What variety of orange is the one that produces red juice?
No. It is not a hybrid between an orange and a grapefruit as many think. The red orange, also known as blood or blood orange , is a variety of sweet orange whose flesh is characterized by being of an intense red color , very similar to that of raspberries. The skin of this fruit also usually has reddish tones and you can differentiate it from other oranges because its size is smaller and it is harder to the touch . If you want to learn more curiosities about this peculiar citrus fruit, its benefits and its uses in the kitchen, do not hesitate to continue reading.
Blood orange, red juice
The blood orange, as we have mentioned in our introduction, is nothing more and nothing less than a variety of sweet orange . It is very easy to differentiate from other oranges, both externally and internally, due to the striking red color of its flesh and skin , its small size and its hard peel. In addition, its reddish color also influences its flavor, which makes the blood orange somewhat more acidic and intense , somewhat bittersweet, we could say.
Also note that this type of orange is perfect for making juices , light red juices, since its flesh has a lot of juice, is very tender and hardly has any seeds . It is a highly acclaimed citrus in gourmet cuisine to decorate dishes in a sophisticated way, thanks to its red color that is so showy and eye-catching. Its more bitter flavor makes it perfect for making jams , cakes, flans, salad garnishes, etc.
There are some varieties of blood oranges according to their origin, hence we find the Torocco, the Sanguinelli and the Moro, the Sanguinelli being of Spanish origin . As for their harvest season, these oranges are harvested between the months of December to March .
What is its reddish color due to?
Blood oranges have this reddish color thanks to their high content of antiocyanins , pigments more common in berries than in citrus fruits, which, in addition to giving them color, indicate that they are full of antioxidants . That they have a powerful antioxidant power means that they trap and eliminate free radicals, thus preventing cardiovascular and neurological diseases and some types of cancer.
This reddish color also develops due to the low temperatures that occur at night , a nocturnal cold that is very common in the Mediterranean soil, hence this variety of orange can be found a lot in the Valencia area .
Benefits of red orange
The red orange, in addition to being rich in antioxidants, is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B1, potassium, folic acid, magnesium, calcium and has a lot of fiber . The best thing about this type of orange is that it contains 40% more vitamin C than traditional oranges , which makes it a very suitable fruit to consume thanks to its great capacity to absorb iron, calcium and phosphorus. Thanks to all its nutrients, we can say that the benefits of blood orange are the following:
- Strengthens the immune and circulatory system
- Prevents premature aging
- Lowers blood glucose levels
- Prevents obesity and diabetes
- fight cholesterol
- Improves intellectual performance
