Blood oranges are a unique and delicious citrus fruit known for their striking dark red flesh and sweet, yet tart flavor. Their season is limited, usually only available from December to April, so it’s important to enjoy them when you can! When pairing fruits with blood oranges, there are a few key considerations:
Complementary flavors
Look for fruits that have complementary flavors to blood oranges. Good options include:
- Strawberries – Also sweet-tart, strawberry flavors pair nicely with the berry notes in blood oranges.
- Raspberries – The subtle tartness of raspberries balances the sweetness of blood oranges.
- Blackberries – Earthy, deep blackberry flavors contrast with bright blood orange.
- Mangoes – Tropical, peach-like mangoes marry well with the citrus notes.
- Papayas – Sweet, slightly musky papayas complement the berry tones.
Textural contrasts
Pairing fruits with contrasting textures to blood oranges creates an interesting mouthfeel:
- Pineapple – The juicy, soft pineapple flesh contrasts with the blood orange’s pulp.
- Kiwifruit – Tiny, crunchy kiwi seeds pop against the blood orange’s tender segments.
- Pomegranate – The juicy, crisp pearls of pomegranate pair well texture-wise.
- Grapes – Smooth, slick grapes balance out the blood orange’s flesh.
- Dragonfruit – Soft, creamy dragonfruit complements the blood orange’s pulp.
Complementary colors
Fruits with colors that look striking next to the blood orange’s vivid red flesh:
- Starfruit – Sliced starfruit alongside blood orange segments make a lovely color combination.
- Kiwifruit – Bright green kiwi halves contrast nicely with blood orange slices.
- Grapes – Deep purple grapes look beautiful next to blood orange wedges.
- Pomegranate – Ruby red pomegranate kernels pair well color-wise.
- Cantaloupe – Orange melon cubes coordinate well with the blood orange tone.
Seasonality
Choose fruits that are in season at the same time as blood oranges:
- Mangoes
- Papayas
- Kiwifruit
- Pineapple
- Grapefruit
- Clementines
- Persimmons
These fruits reach their peak ripeness and flavor alongside winter blood oranges.
Fruit salads and salsa
Blood oranges lend a pop of color and flavor when added to fruit salads. Some excellent combinations include:
- Blood orange, mango, and kiwifruit salad
- Blood orange, strawberry, and pineapple salad
- Blood orange, pomegranate, and spinach salad
- Blood orange, cantaloupe, and honeydew salsa
Smoothies
Blood oranges can be blended into delicious smoothies with complementary fruits like:
- Blood orange, strawberry, and banana
- Blood orange, mango, and pineapple
- Blood orange, raspberry, and Greek yogurt
- Blood orange, kale, and blueberry
Juice combinations
Try mixing blood orange juice with these fruit juices for flavorful blends:
- Blood orange and grapefruit
- Blood orange and strawberry
- Blood orange and cranberry
- Blood orange and pineapple
- Blood orange and pomegranate
Baked goods
Blood oranges can be incorporated into various baked goods along with complementary fruits like:
- Blood orange upside down cake with pineapple
- Blood orange tart with kiwi
- Blood orange muffins with raspberries
- Blood orange granola with mango and coconut
- Blood orange scones with cranberries and white chocolate
Savory dishes
Blood oranges aren’t just for desserts! Try pairing them with herbs and spices in recipes like:
- Blood orange chicken salad wrapped in bibb lettuce
- Blood orange chickpea salad pita sandwiches
- Blood orange avocado salsa with lime and cilantro
- Blood orange and beet salad with walnuts and feta
- Blood orange caramelized onion flatbreads with arugula
Cocktails
Blood oranges are a natural choice for vibrant cocktails. Complementary mix-ins include:
- Blood orange margarita with lime
- Blood orange mimosa with pineapple juice
- Blood orange paloma with grapefruit juice
- Blood orange spritz with prosecco
- Blood orange martini with cranberries
Preservation methods
To enjoy blood oranges year-round, you can preserve them with complementary fruits using these methods:
- Freezing – Puree blood oranges with mango or pineapple for sorbet, or freeze segments in syrup.
- Canning – Make blood orange marmalade with lemon, lime, and ginger.
- Drying – Dehydrate blood orange slices mixed with strawberries or raspberries.
- Juicing – Bottle blood orange juice blended with pomegranate or cranberry juice.
Nutrition
Blood oranges are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. When paired with other fruits, they create nutritious combinations like:
- Blood oranges and kiwifruit – High in immune-boosting vitamin C.
- Blood oranges and strawberries – Rich in heart-healthy flavonoids.
- Blood oranges and mangoes – Contains carotenoids for eye health.
- Blood oranges and pomegranates – Loaded with protective polyphenol antioxidants.
Growing regions
Some of the top regions producing blood oranges include:
- Italy – Especially Sicily, which grows the ‘Moro’ and ‘Sanguinello’ varieties.
- Spain – The Valencia region is known for ‘Sanguinelli’ blood oranges.
- United States – California produces the ‘Moro’ blood oranges.
- Australia – ‘Blood-fleshed’ oranges are grown in New South Wales.
- Greece – The ‘Sanguine’ or ‘Half-blood’ orange comes from Greece.
When buying blood oranges, look for fruit imported from these premier growing areas during peak season.
Organic vs conventional
Both organic and conventionally grown blood oranges can be suitable options:
- Organic – Grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. May have higher antioxidant levels.
- Conventional – Typically less expensive and more widely available. Rinse thoroughly before use.
Choose organic when possible, especially when consuming the peel. But conventional blood oranges are fine too if organic is unavailable or too costly.
Price
Expect to pay a premium for blood oranges compared to navel oranges:
| Fruit | Average Price per Pound |
|---|---|
| Blood Oranges | $3.99 |
| Navel Oranges | $1.99 |
This reflects the specialty status of blood oranges. While more expensive, their unique flavor and color make them worth the splurge during peak season.
Selection
When selecting blood oranges:
- Look for fruit that feels heavy for its size with smooth, bright orange skin.
- Avoid blood oranges with soft spots or dull, brown skin.
- Size is not an indicator of quality or flavor.
- Heirloom ‘Moro’ oranges tend to be smaller than commercial ‘Tarocco’ types.
Storage
Stored properly, blood oranges will last for 2-3 weeks:
- Leave at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Refrigerate in crisper drawer for 2-3 weeks.
- Wrap cut fruit tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- Juice can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Preparation
Blood oranges are very versatile in preparations:
- Eat Raw – Enjoy sliced, sectioned, or peeled.
- Juice – Use for drinking, cocktails, salad dressing, marinades.
- Zest – Grate the peel for baked goods, vinaigrettes, tea.
- Segments – Add to fruit salads, salsas, skewers.
- Bake – Use juice and zest in cakes, tarts, muffins, scones.
Pairings
Beyond fruit, blood oranges also pair deliciously with:
- Cheese – Fresh mozzarella, feta, goat, ricotta.
- Nuts – Pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios.
- Herbs – Mint, basil, thyme, rosemary.
- Spices – Cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, star anise.
- Other – Honey, vanilla, flowers like lavender.
Recipes
Some stellar recipes that showcase blood oranges with complementary fruits:
- Blood Orange Blueberry Muffins – Studded with juicy berries and a blood orange glaze.
- Blood Orange Pineapple margarita – Blended cocktail with a salty-sweet rim.
- Blood Orange Strawberry Spinach Salad – Savory salad with toasted walnuts and pomegranate vinaigrette.
- Blood Orange Cranberry Sauce – Festive condiment for meat and cheese boards.
- Blood Orange Basil Sorbet – Herbaceous, refreshing frozen dessert.
Substitutions
If blood oranges are unavailable, you can substitute:
- Navel oranges – Use twice the amount of juice to account for more mild flavor.
- Ruby red grapefruit – Has a bolder, more tart flavor.
- Cara cara oranges – Also have a pinkish flesh but milder taste.
- Pomegranate juice – For color rather than flavor.
- Raspberries – Provides vivid color but different flavor.
Conclusion
Blood oranges are a unique citrus variety that can be beautifully paired with many complementary fruits. Their stunning color, juicy flesh, sweet-tart flavor, and seasonal availability make them a high point of winter. Raw, cooked, or juiced, blood oranges add cheer to the colder months. Weave them into fruit salads, salsas, baked goods, drinks, and savory dishes for a pop of color and flavor.
