Honeybell Oranges Are Florida’s Original Citrus Treat

Can you invent fruit? Believe it or not, farmers and researchers at the USDA Horticultural Research Station in Orlando did just that in 1931, when they released the hybrid fruit the world would come to know as the Honeybell orange.

What’s In An Orange Name?

The Honeybell’s official name is the Minneola orange, named for the small town near the research station. The Honeybell name comes from the fruit’s unusual shape, which includes a small curve at the bottom that researchers believed was vaguely bell-shaped. The name “Honeybell” was soon used to market the new fruit to tourists and locals alike. But even more surprising, Honeybell oranges actually aren’t oranges at all!

The Honeybell’s Dual Heritage

The Honeybell is actually a tangelo, one of a group of hybrid fruits that are part tangerine and part grapefruit. The Minneola tangelo, or Honeybell orange, carries a deep, dusky orange color. Because of its Florida heritage, most people call it an orange out of simple appearances.

Specifically, the Minneola tangelo was created by crossing a Duncan grapefruit with a Fancy tangerine. Through the mysteries of cross breeding the Honeybell came out with no seeds even though both its parent fruits have seeds. Because it has no seeds Honeybells need to be grown from cuttings every year.

Honeybells Are Juicy, Juicy, Juicy

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Honeybell is its rich and bountiful supply of juice. Most people, when taking their first bite of its rich pulp, are astonished by how much juice the fruit contains. Some Honeybell farms even advise visitors to “bring a glass” to catch all their fruit’s juices.

The Honeybell also has a remarkably durable rind that nevertheless easily peels away to reveal its delicious pulp. The pulp is actually the same color as the rind, suggesting freshness and flavor straight through.

Honeybell Season Is A Rare Time of Year

Another facet that makes the Honeybell so prized as a fruit is its very short peak season. The Honeybell season in Florida lasts only from the last weeks in December until the last weeks in January. As you can imagine, the demand for these curious, delicious fruits remains high all year long.

Many Honeybell farms also deliver fruit baskets filled with their sweet and delicious flavor. Delivery is primarily available to the continental United States, though some online companies may also ship elsewhere.

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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