This page may contain affiliate links. So, I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. Here is a post about amazingly beautiful Blood Oranges!
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1,000 Foods To Eat Project
I am working my way through the foods that are listed in the book 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die by Mimi Sheraton. This is called my 1,000 Foods to Eat Project.
In this book, the author Mimi Sheraton lists her choices for the 1,000 Foods of the World that you MUST try.
Ms. Sheraton includes the INCREDIBLE Blood Orange as one of these foods. The Blood Orange is food #44 in my 1,000 Foods To Eat Project!
Where Are Blood Oranges Grown?
Blood oranges are grown in the Mediterranean, in countries such as Italy and Spain. They are also grown in the US in states such as California and Texas.
The climate that favors the blood oranges are cool nights and warm days. This is responsible for the chemicals called anthocyanins, which are the pigments that cause the colors of the blood orange.
Ms. Sheraton has organized her book by "the geography of flavor and culinary style." She lists the blood orange under the Italian section. This is because she says that the Italian (Sicilian) Blood Orange is the cream of the crop. 🙂
The blood orange of Sicily even has Protected Geographical Status within the European Union. It is also called "Arancia Rossa di Sicilia," a beautiful name for a beautiful fruit!
Varieties Of Sicilian Blood Oranges
There are 3 main varieties of Sicilian blood oranges. They are:
- Moro - the most colorful of these varieties and most common in the US market
- Tarocco - considered the sweetest variety
- Sanguinello
The Appearance and Taste Of the Blood Orange
I took the picture above at my grocery store. As you can see, not all of the blood oranges have a reddish colored rind.
However when you cut into the blood orange, you will behold beautiful hues. These range from "blood" colored, and crimson, to almost blueish or purplish colors, caused by the anthocyanins.
Blood oranges are delicious! The taste does depend on which variety you are enjoying, however they are generally sweet with hints of raspberry. I've read comments from other people who say they taste fruit punch flavors when enjoying this orange!
How To Enjoy Blood Oranges!
Blood oranges can be enjoyed in so many ways! Here are some great ideas:
- Eat them straight or juice them for the most incredible orange juice!
- Enjoy in a cocktail. Click here for some great blood orange cocktail ideas
- Enjoy in a salad! Click here for a recipe for Delicious Sicilian Fennel and Blood Orange Salad
- Incredible as part of a Marmalade! Click here for info on Marchesi Di San Giuliano Marmalade, Sicilian Orange
- Delight in a blood orange sorbet! Click here for one recommended in the 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die book!
I treated myself to this Ciao Bella Blood Orange Sorbetto. 🙂 The flavor was absolutely delicious a great way to enjoy blood oranges!
I do hope you will delight in some blood oranges soon! They tend to be in season from around December to April. So, if you are reading this outside of those months you may have to wait a bit for the fruit itself!
Some Other Foods In The 1,000 Foods to Eat Project!
1,000 Foods To Eat Project
Please follow along with me on this quest to try the 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die, from the book by Mimi Sheraton! Join me in this journey and discover new foods, experiences, and cuisines which I hope will add inspiration, fun, and joy to your life! Visit the 1,000 Foods to Eat Project page to view a list of the foods tried so far.
If you'd like to follow along and be a part of the 1,000 Foods Project, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here.
Cheers!
Grace
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