Fresh Florida ruby red grapefruit has come a long way since the first seedlings were planted in the early 1800’s. Producing fine quality, but seedy varieties, scientists and growers experiments with different rootstocks until the grapefruit became a superior tasting, high quality fruit. Today, the state of Florida grows more grapefruit than any other region in the United States. More than 8 million Florida grapefruit trees produce 50 percent of all the grapefruit grown in the world, and 80 percent of all grapefruit in the U.S. Nearly 80 percent of this delicious fruit is grown and shipped from the famous…
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For most of you, below-freezing temperatures are as natural as winter itself, but for Florida citrus growers, we start worrying when temperature dip below 32 degrees. That’s when damage can occur to the citrus crop, and if it stays below freezing too long, the trees themselves will suffer. This past January we had a close call when temperatures around Florida went down into the 20’s. Fortunately, Indian River citrus grown nearest the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulfstream breezes protects us from the worst of the cold. Sometimes it gets so cold even the Gulfstream isn’t enough to protection, but this…
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Citrus has been farmed commercially in Florida since the 1800s. Today, the industry is worth more than $9 billion. Here are three interesting facts you may not have known about Florida citrus. Florida Citrus is More Than Just Oranges Florida citrus farmers grow many different types of citrus. In addition to oranges, grapefruit and tangerines are also popular choices. Ortaniques is a popular specialty and is grown most often during the months of October through April. Not All Oranges or Grapefruits are Made the Same Normally when someone thinks of an orange or grapefruit the person imagines a full-size, round…
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Even though it’s been a long cold winter spring is just around the corner. You can be certain spring is coming because Temple oranges are in season and that means spring is on the way. Temple oranges are a hybrid fruit, a cross between an orange and a tangerine, and they have a unique rich taste that will remind you of warm summer days in the sun. Temple oranges are only in season for a few weeks in late winter and they are a great reminder that warm weather and lazy summer days really are almost here. After the long…
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Grapefruit punch is a delicious treat that you can serve year round, but is especially tasty in the fall. You can channel summer with refreshing summery punch or get in the holiday spirit with spicy warm punch designed to go perfectly with holiday dishes. Punch can be made with alcohol and without, and is a great way to add a festive touch to any occasion. Whether it’s a kid’s sleepover party, a dinner party, or just having some friends over for a visit making punch instead of serving plain beverages is sure to delight your guests. Remember to always use…
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Who is Father Clement, and why are we thanking him? About a hundred years ago, Father Clement, a French priest living in Algeria, created a delicious hybrid of the tangerine and Seville orange. In his honor, it was named theClementine. Today, the Clementine is grown primarily in Spain, but it is renowned the world over for its sugary sweetness. Similar to the Tangerine, the Clementine is small and seedless, with a shiny, bright, and easy – to- peel skin. That makes them a favorite among the kids, who eat them like candy. Big kids appreciate Clementine, too, served with sherbet…
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Florida fruit shipping laws are pretty easy to find in relation to many other states. Most information is centralized and can be found at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Their website is user friendly and the customer service is good if you have specific questions about fruit shipping that you would like to call or email about. Most Florida laws for fruit shipping fall under Title XXXV for Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Industry’s Chapter 600-604 F.S. Here you will find everything about information such as soil and water conservation as well as marketing regulations for the citrus…
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Honeybells are one of the most popular types of citrus fruits that you can buy. Honeybells are known for having an extremely sweet taste and lots of delicious juice. Honeybells are considered to be a premium citrus fruit because they are only available for a very short time every year. Honeybells are only in season for a few weeks starting in late-December and ending in mid- to late-January. Sometimes these bright orange treats are called Christmas fruit because they come into season around the time of Christmas. They also have a festive bell shape that some people associate with Christmas,…
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Do you ever wonder why Indian River fruit is so much better then most other fruits out there? Well for one it is well known that Florida citrus is ranked as some of the best in the world. Indian River is one of the leading producers of citrus in the state of Florida. Indian River fruit have the perfect combination of sun light, nutrient rich soil, sub tropical temperatures, stable humidity, and great access to water through rain and the Indian River lagoon that takes up just fewer than twenty percent of the country. These optimal conditions are the reason…
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If you want make your next party stand out try decorating with Temple oranges. Temple oranges are only in season for a short time during the last month or so of winter which makes them a special and unique decoration. You can use Temple oranges to decorate wedding receptions, baby showers, dinner parties, birthday parties and other events. You can use beautiful fruit baskets that have Temple oranges as well as other citrus fruits like tangerines or grapefruit as centerpieces on the tables at your event. After the party the guests can take home the centerpieces as party favors and…