John Myers
Origin
Blood oranges come mainly from the southeast of Sicily. The main growing area is between the cities of Enna, Syracuse, and the city of Catania at the foot of Mount Etna.
Season
The main season runs from December to March. In the remaining months, blood oranges are available in very small quantities.
Taste
The taste of the blood orange is sweet and sour.
Particularities
The so-called anthocyanins are responsible for the characteristic and eponymous reddish coloring of the flesh of blood oranges. This plant pigment is mainly produced when the oranges are exposed to high temperature fluctuations every day before harvest. The anthocyanin content varies from variety to variety. The Moro variety usually impresses with an intense red colouration, while the Tarocco variety – a so-called half-blood orange – often has less pigmentation.
