Moro Blood Oranges

Estimated Inventory, 15 lbs : 52.82
This item was last sold on : 01/21/25

• 91 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.

Little Frenchie (Bar)	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Monarch School (Nutrition Lab)	San Diego CA	619-804-1766
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Pacifica Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-792-0505
Mission Pacific	Oceanside CA	760-450-7864
Dija Mara 2021	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Kairoa Brewing Company	San Diego CA	858-735-0051
Poseidon on the Beach	Del Mar CA	858-755-9345
Bar Same Same (Bar)	Carlsbad CA	760-470-9143
Cliffhanger Cafe Menu	San Diego CA	858-452-9858
Urban Corps Charter School	San Diego CA	619-235-6884
Revolution Roasters (Carlsbad)	Carlsbad CA	760-330-6827
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.)	San Diego CA	619-962-5935
The Pearl Hotel Bar	San Diego CA	877-732-7573
A & M catering	San Diego CA	206-802-8320
Bayhill Tavern	San Diego CA	858-288-6923
Revolution Roasters	Oceanside CA	760-330-6827
Monarch (Bar)	Del Mar CA	619-308-6500
31ThirtyOne by Deckman	San Diego CA	619-495-9814

the other 71...

The Guild Hotel	San Diego CA	619-764-5108
Mister A's Pastry	San Diego CA	619-239-1377
Cody's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0040
El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria	San Diego CA	619-220-0692
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Tahona (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
El Sueno	San Diego CA	619-972-6286
Cardellino (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-722-3398
Mothership	San Diego CA	858-342-3609
Venissimo Cheese North Park	San Diego CA	619-376-1834
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Lucky Bolt	San Diego CA	662-832-3638
Solare Ristorante Lounge	San Diego CA	619-270-9670
The Flavor Chef (Bar)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Madison	San Diego CA	619-822-3465
La Dona (Bar)	San Diego CA	858-352-8134
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
Barra Oliba	San Diego CA	610-310-5110
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Hash House A Go Go	San Diego CA	951-764-0605
Top of the Market	San Diego CA	619-234-4867
Graze	San Diego CA	619-839-9852
Westin Gaslamp Quarter	San Diego CA	619-239-2200
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Venissimo Cheese Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-847-9616
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Sushi Nekosan	La Jolla CA	858-999-0999
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
Kona Kai Resort and Marina	San Diego CA	619-221-8000
The Lion Share	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Tap Room Beer Co.	San Diego CA	619-539-7738
GoodOnYa	Encinitas CA	949-2953145
Counterpoint	San Diego CA	619-564-6722
Jack & Giulio's	San Diego CA	619-294-2074
Sugar Bear Enterprises	San Diego CA	925-383-3623
Marriott Marina Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-234-1500
Seneca Bar	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Nobu	San Diego CA	619-814-4124
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Catania La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-551-5105
Campo Gourmet	San Diego	619-719-6924
Coco Maya by Miss Bs	San Diego CA	858-245-3780
Wayfarer Bread	La Jolla CA	805-709-0964
Herb & Wood	San Diego CA	520-205-1288
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Moniker Coffee Company (Bar)	San Diego CA	916-945-6721
Viewpoint Brewing Co.	Del Mar CA	858-205-9835
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
Shelter / Saloon	Encinitas CA	858-382-4047
Cloak and Petal Bar	San Diego CA	619-501-5505
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
University Club	San Diego CA	619-234-5200
Copper Kings	San Marcos CA	323-810-1662
The Seabird Resort	Oceanside CA	951-704-9703
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289
Dija Mara	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Ju-Ichi	San Diego CA	619-800-2203
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Graze Bar	San Diego CA	619-839-9852
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-491-0708
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Adobo House	San Diego CA	619-990-8340
Bernardo Heights Country Club	San Diego CA	858-487-4022
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Lost Cause Meadery	SAN DIEGO CA	858-245-1911

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Moro Blood Oranges. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Fork Knife Swoon		Creamy Coconut and Blood Orange Popsicles
Fashionable Foods		Sriracha Glazed Salmon with Spiralized Celery Root Salad
Call Me Cupcake		Blood Orange Upside Down Cake
The Baker Chick		Blood Orange Curd Bars
Dagmar's Kitchen		Almond, Millet and Cheddar Scones with rosemary Citrus Compote
One Vanilla Bean		Blood Orange and Meyer Lemon Macarons
Shockingly Delicious		Edamame Salad with Persimmon, Peppers and Pine Nuts {Vegan, Gluten-Free}
The View from Great Island		Roasted Chicken with Allspice and Citrus
The Little Epicurian		Blood Orange Donuts
Fox and Briar		Blood Orange Margaritas with Smoky Salt

the other 82...

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