Florida Tangelo May Be the Most Exciting of the Citrus Fruits

There you are standing in the fruit aisle of the grocery store once again debating what fruit you are more in the mood for this week. After all, with so many delicious options, it is often hard to limit yourself to one citrus fruit craving for the day or the week. So the next time you start feeling torn between the decision to choose one or the other, why not try a Florida tangelo as your citrus choice?

What in the world is a tangelo you ask? A tangelo, commonly referred to as a honeybell, is a combination citrus fruits out of Florida. If you have ever imagined combining the delicious sweetness of a tangerine with the tangy taste of a grapefruit, then the tangelo will make your wishes come true.

Today everyone has heard over and over about the new influx of hybrid cars, but what about a hybrid fruit? Back in the early 1900’s, a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture who was obviously way ahead of the hybrid game, concocted this delicious crossbreed fruit. This tangerine and grapefruit hybrid has the best elements of both citrus fruits, with a powerful fill of luscious juice. Some of the other perks of these citrus fruits are that the skin of the tangelo is slightly looser, thereby making it easier to peel then many other citrus fruits. Many have described the taste of the tangelo as similar to a tangerine, but with a little extra kick and significantly less pulp then its equivalents.

You may be wondering how you can tell the tangelo apart from a sea of orange citrus fruits in the produce aisle at your local grocery store. The tangelo is unique in that it is not entirely round like some of its fruit counterparts, and instead it has a distinguishable bulge at one end that almost gives the appearance of a knob. Some have even compared its odd shape to somewhat of a bell shape.

Orlando tangelos where many of these scrumptious fruits come from, are grown on very large trees that are recognizable by their large, cup-shaped leaves. Tangelos also seem to have a mind of their own, as they are one of the only citrus fruits that engage is self picking. In other words, the tangelo is responsive to when it is perfectly ripe and at its peak for being consumed, and so it releases itself from the tree at the prime harvesting point.

At what time of year can you enjoy these delightful combination citrus fruit? Interestingly enough, the tangelo harvesting period is extremely limited, making it one of the few limited edition fruits available. Citrus fruits are usually harvested and available during the month of January only, so mark your calendars and do not miss out on this special produce luxury.

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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