Ortaniques and Grapefruit – A Winning Combination

Looking for the perfect gift to send to that special someone this spring? Consider sending a gift basket brimming with ortaniques and grapefruit from Florida. Ortaniques are, according to some, the tastiest orange on the planet. And, when paired with red, pink or white grapefruit, they make a beautiful presentation.

Ortaniques are a specialty citrus in the tangor family. A tangor is a cross between a mandarin orange (better known as a tangerine) and a sweet orange. Other popular tangors include Murcott (honey tangerine) and Temple. Ortaniques, however, are unique – in how they were developed and how they taste. It is believed that ortaniques originated on Jamaica in the early 1900s. Because they were discovered in an area where there were wild orange and tangerine trees, ortaniques are believed to be natural tangors – not the result of any purposeful tests. The unique taste of ortaniques resulted in their name: or for orange, tan for tangerine and ique for the unique taste.

Grapefruit is the king of Florida citrus and they have a long harvest season. There are several varieties that are available from October to June. Marsh Red, Marsh Pink and Marsh White are among the most well known varieties. All are characterized by medium to large size and are slightly flattened on each end. They are easy to eat, have few seeds and provide plenty of juice. The lesser known Duncan Grapefruit is a white grapefruit that is typically larger than the Marsh varieties. Its seeds are tightly clustered in the center and it offers the most juice of any variety.

You can create a perfect gift basket by combining ortaniques and grapefruit. Ortaniques are a specialty hybrid and grapefruit are a more familiar staple in the citrus family. Together they make a well-balanced display. The bright orange of the ortaniques combined with the golden grapefruit make a treat for the eyes. Ortaniques and grapefruit also provide a great taste combination. Sweet juicy ortaniques pair well with the tangy grapefruit.

One thing to keep in mind is availability. While grapefruit may be generally available from October through June, ortaniques are not. Like many other specialty citrus fruits, ortaniques have a relatively short harvest season. They are generally available from mid February through March. With many online retailers offering this fantastic flavor combination, you can order ortaniques and grapefruit any time and know that they will be shipped, fresh from the grove, at the peak of harvest.

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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