someone cuts open the orange to reveal its pink to dark crimson flesh.
There are three varieties of these oranges: the Tarocco, the Sanguinello and the Moro. Of these, the Tarocco has the greatest popularity in Europe and is grown primarily in Italy. It might not always have the darkest red coloring, however, and some resemble more traditional oranges. In taste, however, this variety is often considered superior to the other.
The Sanguinello is grown in Spain and is almost seedless. It tends to have a deeper red color. The Moro is most commonly grown in the United States and tends to have the darkest flesh. If a cook is really going for that deep crimson in juices or dishes prepared with a blood orange, the Moro might be the best choice.
Pigment Provides Darker Color
The coloring of a blood orange differs from a typical orange because it has an additional pigment called anthocyanin. This pigment can be found in purple and red flowers and other fruits. For example, the Fuji apple and other red delicious apples owe their deep red exterior to the presence of anthocyanin.
If you are adding a variety of fruits and vegetables to your home this season, don’t forget about the blood orange! It’s sweet and juicy—and full of robust color to initiate conversation around the dinner table!
And in a juice—-it adds sweetness and a heavy dose of Vitamin C straight to your bloodstream! A fluid rush of red rushing through your viens….
Thanks Ashley for sharing your blood oranges & reminding me of the vast varieties of citrus fruits that bare many health benefits!
Information on Blood Oranges Credit
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