Citrus Varieties - Florida’s Oranges & Grapefruit

Discover the all citrus varieties grown by Florida’s farming community. If you’re here you probably already know that Florida is famous for our citrus-friendly weather and favorable soil conditions resulting in a wide variety of...well...varieties of citrus. Each variety has their own very special personality and characteristics, along with a subset of devout followers! Some varieties are available for the entire citrus season but others are harvested just a few short weeks out of a year. Below we've highlighted the differences and benefits to each special variety...

florida navel orange on white background

Navel Oranges

  • This classic fall Orange is large with a round to oval shape. 
  • Very juicy, sweet with a golden Orange skin. 
  • When most people think of a Florida Orange, they are thinking of a Navel. 
  • Seedless and easy to peel. 
  • In season November-April. 


A Florida Honeybell Orange

Honeybell Tangelo Oranges 

  • Tangelos are a cross between a Duncan grapefruit and a Dancy tangerine.
  • The Minneola is the most popular Tangelo variety.
  • This variety is referred to by its many names like Minneola, Tangelo and Honeybell. 
  • A mildly tart-sweet and highly succulent orange with a vibrant orange-red skin color (making this a great gift orange). 
  • Smooth to slightly pebbled in texture, easy to peel with few if any seeds. 
  • Easy to spot, characterized by a "notch" at the top of the fruit. 
  • In season January until the trees are fully picked. 


mandarin orange on white background

Mandarin Oranges (Includes Satsumas and Tangerines)

  • Tangy, sweet and known for their bright orange rind and smaller snack-size. 
  • Loose-fitting, thin skin makes them easy to peel.
  • Easy to section - great for snack-packing! 
  • In season November-March.

Tangerines

    • The classic thin skinned, easy peeling orange variety. 
    • Small in size, sweet tasting. Darker- orange hue compared to other Mandarin varieties.
    • Usually has many seeds. 
    • Originally imported to Florida from the Moroccan port Tangier
    • In season November-March. 

Satsumas

    • Sweet, juicy, mild tangy flavor, and easy-peeling. 
    • Small in size.
    • Also known as the Japanese Mandarin.
    • Mostly seedless.
    • In season November-March. 

temple orange on white background

Temples

  • The Temple is a cross between a tangerine and an orange. 
  • Characterized by a pretty reddish-orange skin color with a slightly rough skin that is easy to peel. 
  • Juicy and sweet. 
  • Contains few seeds.
  • In season January-February. 



Valecia oranges

Valencias (pronounced Valen-"sia" or Valen-"cha")

  • Late season citrus variety known for its amazingly sweet and colorful juice. 
  • Not necessarily considered a peeling orange, but the Valencia is succulent when sliced and added to Ruby Red Grapefruit for a healthy fruit salad. 
  • Trivia: Cultivation of the Valencia began in Orange County, California but ceased by the mid-1990s due to rising property costs, which drove what remained of the Southern California orange industry into Florida...and we'll take it! Yum! 
  • In season March-May.