All posts in Fruit Facts

Do you tend to think of grapefruit as a winter fruit? If you do, it’s not so surprising…many of our favorite citrus fruits are in season during the fall, winter and early spring months, including Navel Oranges, Tangerines and Ruby Red Grapefruit. But saying “sayonara” to winter doesn’t mean you have to bid citrus fruits farewell, too…summer varieties mean you can enjoy fresh citrus fruit year-round – and that includes grapefruit! Grapefruit in the United States Grapefruit was first introduced to Florida in the 1820s. The name stems from the way the fruit grows — in grape-like clusters. Today, grapefruit…

If you’ve been wondering when do mangos come in season, the answer is right now! Assuming you’re reading this in the summertime, of course – mangoes are a summer stone fruit, and a very tasty, tropical-tasting one at that. There’s nothing like the flavor of fresh mango in a salad or smoothie! But can you eat the peel along with the flesh of the fruit? What’s Great About Mango Skins Historically, we human beings tend to peel our fruits and veggies before we eat them, which is a shame, since the skins (or rinds, or peels – whichever you prefer…

Someone has just had a bunch of fresh cherries delivered to your door, and you couldn’t be more surprised! Perhaps you didn’t realize it was cherry season. Perhaps the only cherries you’ve ever eaten have been the odd Maraschino kind in your drink or on top of a sundae, and you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying fresh cherries. Perhaps you didn’t even realize you could send cherries in the mail! How do cherries taste, anyway? Don’t worry…we’re here to fill you in on your gift of cherries and tell you everything you need to know! Are cherries in season?…

Are Hale Groves Valencia Oranges good for juicing? In our opinion (and Hale Groves has specialized in tree-ripened fruit for over 70 years), there are none better! We believe that, not only are Valencia Oranges good for juicing, they are the best oranges for juicing you can get. What is a Valencia Orange? Named for the Spanish city, Valencia Oranges are a summer variety that was developed in Southern California during the 1800s. Valencias are available from February through October and reach their peak in late spring through mid-summer. The Valencia Orange has wonderful flavor, but unlike the popular classic…

Georgia Peach season is here! A ripe, juicy peach is one of the joys of summer. Not only can fresh peaches be enjoyed when eaten out of hand, peaches are can be used in both sweet (in cobblers and other baked goods) and savory (in salsas, sides and main dishes) recipes. Peach health benefits include fiber, potassium and vitamins A and C. Sweet peaches can also be beneficial for weight loss as they’re low in calories (just 60 per cup) and satisfying to your sweet tooth. The only bad thing about peaches is how short their season is! Stone Fruits…

Summer is upon us, and North American-grown Navel Oranges (which are winter oranges) have pretty much vanished from the market, not to appear again until later in the fall. In there place you’ll now find California Valencia Oranges, a summer-grown variety known for the gorgeous color and sumptuously sweet flavor of its flesh. An American Orange, an Exotic Name The Valencia Orange is named for the Spanish city, but it was actually developed in Southern California. An American-born agronomist by the name of William Wolfskill hybridized the sweet orange on his Santa Ana farm in the 19th Century. The sweetness…

Quick – what fruit pops into your mind when we say, “vitamin C?” We’re betting it’s citruses…specifically, oranges. But did you know that cherries are also a great source of vitamin C? Are cherries good for you? You may already know that sweet cherries are delicious – decadently so. But they’re also supremely good for you! The benefits of eating cherries are many. Apart from being low in calories, cherries are full of fiber, which supports a healthy digestive system. Fresh cherries are also high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help prevent chronic illnesses (like heart disease and diabetes),…

Summertime is South Florida Mango season, and we couldn’t be more excited! If you’ve never made fresh mango a part of your summer diet, you definitely want to start – over 90% of the people who give this rare-ish, tropical fruit a try instantly fall in love with the flavor, and we’re betting you will, too. But before you head out to buy mangos at your local grocer, it might be a good idea to brush up on your mango “known how” first – just how to buy mangoes can make a big impact on your new “mango experience.” Fun…

Sweet cherry season is almost here, and how sweet it is! Some of the sweetest cherries are Bing Cherries. Bing Cherries are heart-shaped, big and juicy with dark red (almost purple) peels and dark-red flesh interiors (in most cases, the darker the flesh, the sweeter the cherry). But what is it that makes Bing Cherries such “sweethearts?” Location, Location, Location! You know how citrus trees need a warm climate with few or no extended winter freezes to thrive? The opposite is true for sweet cherry trees: many cherry trees (such as the Bing cherry tree) need significant “chill” time (between…

Oohhhh, mango! There’s nothing like the sweet-tart, juicy flesh of fresh mangoes during the spring and summer. This “fruit of queens” is not only incredibly delicious eaten fresh or when used to add a tropical flair to recipes (smoothies, salads and salsas are just a few examples of what are mangoes good for) it’s incredibly healthy, too! A nutritional powerhouse, the health benefits of mango are many: high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, a fresh mango has so much beta-carotene you can see it! (That’s what gives the succulent flesh its characteristic, dark-gold hue.) Plus, a one-cup…