What is the difference between blood oranges and navel oranges?

Complete Guide

Difference between Red and Blonde Oranges
Complete Guide Sicilian PGI vs Organic Navel

PGI Tarocco red oranges vs organic Navel blonde oranges. Color, taste, season, health benefits.

Red vs. Blonde Oranges: A Complete Comparison

Characteristic PGI Red Oranges Navel Blonde Oranges
Pulp Color Intense Red
(anthocyanins) 		Yellow/Orange
(beta-carotene)
Harvest Period December–May October–May
Taste Intense
sweet-sour 		Sweet and juicy
Health Benefits Antioxidants ↑
Heart + immunity		 Digestion
Cholesterol ↓
Certification PGI Sicily Bioagricert

The varieties of red and blonde oranges from AranceBio

In our orchard in eastern Sicily, we cultivate appreciated varieties of both red and blonde oranges, certified organic.

Sicilian Red Oranges

  • Organic Tarocco PGI: our flagship orange, orange-red pulp, very juicy, balanced sweet/tart taste.
  • Organic Moro: intense red pulp, strong flavor.
Buy Organic PGI Tarocco

Blonde Oranges

  • Organic Washington Navel: seedless, sweet and fragrant.
  • Organic Lane Late: late variety, extends the season.
  • Organic Cara Cara: pinkish flesh, fine aromatic profile.
  • Organic Vaniglia: very sweet, low acidity.
Buy Organic Navel

Optimal Use: Juice vs Table

PGI Red Oranges

  • Juice: red color, antioxidants
  • Table: segments for salads
  • Cooking: zest for jams, candied fruit
  • Juice 65° Brix balanced sweet-sour

Navel Blonde Oranges

  • Table: seedless, easy to peel
  • Juice: abundant, sweet juice
  • Children's snack: fleshy pulp
  • Salads: sweet segments

Ripening Calendar

The periods indicate the main ripening window in eastern Sicily.

Variety Type Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
Organic Tarocco PGI Sicilian Red Orange PGI — Early Peak Peak Late Late
Organic Moro Sicilian Red Orange — — Early Peak Late —
Organic Navel Blonde table orange Early Peak Peak Late — —
Organic Washington Navel Seedless blonde — Early Peak Peak — —
Organic Lane Late Late blonde — — Early Peak Late Late
Organic Cara Cara Pink-fleshed blonde — Early Peak — — —
Organic Vaniglia Sweet blonde, low acidity — Early Peak — — —