Florida Oranges: The Gift They Will Remember

Most everyone has received a gift of chocolates at some point in their life but what about a basket of fresh Florida oranges? Giving fruit isn’t nearly as popular as giving candy and that’s a shame. Fresh fruit is not only delicious, but way more healthy than those towers of bon bons that are so popular not to mention much less fattening.

Why is that?

Well one reason could be that our idea of fruit is defined by what we get at the grocers. We get a waxed cardboard container of orange juice or a can of sliced pears and we think, ok, that’s what these fruits taste like. They’re not bad but send them as a gift? Probably not.

So much of the natural goodness of fruit is lost in processing. When you get canned fruit you’re getting a lot more sugar and of course preservatives that don’t exist on the tree. What Americans are missing is the incredible fresh taste of fruit, particularly oranges, fresh off the vine. Florida oranges like Valencias are so mouth watering juicy and full of flavor that some claim they can actually taste the sun.

And Florida oranges come with the extra benefit of more juice and less pulp. This stuff is pure nectar of the gods and your gift will be a colossal hit. And talk about variety. Florida raises a number of different oranges and orange family fruits. Each has their own distinctive characteristics and you can match their qualities to the tastes of the person you are gifting.

The Valencia is probably the most popular because it is the sweetest of the oranges with absolutely no bitter taste and has one of the longest harvesting seasons. The Florida Valencia orange has from zero to about six seeds, can be eaten out of hand or sliced up for salads and garnish. It’s a fantastic orange and makes up 50% of the Florida orange crop.

If you want to send the ultimate Florida citrus gift you have to send honeybells but you can only get these beauties in December and January. Honeybells are a tangelo that are so succulent and full of sweet juice that you just want to squeeze them directly into your mouth. But don’t. The flesh, or pulp of this fruit is equally delectable and the two are made to go hand in hand.

There are so many others to choose from as well. If you want to do something different for a gift, you really need to consider choosing a basket of Florida oranges. Your friends will love you for it.

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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