Tarocco Fire Blood Oranges
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Tarocco Fire blood oranges (Citrus × sinensis) from Sicily — the variety widely regarded as the finest of the blood orange family. Tarocco are distinguished by their deep crimson flesh, a result of anthocyanin pigments that develop in response to the sharp temperature swings between warm Sicilian days and cool nights at the base of Mount Etna. The flavour is rich and complex: sweeter than most blood orange varieties, with an intense citrus brightness balanced by subtle berry-like undertones — closer to raspberry than to a standard orange. The juice is deep red and visually striking.
Blood oranges are one of the defining seasonal ingredients of the Italian winter. Their window is relatively short, typically running from mid-winter through to early spring, and the intensity of the flesh colour and flavour varies through the season — the deepest crimson and most concentrated flavour tends to come in the middle of the harvest. The Tarocco variety is naturally low in acidity compared to other blood oranges like the Moro or Sanguinello, which is what gives it that distinctively sweet, accessible character. They eat well fresh — segmented into salads, sliced alongside fennel and olive oil, or simply as they are — and their juice is exceptional for cocktails, sorbets and baking. The zest is intensely aromatic and adds a vivid citrus note to cakes, dressings and syrups.
Origin: Sicily, Italy
Ingredients: Fresh Tarocco Fire blood oranges (Citrus × sinensis)
Storage: Store at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for longer storage. Bring to room temperature before eating for the best flavour.
