Honeybell, or Minneola Tangelos, are citrus hybrids that likely originated in China and parts of southern Asia as the result of an insect cross pollination between the mandarin orange and the pummelo, or grapefruit. The first known tangelos in Florida were made possible by a natural seedling grove in Nocatee, Florida, and subsequent breeding by Drs. Swingle and Webber in 1897. These tangelo varieties were renamed Sampson and Thornton tangelos. Eight other varieties of tangelo were also developed during this same time period, due to the tangelo’s compatibility with the sandy soil and Mediterranean climate of Florida. The honeybell tangelo is prized by citrus aficionados the world over, and is used in a variety of delicious and unique recipes.
Some of the other varieties of tangelo include the K-early, which has the distinction of being one of the first varieties of tangelo developed, and the least popular; the Nova, which is a cross between the Clementine tangerine and the Orlando tangelo; the Thornton, and the Jamaican Ugli Fruit, an accidental hybrid of the mandarin orange and the grapefruit While there are many varieties, the most popular, and the one that is most easily shipped, is the honeybell. This versatility on the part of the fruit, coupled with its distinctive shape and pleasant taste, have propelled it from relative obscurity to a fruit in high demand among citrus lovers.
The most significant early development of tangelos in Florida was done by the Glen St. Mary Nursery in Lake County, where commercial plantings were named for the Florida Indians indigenous to the region, the Seminole, and the Minneola, or as it is commercially known, the Honeybell tangelo. Honeybells are sweet and fragrant, with thin peels that make eating easy and a taste that is as unique as it is flavorful. Almost all types of tangelos are grown exclusively in Florida, and at Hale Groves, we pride ourselves in producing only the highest quality sweet and delicious Honeybells for our valued customers. Our honeybells are packed with care, and delivered in our climate controlled trucks to your local post office, and then directly to your door. The honeybell growing season is short, but the demand for these tasty fruits is high, which is why if you love tangelos, you should put your order in early, and, even better, consider signing up for one of the Hale Groves’ fruit of the month clubs to ensure that you will always have your favorite fruits, including honeybell tangelos, delivered to your door year round. |
