The Story of the Florida Honeybell Orange

Usually when we think of fruit they are just categorized by custom names such as oranges, apples, pears, etc. Fruit is fruit, right?

What makes a fruit so special that it deserves not to be put in just any old generic category?

You know this fruit is not just any old fruit. It is pure joy to the mouth, almost seductive in nature, the treat of all treats. Florida Honeybell oranges are a unique blend of citrus. To be completely precise, it is not an orange at all. This unique citrus blend comes from the combination of a tangerine and a grapefruit. What makes this extreme blend of fruit even more mysterious is the Florida Honeybell orange is seedless. Both the tangerine and grapefruit contain seeds yet combined they birth Honeybell seedless oranges.

I once read a very colorful story about the creation of the HoneyBell Orange. According to the story, a very long time ago a man traveled the Indian River shores and came upon a grove. He was inspired by the conditions of the soil and environment. He decided to blend a combination of fruits. He took the buds of the tangerine and grapefruit tree and implanted the buds into the trunk of an orange tree. Several weeks later when the man returned his was surprised by the growth of a new tree from the trunk. As the tree matured it grew the most beautiful, juiciest, sweetest fruit one would ever know. Florida Honeybell oranges were in high demand. Growers and retailers alike couldn’t wait to get their hands on one.

What a remarkable story about the Honeybell orange! The fact that it’s a folk tale or an elaboration of the truth does not change the fact that the Honeybell orange is an extraordinary fruit.

In fact, the only true land that grows Honeybell oranges is located in Florida in the Indian River Citrus region. If you find a Florida Honeybell orange anywhere else, I would consider it an imitation. The Indian River Citrus region is located on the Florida Eastern Seaboard. The environment is ideal for growing citrus fruit. The dirt is filled with richness. The days are a perfect temperature and the nights are cool. There is a profuse amount of rain. What more could a Honeybell orange grower want?

The Florida Honeybell orange is not a year around fruit. It is picked between December and February. Time is limited so if you miss them for the season, you will have to wait until next year to get your hands on more of these tantalizing treats.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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