Send a Honeybell Orange for Christmas

Fruit baskets have been popular with the American public for decades. Impressive arrangements can be ordered throughout the year. They are particularly popular during the holidays. In this article we will discuss one of the rarest and most sought after holiday fruits in America, the Honeybell orange.

Grown almost exclusively in Florida, the Honeybell is actually not an orange at all, it’s a tangelo. As you may know, a tangelo is a hybrid fruit, a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit, which means that it is half orange, since the tangerine is a variety of Mandarin orange. The Honeybell is arguably the most exclusive citrus fruit cultivated in America.

It would be disingenuous to suggest that the Honeybell orange doe not owe its fame, at least in part, to the fact that is hard to find. Less than one in every five thousand consumers has ever enjoyed one, according to industry reports. Not surprisingly, the Honeybell orange is considered a delicacy, which makes them the perfect holiday gift.

There’s only one issue. The Honeybell does not actually ship until January. But that doesn’t stop people from ordering weeks, even months in advance. The general consensus is that the Honeybell orange is worth the wait.

How to order?

The great thing about ordering a tray of these tasty tangelos online is that most commercial sellers will send a special gift card to the recipient that lets them know when to expect delivery. Most orders arrive just after the New Year, depending on where you are located in the contiguous United States. It is probably not a good idea to order a tray of Honeybells if you reside in either Alaska or Hawaii. They are extremely sensitive and they may not survive the trip.

Where to Order?

Released to the public in 1931, the Honeybell orange was rarely shipped out-of-state. It was the property of Florida and fruit lovers had to travel to the Sunshine State to enjoy them. With the help of the internet, however, some of the larger commercial sellers have started shipping Honeybells throughout the continental United States. Availability is often an issue. In Florida, the Honeybell orange is sold at roadside stands, even at some supermarkets. But for the outsider, this rare fruit must be ordered online several months in advance.

A commercial seller that specializes in holiday deliveries is your best bet. Just know that prices generally increase the closer it is to the holidays. Ordering a tray or two in the fall will all but assure you a gift package in January, unless the crop is a particularly poor one. Since the Honeybell orange is grown almost exclusively in one region of the country, along the Indian River in Florida, if the weather is unseasonably cold, the entire crop could be compromised.

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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