Red Orange of Sicily PGI

Agricultural Product

April Killingsworth - CC2.0

The red orange of Sicily PGI is grown in the eastern part of the island, in the areas around the Etna volcano. The nature of the land, the climate, the strong thermal excursions and the sun make this product a unique example of high quality and typicality. There are three varieties of Sicilian blood orange: moro, tarocco and sanguinello.They are a seasonal fruit available in the period starting from mid-December and ending in mid-June. Tarocco orange is the most widespread and well-known variety of blood orange. The fruits are of medium and large caliber with a spherical shape. This variety is also distinguished by the so-called collar or snout, more or less prominent. The skin color is neutral orange, with parts colored a more or less intense garnet red. The pulp, without seeds, is amber in color with more or less intense red streaks, depending on the clone, the production area and the time of harvest, medium juicy and with an exquisite flavor. The moro variety is of medium size with a globose or ovoid shape; the peel is orange with vinous red hues, more intense on one side of the fruit. The seedless pulp is entirely dark red, especially when ripe. The color of the juice is sanguine due to the presence of anthocyanins in the pulp and peel. The juice yield is high and the flavor is very pleasant and slightly acidic. The sanguinello variety is recognizable by the more or less intense garnet red skin. The pulp is almost seedless, amber in color with red streaks, very juicy and with a delicious and succulent flavor. The fruits are of medium size with a globular or spherical shape and are the last to ripen.