Orange
The sweet orange, so named to differentiate it from the inedible variety, is a tree native to China that has gradually spread to the Mediterranean, where it has found ideal climatic conditions for its growth.
Today this fruit has won the distinction of the most widely consumed citrus fruit in the world and is grown in hundreds of different varieties.
Varieties
Blonde Orange
Navel
Spherical and regular in shape with a rounded base, it is referred to as “umbilicate” because of the peculiar formation at the bottom of the fruit resembling a navel. The uniformly colored peel is easily removed. This type of orange is very common and popular because of the sweetness of the pulp and the lack of seeds.
Valencia
It has a spherical shape and a medium-thick skin with a soft orange color. The flesh is very juicy, tasty and seedless. It is an orange that can be stored in the refrigerator for extended periods of time. It is the most widely grown variety of blond-fleshed oranges in the world.
Blood Orange
The blood orange is characterized by a bright orange skin with red hues, varying according to variety and time of harvest, and a flesh with a distinctive red color.
Among the most common varieties:
Tarocco, has a thin, smooth and tough skin and its red color comes from its late ripening; the flavor is exceptional when fully ripe.
Sanguinello, in recent years is among the most popular varieties in European markets because of the intense color of its juice.
Moro, is characterized by red and juicy flesh, seedless and with a full-bodied and rich taste. It is suitable for both table consumption and healthy juicing.
Rose Orange
The Spanish Ruby Valencia variety, along with the Kirkwood, which originated in South Africa, are called “pink oranges” because of the distinctive color of their flesh.
The pink orange is distinguished by its red fruit aroma, as well as a good balance between acidity and sweetness; it has a high content of antioxidants, including especially lycopene, which is present in higher amounts than any other variety.
Seasonality
Cultivation method
Conventional
: Produced by conventional agriculture, complying with current Italian legislation on pesticides and good agricultural cultivation practices.
For fruits imported from countries other than Italy, the current EU harmonization rules on permitted pesticide residues are applied.
Chem Free
: product from conventional agriculture not treated post-harvest.
Organic
: a product grown according to the principles of Organic Farming, from farms certified by suitable inspection body. The characteristics of the product and its production methods are indicated by the current Community Regulations, including subsequent amendments and additions, on organic production and labeling.
