Honeybells or Tangelos? Sweet Either Way!

Citrus fruits, unlike many other fruit cultivars in the world, are prone to mutation and have a rare genetic make-up that allows them to be sexually compatible with one another and mix, resulting in new breeds of citrus. This is exactly what happened with Honeybell Oranges – a cross between Dancy tangerine and Duncan grapefruit.

Origin of Honeybells

Honeybell Oranges are called oranges but they are in fact tangelos or fruit hybrids of mandarin or tangerine origin crossed with pomelo or grapefruit. This fruit was first released for commercial propagation in 1931 by the USDA Horticultural Research Station in Orlando, Florida.

To date, about 80 percent of Honeybell Tangelos are grown in Florida. Honeybell Oranges from Florida tend to grow bigger, sweeter, juicier, and tastier than Honeybelles grown elsewhere. The reason behind this is said to be the warm, humid Floridian climate and lots of sunshine that provides great growing conditions for Honeybell Oranges.

Honeybell FAQs

• What are Honeybell Oranges? – Honeybell Tangelo, or simply Honeybell, is a hybrid citrus fruit with smooth, red-orange skin that boasts of aromatic fragrance, honey-sweet flavor and overly juicy flesh that has more juice than pulp.
• Why is it called Honeybell? – The Honeybell Orange is named for two reasons: (1) the stem neck that gives the fruit its bell-like shape, and (2) its naturally sweet flavor that tastes like honey mixed with tangy flowery notes.
• When is the Honeybell Orange season? – Florida Honeybells have limited seasonal availability which is just from December to January. With some luck, the season may extend up until the 2^nd week of February.
• Where to buy Honeybell Oranges? – Unlike your regular oranges, Florida Honeybell Oranges seldom hit the fruit stands. Why? In addition to a short seasonal availability, the Honeybelle crop size varies yearly and sometimes the production is not enough to fill the demand. If you want to get your hands on Honeybell Oranges Florida, you need to pre-order these rare treats months before they become available. You can either call citrus farms or go to their respective online sites to order Honeybells Florida.

Take note that before making your online purchase, ensure that you are buying from a reputable citrus company with years of experience in shipping citrus fruits, especially the delicate and easily-bruised Honeybell oranges. Read the Honeybell Oranges reviews made by previous customers who bought from the company you are researching. Good reviews are an indication of satisfied customers, while bad reviews are manifestations of bad customer service and unpalatable fruits. You may also check online for more information regarding the company you are buying from to see how long they have been in business. If they have been operational for more than a decade then that just means they know what they are doing.

Shop Delicious Treats from Hale Groves

Hale Groves of Vero Beach, Florida, offers the best citrus and fruit gifts money can buy. Order some for your friends, family or yourself.

Shop Now