Order the Honeybell Orange Online
The Honeybell orange is the rarest and juiciest fruit in the entire citrus family. It is called an orange because of its outward appearance, but the Honeybell is actually a tangelo. The word is a combination of its two ancient ancestors, the tangerine and the pomelo. But since the pomelo never caught on in America, one of its descendents, the grapefruit was used to create this famous hybrid fruit.
The first Honeybell orange was developed in a lab in central Florida in 1931. It was a cross between a Dancy tangerine and a Duncan grapefruit. Also known as the Minneola tangelo, this rare variety of citrus fruit became an instant hit with fruit lovers in the Sunshine State. But the Honeybell orange was not destined for mass consumption. Let us take a moment to explain.
There are literally thousands of distinct varieties of citrus fruits that are grown in the United States. The orange alone has over six hundred close relatives. One thing that we know for sure about citrus crops is that they are incredibly sensitive to cold weather. As unbelievable as it may sound, there have been years when the entire crop of a given fruit has been more or less wiped out due to unseasonably cold temperatures. Yes, there were years when America did not produce or ship grapefruits, even oranges.
What separates one citrus variety from the next is its ability to withstand cold temperatures. Orange varieties like the navel and the Valencia are famous for their durability, which is why growers prefer them to other oranges. It really doesn’t have much to do with taste. In short, the Honeybell orange is rare because it is incredibly sensitive to cold weather. Its thin skin, which it inherited from the tangerine, cannot protect it from the frost.
This is both a blessing and a curse. The thin, loose skin makes the fruit easy to peel, but it also offers little protection from the elements. As a result, Honeybell orange crops have consistently low yields. They can also only be grown in certain equable regions of the country. The most fecund trees grow along the Indian River in Florida. Their fruit is only harvested in January, often in the last two weeks of the month. Special care must be taken during picking and packaging. As a general rule, the Honeybell orange must be handpicked and packaged in protective trays. The thin skin makes it especially susceptible to bruising and the bell-shaped bud end is easily damaged.
While there is no surefire way to get your hands on a tray of this exclusive fruit, the internet has made things a bit easier. Ordering the Honeybell orange directly from a commercial grower is your best bet. Find a top seller and place your order in the fall.
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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