Moro Blood Oranges

Estimated Inventory, 15 lbs : 11.77
This item was last sold on : 11/21/24

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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.

Cloak and Petal Bar	San Diego CA	619-501-5505
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Kitchens For Good	San Diego CA	619-450-4040
A & M catering	San Diego CA	206-802-8320
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Manna	Encinitas CA	510-366-3057
Sugar Bear Enterprises	San Diego CA	925-383-3623
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co.	San Diego CA	619-368-3705
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering	San Diego CA	619-436-7006
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego	San Diego CA	619-232-1234
Farmer and The Seahorse	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
Therapie	San Diego CA	858-201-7551
Del Road Food Hall Bar	San Diego CA	619-269-7187
Communal Coffee	San Diego CA	619-305-9525
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Tribute Pizza	San Diego CA	858-220-0030
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
Boujiemana	San Diego CA	415-710-0510
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172

the other 85...

Graze	San Diego CA	619-839-9852
Cliffhanger Cafe Menu	San Diego CA	858-452-9858
C 2 C	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
Lost Cause Meadery	SAN DIEGO CA	858-245-1911
Campo Gourmet	San Diego	619-719-6924
Baja Cavi	Lomas de Valle Verde 22810	619-295-3172
Continental Catering Inc	La Mesa CA	907-738-9264
Madi	San Diego CA	320-491-1217
University Club	San Diego CA	619-234-5200
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Palmys	San Diego CA	858-886-7111
Fresh Sushi Catering	Carlsbad CA	858-344-7098
Bang on 5th	San Diego CA	619-677-5650
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
The Flower Pot Cafe and Bakery	La Jolla CA	858-454-5453
Animae (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Seven Seas Roasting Co. SB	Solana Beach CA	619-261-7275
Bar Same Same (Bar)	Carlsbad CA	760-470-9143
WineSellar & Brasserie	San Diego CA	858-450-9557
Kairoa Brewing Company	San Diego CA	858-735-0051
Little Frenchie (Bar)	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
La Dona (Bar)	San Diego CA	858-352-8134
Campfire	Carlsbad CA	760-637-5121
Always Hungry Grocery & Goods	Oceanside CA	215-990-3764
The Corner Drafthouse (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-255-2631
Manchester Grand Hyatt Sallys	San Diego CA	619-232-1234
Shelter / Saloon	Encinitas CA	858-382-4047
Marriott Marina Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-234-1500
Wildland	Carlsbad CA	619-385-0914
Bernardo Heights Country Club	San Diego CA	858-487-4022
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Graze Bar	San Diego CA	619-839-9852
Monarch (Bar)	Del Mar CA	619-308-6500
Solare Ristorante Lounge	San Diego CA	619-270-9670
Bayhill Tavern	San Diego CA	858-288-6923
Seneca	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Gravity Heights Mission Valley - Bar	San Diego CA	619-384-5993
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Lafayette Hotel - Quixote	San Diego CA	619-296-2101
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Buckboard Catering & Events	El Cajon CA	619-334-4400
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines	La Jolla CA	858-450-4581
Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
Nobu	San Diego CA	619-814-4124
The Pearl Hotel Bar	San Diego CA	877-732-7573
Cody's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0040
Town & Country San Diego	San Diego CA	619-291-7131
Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company	San Diego CA	619-683-7787
Dija Mara	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Fairmont Grand Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-314-1975
Top of the Market	San Diego CA	619-234-4867
Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-491-0708
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center	National City CA	619-434-4281
Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant)	San Diego CA	858-675-8505
Bahia Resort Hotel	San Diego CA	858-488-0551
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Sago	Encinitas CA	858-382-4047
Gold Finch	San Diego CA	619-804-2051
Seneca Bar	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Venissimo Cheese Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-847-9616
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
Alchemy Roasters	San Diego CA	916-718-2606
Tahona (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Panama 66 (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-702-6373
Cardellino (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-722-3398
Camino Riviera Bar	San Diego CA	619-685-3881
Shogun Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-226-8030
Revolution Roasters	Oceanside CA	760-330-6827
Shoreside Support Boat	San Diego CA	704-277-7929
Lucky Bolt	San Diego CA	662-832-3638
Mission Bay Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-201-7551
Pacific Yacht Agents	Los Angeles CA	808-214-0970
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Barra Oliba	San Diego CA	610-310-5110
Catania La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-551-5105
Moniker Coffee Company (Bar)	San Diego CA	916-945-6721
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282
El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria	San Diego CA	619-220-0692
Vertex - Merryfield Row	San Diego CA	619-405-8950
Bleu Boheme	San Diego CA	619-255-4167

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Moro Blood Oranges. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Clean Eating Non-Hippe		Jeweled Winter Salad with Blood Oranges and Avocado
Tarladalal		Pistachio Meringue Cake with Citrus, Candied Kumquats, & Cardamom Caramel Sauce
Blahnik Baker		Blood Orange Moscow Mule
Good Food		Blood Orange, Fennel and Prawn Salad
Wife Mama Foodie		Blood Orange Poppy Seed Doughnuts
Local Haven		Blood Orange Sparkling Vodka
Eat the Love		Blueberry Muffins with Blood Oranges
Fashionable Foods		Sriracha Glazed Salmon with Spiralized Celery Root Salad
Fooduzzi		Blood Orange Ginger Juice
A Beautiful Mess		Simple & Comforting Vegan Shepherd's Pie

the other 82...

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