The blood orange is a variety of orange with crimson, near blood-colored flesh. It is one of the sweet orange varieties (Citrus × sinensis). It is also known as the raspberry orange.
The dark flesh color is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a family of polyphenol pigments common to many flowers and fruit, but uncommon in citrus fruits. Chrysanthemin (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) is the main compound found in red oranges. The flesh develops its characteristic red color when the fruit develops with low temperatures during the night. Within Europe, the arancia rossa di Sicilia (red orange of Sicily) has protected geographical status. In the Valencian Community, it was introduced in the second half of the 19th century.
Cultivars
The three most common types of blood oranges are the Tarocco (native to Italy), the Sanguinello (native to Spain), and the very dark Moro (native to Italy), the newest variety of the three.
Other less-common types include Maltaise demi sanguine, Washington Sanguine, Ruby, Doblafina, Delfino, Burris Valencia, Vaccaro, Grosse Ronde, Entrefina, and Sanguinello a Pignu.
While also pigmented, Cara Cara navels and Vainiglia sanguignos have pigmentation based on lycopene, not anthocyanins as blood oranges do. The flavor is stronger and the aroma is more intense than a normal orange. This fruit has a distinct, sweet flavor with a hint of raspberry. This orange possesses a more bitter taste than the 'Tarocco' or the 'Sanguinello'. The 'Moro' variety is believed to have originated at the beginning of the 19th century in the citrus-growing area around Lentini (in the Province of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy) as a bud mutation of the "Sanguinello Moscato". Blood oranges cultivated in the United States are in season from December to March (Texas), and from November to May (California).
As food
Some blood orange juice may be somewhat tart; other kinds are sweet while retaining the characteristic blood orange taste. The oranges can also be used to create marmalade, and the zest can be used for baking. A popular Sicilian winter salad is made with sliced blood oranges, sliced bulb fennel, and olive oil. The oranges have also been used to create gelato, sorbet, and Italian soda.
Nutrition
Raw blood oranges are a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, manganese, anthocyanins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Blood orange on white.jpg|A ripe blood orange, unpeeled
File:Blood orange upside-down cake slice detail, March 2010.jpg|A slice of blood orange upside-down cake
File:Blood orange marmalade, January 2011.jpg|Jars of blood orange marmalade
Blood orange (DSCF7480).jpg|A peeled blood orange
</gallery>
See also
- Cara Cara navel, a different type of red-fleshed orange