The History of Florida Oranges

In modern day Florida, the Florida oranges universe is mostly in the southern half of the state. Polk County and many points further south are where grove upon grove of Florida oranges are grown. But it was not always this way. There was once a time when Florida oranges were grown in the northern and central parts of Florida. In fact, some of these counties are named after their famous citrus fruits, even though very few varieties of Florida oranges grow in these places.

Present day Orlando is filled with family entertainment and tourist traps. Mickey Mouse and company have a practical stranglehold on the area. But there was a time when Orlando was nothing but pine forests and citrus groves. In fact, the name of the county where Orlando still stands is Orange County, because that is what the area was famous for for many decades before the house that Walt built moved into the area.

Back in that day, only people who lived in or around Orange County could enjoy the sweet, juicy flesh of Florida oranges. That is because shipment of items was not like it is today. This was back when horseback, stagecoach and wagons were the only methods of transportation. To try and load the heavy Florida oranges onto a wagon and then ship them was not just an arduous task, but a futile one as well. The hot sun and long journey ensured that the oranges would take a beating or even begin to rot before they got very far. So Florida oranges were a big deal to anyone outside of the state.

Once the railroads began to take shape, it was much easier to ship items across the country. Rail cars could be filled with tons of Florida oranges and shipped in a matter of days instead of weeks like before. Now, the areas on the eastern seaboard could enjoy the experience of Florida oranges like never before – literally. Places that had only heard and dreamed about the sweetness of Florida oranges now could have them. Though they were still pricey and only able to be afforded by more affluent people, it was a step in the right direction.

Over the decades, transportation became much easier and faster, and now the entire country (and even other countries overseas) can all enjoy Florida oranges. They are famous for their sweetness, which is due in no small part to the strict process that they go through to be considered Florida oranges. Nobody blinks when they see Florida oranges at their grocer, but not so long ago, they may not have been able to get them unless they lived in Florida.

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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