Citrus Varieties

Florida is famous for our citrus-friendly weather and soil conditions resulting in a wide variety of...well...varieties of citrus, each with their own special personality and characteristics. Some are available for the entire citrus season but others are available as few as three weeks out of the year. Below we've highlighted the differences and benefits to each special variety...

  

Navels

  • 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-January. 



 

Honeybell Tangelos (also known as Minneola Tangelos)

  • Tangelos are a cross between a Duncan grapefruit and a Dancy tangerine - the Minneola is the most popular Tangelo variety. 
  • 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 util the trees are fully picked. 



Mandarins (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. 

 

 

 

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. 



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.