Blood oranges are one of the most versatile citrus fruits currently available, they can be used as a substitute for most citrus varieties including orange, lemon and lime and also works well in combination with all citrus varieties. We got the lowdown on this stunning citrus from Vito and Len at Red Belly Citrus, in the Riverina region.

Tell us about Red Belly Citrus:

Red Belly is a third-generation family business. Grandparents Vito Leonardo and Domenica Mancini along with Giuseppe and Lucia Barbagallo emigrated from Italy and established Citrus farms in Griffith Australia.

It was in Griffith NSW that their skills and knowledge were handed down to cousins and brothers Vito, Anthony and Leonard Mancini who established Redbelly Citrus in 2006.

Our orchards in the Riverina region of South Eastern Australia were established in 2005 and continue to mature and increase in production.

For the uninitiated, what is a blood orange?

Essentially, the blood orange is an orange that has one important characteristic, it has a crimson-red pigment to its flesh as well as it’s rind.  How this was first discovered is still a contentious issue, historically the blood orange has been depicted in a number of artworks from ancient Chinese drawings however the Italians from southern Italy and especially Sicily are the ones credited for developing blood oranges from a humble piece of fruit to a icon of the Mediterranean lifestyle.  The blood orange has been cultivated in Italy for centuries and current production levels still outmatch any producer in the world.

What gives them their colour?

This crimson-red pigment so adored in the blood orange comes from the blood oranges unique ability to produce Anthocyanins which is extremely rare for Citrus fruits.  Anthocyanin, most commonly found in berries such as the blueberry, flowering plants and red wine (derived from red grapes) is one of the most powerful phyto-chemicals known in the plant kingdom. This group of phyto-chemicals are known for their potent antioxidant capability, being some 150 times more powerful than Vitamin C alone and along with their ability to be beneficial in so many parts of health we have decided to call this specialty VitaminRED.

Are there different varieties of blood orange?

The blood orange actually represents a number of strains around the world, most notibly the Sanguinello, Tarocco and the Moro.  In Australia we are limited to the strains available with our industry targeting the most popular and intense coloured varieties found worldwide as well as a few of our own selections which prove to be popular. The most common found in Australia at the moment is the Arnold blood orange which is debated as being part of the Moro family. It has the highest levels of pigmentation found in the Australian varieties and most reliable in producing coloured fruit. Quite recently, the Australian industry has also imported a select number of key Tarocco types which are famous for their large fruit size as well as incredible flavours, they have also been selected to enhance the length of the blood orange season to provide consumers a greater window of supply of these amazing fruits.

What conditions are required to grow blood oranges?

Growing blood oranges are easier said than done. The reason why we don’t see blood oranges year-round is partly due to the degree of difficulty in growing them. To deliver a true blood orange, we need to have the right environmental conditions to help build the levels of anthocyanins.  Half the battle is growing them in the right temperament, in a latitude that provides harsh, dry and hot summers as well as cool, nippy winters. The next issue is to then choose a suitable location that will provide maximum temperature differential during autumn. What this basically means is that to grow blood oranges successfully and to their fullest potential, they need to be grown in a location that will provide almost freezing night temperatures as well as high day temperatures. In a technical standpoint, the stress the tree endures during this weather process forces the tree to develop the much-needed anthocyanins. Not many places that are suitable for citrus meet this quality to produce the highest quality blood oranges.

How much fruit do you produce?

We have invested in the latest in agricultural technologies and planting techniques to ensure that we can deliver a quality product to you in the quantities that you need. With over 32,000 trees planted to date, which if planted conventionally would occupy a space of 300 acres, we are well placed to meet your current and future blood orange needs.

The state of the art, high density orchards that Redbelly have established are recognised as the largest blood orange plantings in the southern hemisphere. The orchards and pack house are replete with the latest technologies to bring consumers the best blood orange in the most efficient and cost-effective manner including orchard temperature regulation technologies and the latest grading and packing machinery.

When are they harvested/in season?

The wait is over! We have sent our first shipment of Redbelly blood oranges to market and they won’t disappoint. Bursting with flavour and super tart, they are perfect to incorporate into your sweet and savoury dishes.

What is the best way to have a blood orange?

Roast them with chicken or duck, make a sauce for your pork, slice them and salad them with fennel and avocado. Or do what I did and make blood orange and rhubarb anything like a compote a cake or a tiramisu. The possibilities are endless when you have the full flavour of a moro type blood orange which is both sweet and sour. The perfect balance of flavours in the king of citrus!