Moro Blood Oranges

Estimated Inventory, 15 lbs : 13.12
This item was last sold on : 03/13/25

• 87 Featured Restaurants

• View where this article is trending worldwide

• See Recipes

• Learn More

• Questions & Feedback

Description/Taste

Moro blood oranges are medium to large in size, averaging 5-8 centimeters in diameter, and are obovoid to globular in shape. The rind is orange, kissed with red blush, and has a leathery texture, pebbled with prominent oil glands. Underneath the surface of the rind, there is a medium-thick pith that is white, spongy, and tightly adhered to the flesh. The flesh ranges in color from orange with red blush, to maroon, crimson, to a saturated, almost black hue, depending on the climate that it is grown in. The flesh is also soft, juicy, and nearly seedless, divided into 10-11 segments by thin membranes. Moro blood oranges have a slightly sweet, floral fragrance and a sweet-tart taste with notes of cherries and raspberries. The oranges with the deepest pigmentation will exhibit more intense sweet berry notes characteristic to blood oranges.

Seasons/Availability

Moro blood oranges are available in the winter through late spring.

Current Facts

Moro blood oranges, botanically classified as Citrus sinensis, are an early season Italian variety that grows on a highly ornamental, evergreen tree that belongs to the Rutaceae or citrus family. Their color is due to a pigment called anthocyanin, not usually present in citrus but common in other red fruits and flowers. Fluctuations in temperature greatly affect the degree to which blood oranges develop their characteristic blush. Though the Moro can vary greatly in this respect, no other blood orange variety is known to exhibit such deeply red colored fruits. Moro blood oranges are the most common variety in the United States and are favored by chefs for their dark hues and sweet-tart flavor, used to accent savory dishes, cooked into marmalades, and blended into salad dressings.

Nutritional Value

Moro blood oranges are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, thiamine, dietary fiber and most notably antioxidants supplied by its anthocyanin content.

Applications

Moro blood oranges are both intensely flavored and colored, adding a unique citrus flavor as well as visual appeal to a dish. They are often used raw and can be sliced and mixed into parfaits, desserts, salads, salsa, and garnished over seafood and poultry. Moro blood oranges also stand up well in cooked applications and may be paired with sweet or savory flavors. The classic Maltaise sauce, a traditional hollandaise spiked with the zest and juice of blood orange, pairs well with seafood and vegetables such as asparagus and broccoli. Moro blood orange juice can also be served as a stand-alone juice, used in cocktails with prosecco, cooked into syrups, sorbets, marmalades, compotes, sauces, and vinaigrettes, or used to flavor cheesecake, pound cake, or muffins. Moro blood oranges pair well with meats such as duck, poultry, pork, and seafood such as Mahi Mahi, other citrus, mint, tarragon, soft cheeses, shallots, arugula, roasted beets, fennel, shallot, Dijon mustard, Greek yogurt, honey, rolled oats, pistachios, sweetened coconut, mango, cinnamon, avocado, ginger, lime, mint, and cilantro. They will keep up to one week when stored at room temperature and up to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

The word Moro may be traced to the Moorish influence in the Mediterranean region during the 8th century. Originally a term used to describe the indigenous people of Africa, Moro became a common word used to describe something with dark pigmentation. The red-tinged citrus quickly adopted this same nomenclature.

Geography/History

It is believed the first natural mutation of the Moro blood orange occurred from a sanguinello moscato variety in the mid 20th century in Sicily. In its native Mediterranean growing region, the Moro makes up one-third of the local citrus market. Outside of Italy, California is a large producer of the variety along with Texas, Florida, and Arizona, and the variety was first introduced to the United States in 1908 by Frank Meyer of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Javier Plascencia (Animalon)	Bonita CA	619-295-3172
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
The Seabird Resort	Oceanside CA	951-704-9703
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club	San Diego CA	619-816-8319
Venissimo Cheese North Park	San Diego CA	619-376-1834
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions	San Diego CA	619-501-1878
Kinme Omakase	San Diego CA	619-231-0700
Top of the Market	San Diego CA	619-234-4867
Hash House A Go Go	San Diego CA	951-764-0605
Finca North Park	San Diego CA	619-581-3003
Snake Oil Cocktail Company LLC	San Diego CA	619-754-4041
Seneca Bar	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
The Sushi Stand	San Diego CA	619-394-2395
Catania La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-551-5105
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Venissimo Cheese Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-847-9616
Little Frenchie (Bar)	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
University Club	San Diego CA	619-234-5200
Tap Room Beer Co. (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-539-7738
Savory Moment (1)	Carlsbad CA	619-633-8863

the other 67...

The Kitchen at MCASD	La Jolla CA	619-894-2051
La Dona (Bar)	San Diego CA	858-352-8134
Revolution Roasters (Carlsbad)	Carlsbad CA	760-330-6827
Monarch (Bar)	Del Mar CA	619-308-6500
A & M catering	San Diego CA	206-802-8320
Marriott Marina Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-234-1500
Moniker Coffee Company (Bar)	San Diego CA	916-945-6721
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Dija Mara	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Ju-Ichi	San Diego CA	619-800-2203
The Lion Share	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria	San Diego CA	619-220-0692
Lost Cause Meadery	SAN DIEGO CA	858-245-1911
Bar Same Same (Bar)	Carlsbad CA	760-470-9143
Poseidon on the Beach	Del Mar CA	858-755-9345
Kairoa Brewing Company	San Diego CA	858-735-0051
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
Copper Kings	San Marcos CA	323-810-1662
Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-491-0708
Slowly	San Diego CA	858-352-6080
Gelato 101	Encinitas CA	760-487-5272
Sugar Bear Enterprises	San Diego CA	925-383-3623
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC	San Marcos CA	508-320-6644
Junkyard Sports Bar and Grill (Bar)	Oceanside CA	760-407-8500
Waverly (Bar)	Cardiff CA	619-244-0416
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering	San Diego CA	619-436-7006
Cardellino	San Diego CA	619-722-3398
Bar Same Same (Kitchen)	Carlsbad CA	760-470-9143
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Cliffhanger Cafe Menu	San Diego CA	858-452-9858
Cody's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0040
The Flower Pot Cafe and Bakery	La Jolla CA	858-454-5453
The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Huntress	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Tahona (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Alila Marea (VAGA Bar)	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
Mission Bay Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-201-7551
Bayhill Tavern	San Diego CA	858-288-6923
Barra Oliba	San Diego CA	610-310-5110
Nobu	San Diego CA	619-814-4124
Cucina Enoteca (Bar)	Del Mar CA	619-239-2222
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Herb & Wood	San Diego CA	520-205-1288
Boujiemana	San Diego CA	415-710-0510
The Guild Hotel	San Diego CA	619-764-5108
Cosecha Local		646-132-5944
San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Pendry SD (Provisional)	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
Revolution Roasters	Oceanside CA	760-330-6827
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Bernini's Bistro	La Jolla CA	858-454-5013
Pizza Cassette	San Diego CA	802-310-5601
Lumi	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Carruth Cellars Urban Winery	San Diego CA	619-546-9300
Shelter / Saloon	Encinitas CA	858-382-4047
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Rose Café	Carlsbad CA	310-399-0711
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Mister A's Pastry	San Diego CA	619-239-1377
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Moro Blood Oranges. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Eat The Gains		Blood Orange Chia Pudding
Fork Knife Swoon		Creamy Coconut and Blood Orange Popsicles
Sprinkle Bakes		Blood Orange Winter Watercolor Cake
Eat the Love		Blueberry Muffins with Blood Oranges
Saveur		Blood Orange and Onion Salad
A Cookie Named Desire		Blood Orange Crème Brûlée
Erica's Recipes		Blood Orange and Dark Chocolate Brownies
A Brown Table		Blood Orange Curd with Honey Bourbon
Eating Out Loud		Moro Blood Orange 'Lemon' Bars
Dagmar's Kitchen		Blood Orange, Smoked Salmon and Edamame Salad with Mint Dressing

the other 82...

Eat the Love		Blood Orange Lemon Vanilla Infused Shaker Pie
Wife Mama Foodie		Blood Orange Spelt Muffins
A Beautiful Mess		Blood Orange Bloody Mary
Seasons And Suppers		Dutch Baby With Blood Orange Syrup
The Beeroness		Drunk French Toast Sticks with Beer Blood Orange Syrup
Domestic Gothess		Chocolate, Olive Oil And Rosemary Cake With Candied Blood Oranges
The Little Epicurian		Blood Orange Donuts
Good Food		Blood Orange and Champagne Sorbet
The Worktop		Blood Orange Whipped Butter
Wry Toast Eats		Hawaiian-Style Fish Tacos with Winter Citrus Pico
Fabtastic Life		Glazed Blood Orange Blondies
Not Quite Nigella		Upside Down Blood Orange Cake
A Cozy Kitchen		Blood Orange Poppy Seed Scones
Baking a Moment		Rice Pudding with Blood Oranges in Vanilla Cardamom Syrup
A Cozy Kitchen		Buckwheat Pancakes (Dairy-Free-,Gluten-Free but not Gross)
The View from Great Island		Roasted Chicken with Allspice and Citrus
Baby Bird's Farm and Cocina		Roasted Beets, Radishes, Squash and Green Beans with Orange-Dill Vinaigratte
What's Gaby Cooking		Citrus Avocado Salad
My Recipes		Citrus Salad with Spiced Vanilla Syrup
Getty Stewart		Orange Celery Salad
Good Food		Blood Orange, Fennel and Prawn Salad
Honest Cooking		Brandy Dipped Citrus Salad
A Calculated Whisk		Blood Orange Mascarpone Panna Cotta
A Family Feast		Tuscan Kale Salad with Oranges, Currants and Feta
A Zesty Bite		Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Fooduzzi		Blood Orange Ginger Juice
Clean Eating Non-Hippe		Jeweled Winter Salad with Blood Oranges and Avocado
Wife Mama Foodie		Blood Orange Poppy Seed Doughnuts
A Brown Table		Toasted Pistachio Cake with Blood Orange Sauce
Tatyana's Everyday Food		Vanilla Citrus Tart
Fox and Briar		Blood Orange Margaritas with Smoky Salt
A Cookie Named Desire		Blood Orange Chocolate Cupcakes
Always Order Dessert		Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass in a Blood Orange Butter Sauce
Tutti Dolci		Blood Orange & Almond Scones
A Beautiful Plate		Small Batch Almond Raspberry Cakes
Dagmar's Kitchen		Almond, Millet and Cheddar Scones with rosemary Citrus Compote
Shockingly Delicious		Dutch Baby Oven Pancake with Blueberries and Blood Oranges
A Cookie Named Desire		Blood Orange Cream-Filled Doughnuts
Cooking on the Weekends		Honey Jalapeno Citrus Salad
Sugar & Soul		Spicy Blood Orange Lil' Smokies
Cooking on the Weekends		Blood Orange-Turmeric Upside Down Pound Cake
The View from Great Island		Asparagus Roasted with Blood Oranges
The Pretty Bee		Blood Orange Banana Smoothie
The Cake Blog		Raspberry Blood Orange Cake
A Beautiful Plate		Blood Orange Almond Chocolate Bark
Brooklyn Homemaker		Beet and Blood Orange Bundt Cake
Fooduzzi		Blood Orange Mojitos
Fashionable Foods		Sriracha Glazed Salmon with Spiralized Celery Root Salad
Blahnik Baker		Blood Orange Moscow Mule
Vegan Huggs		Blood Orange Margaritas
Salt and Lavender		Spiralized Raw Beet Salad with Blood Oranges
A Brown Table		Rosemary and Star Anise Infused Blood Orange Ice Cream
Tarladalal		Pistachio Meringue Cake with Citrus, Candied Kumquats, & Cardamom Caramel Sauce
A Beautiful Mess		Blood Orange Lemon Fizz
Whitney Bond		Blood Orange Baked Salmon & Carrots
A Brown Table		Polenta Coconut Almond Baked Pudding with Brunt Sugar Blood Orange Sauce
Garlic & Zest		Tropical Blood Orange Smoothie
A Brown Table		Goan Style Meatball Subs with Blood Orange Aioli
A Beautiful Plate		Triple-Citrus Tart with Chocolate Crust and Berries
Preppy Kitchen		Blood Orange Margarita
Brooklyn Homemaker		Winter Salad with Spiced Pork Chops
Sprinkle Bakes		Orange Yogurt Loaf Cake
Giraffes Can Bake		Blood Orange Mini Tarts
Call Me Cupcake		Blood Orange Upside Down Cake
Shockingly Delicious		Edamame Salad with Persimmon, Peppers and Pine Nuts {Vegan, Gluten-Free}
How Sweet Eats		Creamy Winter Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding with Blood Orange Syrup
A Cookie Named Desire		Blood Orange Curd
Good Food		Blood Orange Jelly
A Beautiful Mess		Simple & Comforting Vegan Shepherd's Pie
Cooking on the Weekends		Stone Fruit Flowers and Winter Citrus Carpaccio
A Cookie Named Desire		Blood Orange Ice Cream with Raspberries
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Easy Puff Pastry Blood Orange Galettes
Cafe Johnsonia		Blood Orange Asparagus Salad with Ginger Miso Dressing
One Vanilla Bean		Blood Orange and Meyer Lemon Macarons
Snappy Gourmet		Homemade Blood Orange Curd
Sugar and Charm		Lemonade Mimosas with Blood Orange
The Baker Chick		Blood Orange Curd Bars
Nutmeg Nanny		Blood Orange Ginger Margarita
Thyme & Love		Vegan Blood Orange Donuts
Nyssa's Kitchen		Blood Orange and Cardamom Pistachio No Bake Greek Yogurt Cheesecake
Garlic & Zest		Sweet Heat Sunshine Salad
Local Haven		Blood Orange Sparkling Vodka