All orange citrus fruits aren't oranges

When it comes to oranges, most of us think of navel oranges. They are common, quite delicious, easy to carry and inexpensive. But they are far from the only orange citrus fruits that you will see in the stores, especially during the winter.

Minneolas

The Minneola is a tangelo, it is a combination of Duncan grapefruit and Dancy tangerine, sometimes marketed under the name Honeybell.  When I bought them here in Connecticut they were called Minneolas but when I was in Florida, they were called Honeybells.

They are very distinctive with a prominent neck that looks like the top of a bell.  The taste has an unexpected tartness from the grapefruit no doubt but very delicious and juicy. If you see them in the store, grab them, they have a very short growing season and are rarely available. 

Mandarins

Cuties, Halos and Clementines are all terms that we see in the grocery store starting in December or so and lasting through April.

I have to say, Cuties really are cute and we ate a lot of them during our stay in Florida. They are small, taste like a tangerine, seedless and are very easy to peel. They are a combination of two different types of mandarins, Clementines and Murcotts. The advantage is that they have a longer season than many others. They also have a very effective advertising campaign that has made them a household word.

However, when it comes to taste, any of these three varieties will be similar and I suggest that let price be the determining factor.

Tangerines 

Today, tangerines are a lot larger than the other varieties of Mandarins but they are almost identical in taste. They received their name from the fact that in the 1880s they were shipped out of Tangiers. The Dancy tangerine was the most common variety grown in the US into the 1970s.

Blood Oranges

If you are looking for something totally different, a blood orange is a real treat. While they look similar on the exterior, it is the wonderfully bright interior that will really make this a delight. Blood oranges are not easy to peel having a thicker skin than other oranges.

The next time you are in the grocery store and looking for your citrus fruit fix, you will have a better idea of what each of the varieties has to offer. One thing for sure, the navel orange is one of the most popular varieties because of its year-round availability and great taste.