Enjoy Honeybells in Late Winter

Honeybell oranges present a unique gift opportunity for gift-givers looking to give a late holiday or early-year birthday gift. Honeybells are some of the sweetest citrus fruit ever created, with such abundant juice inside their easy to peel rind that even the most experienced fruit enthusiasts are often surprised.

The Unique Origin of the Honeybell “Orange”

Though the citrus fruit’s bright, rich orange color often confuses newcomers to its delicious taste the Honeybell is not actually an orange at all. Rather, it’s an exciting hybrid of a Duncan grapefruit and a Dancy tangerine. Farmers in Florida first cross bred the two fruits in the early 1930s, possibly hoping to blend the rich juiciness of the grapefruit with the easy to peel convenience of the tangerine.

The result was a complete and smashing success. The Minneola tangelo, as it was originally called, began appearing on store shelves in 1931. Soon, people across America were knocked for a loop by all the new citrus fruit’s amazing qualities.

Honeybells Might Be the Perfect Fruit

In time, the bold new tangelo became known as the Honeybell, thanks to the small divot on the end that makes it resemble a bell. Unlike both its genetic “parents,” the Honeybell contains no seeds, and its rind is remarkably easy to peel. And as we mentioned before, the Honeybell carries a huge amount of juice, too.

Honeybells‘ big drawback, however, is their scarcity. Possibly the most delicate of citrus fruits, they reach their peak season for only a few weeks in December and January, making them among the most desired citrus fruits available. Some eager enthusiasts even have to sit on waiting lists for weeks to get the Honeybells’ delicious flavor.

Honeybells Available Online

For gift-givers who are running late with their gift delivery or who are searching for a gift for the January birthday, Honeybells represent a tantalizing opportunity. Honeybells are available for order online, in your choice of assorted fruit gift basket options. These fruit baskets are available in many design choices beside the fruit basket, including several different varieties of fruit tray and sampler pack, as well as vertically-arranged fruit towers and citrus fruit basket gift bowls, which also include a reusable bowl.
Remember too that delivery and packaging times do play a factor, and to research each site’s delivery options before confirming your purchase. You definitely want your delicious Honeybell “oranges” to arrive on time!

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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