Florida Is The Land of Sun And Citrus Fruit

Even though it’s known to modern people mostly for its tourism attractions the vast and beautiful “sunshine state” of Florida boasts a rich history and fascinating heritage. Citrus fruit, especially the Florida native Honeybell tangelo, is an integral part of the history of Florida, and makes up a huge part of the business that takes place in Florida. Florida is one of the most culturally rich and diverse areas in the United States. Florida’s mix of influences including Spanish, French, English, and Caribbean, give it a distinct cultural flavor unlike any in the world.

Florida is also a state for the 21st Century, with modern metropolises like Orlando and Miami leading the way in areas of scientific research and economic progress alike. Orlando especially is a gleaming city of the future, with a sprawling but peaceful downtown and a unique metropolitan atmosphere that is both a big-city and a small-town. Orlando is surrounded by family citrus groves that have been producing the best citrus fruit in the world for generations. Florida citrus fruit growers are also leading the way in developing new hybrid fruits and in refining growing methods to produce the healthiest, most delicious citrus fruit on the planet like luscious Honeybell tangelos.

Orlando: The Hub of Florida

Orlando actually began as a center for cattle ranchers from the surrounding areas. After the Civil War, the city became a hub for shipping citrus fruit, which at the time was an exploding cash crop throughout the United States. With the coming of the 20th Century, Orlando became the state’s most popular inland resort town, with tourists taking advantage of the city’s pleasant climate and access to many local lakes. Still, the citrus farming continued unabated. In fact, in the early 1930s farmers working in the nearby town of Minneola successfully cross-bred a grapefruit and tangerine, created the Minneola tangelo. Eventually redubbed the Honeybell tangelo, this small but delicious fruit soon became one of the most popular citrus fruits around the world.

A Heritage of Fresh Citrus Fruit

Today the fresh citrus fruit industry in the sunshine state continues to grow and prosper. With the coming of the internet a decade ago, many Florida fresh citrus fruit farms were able to expand their awareness over the entire world. Today many ship their product, packaged into exciting and delicious fresh citrus fruit baskets and assorted gift fruit baskets, throughout much of the United States and Canada. Fresh citrus fruit farms deliver fruit that’s taken directly from their orchards, so that the fruit that reaches customers’ destinations is among the freshest available.

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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