Blood Oranges – The Red Jewel of Sicily

If you’ve opened your seasonal fruit box this week, you may have spotted a citrus fruit that looks like a standard orange on the outside but reveals a dramatic, crimson interior. These are the legendary Sicilian Blood Oranges, and they have officially arrived in our office fruit deliveries at office-catering.co.uk.

Grown in the mineral-rich “Piana di Catania” at the foothills of Mount Etna, these aren’t just your average desk snack—they are a biological marvel fueled by volcanic fire and icy nights.

The Science of the “Blush”: Why They Change Colour

Most oranges stay orange, but the Moro, Tarocco, and Sanguinello varieties have a secret weapon: anthocyanins. These are the same powerful pigments that give blueberries and raspberries their deep hues. To protect themselves from the freezing night time temperatures on the slopes of Etna, the oranges produce these pigments as a defence mechanism, turning the flesh a deep, ruby red.

• Volcanic Microclimate: Radical temperature shifts between day and night.
• Survival Response: Anthocyanin production creates the signature “blood” red colour.
• Mineral Wealth: Ash-enriched soil provides a unique, raspberry-like flavour.

Health Benefits: Blood Oranges vs. Regular Oranges

While all citrus is good for you, the Sicilian blood orange offers a nutritional punch that standard Navel oranges simply can’t match.