




Moro Blood Oranges
Inventory, 15 lbs : 22.81
This item was last sold on : 03/25/23
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.
Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
Oak and Elixir | Carlsbad CA | 760-473-1097 |
Born & Raised (Events) | San Diego CA | 619-550-5412 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Village Vino | San Diego CA | 619-546-8466 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
Madam Bonnies | San Diego CA | 619-432-1383 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Moniker Coffee Company (Bar) | San Diego CA | 541-450-2402 |
Venissimo Cheese North Park | San Diego CA | 619-376-1834 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
Shelter / Saloon | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Alejandra's Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 858-500-5075 |
The Holding Company | San Diego CA | 619-341-5898 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Little Lion | San Diego CA | 619-519-4079 |
Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
Verbena Kitchen LLC | San Diego CA | 609-458-1672 |
Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
The Crack Shack-San Diego (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-269-9036 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Fifty Two Remedies Bar | San Diego CA | 858-707-7016 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
Hotel Palomar- Salt Box Bar | San Diego CA | 619-515-4062 |
Monarch (Bar) | Del Mar CA | 619-308-6500 |
Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Urbana Mexican Gastronomy | San Diego CA | 949-413-3352 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
The Pearl Hotel Bar | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Polite Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-677-3784 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
Mister A's Pastry | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
Hotel Palomar-Salt Box Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-515-3003 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Fresh Sushi Catering | Carlsbad CA | 858-344-7098 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
Izakaya Maize/Rabih Sus | La Mesa CA | 619-395-6383 |
Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Moro Blood Oranges. One

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![]() About 8 days ago, 3/18/23 Sharer's comments : At Atkins Nursery ![]() ![]()
Bernard Ranches
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 40 days ago, 2/15/23 Sharer's comments : Moro Blood Oranges from Bernard Ranches ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 42 days ago, 2/12/23 Sharer's comments : Moro Blood Oranges from Friends Ranches ![]() About 43 days ago, 2/11/23 Sharer's comments : At Rex Ranch ![]() About 71 days ago, 1/15/23 Sharer's comments : at R&L Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 91 days ago, 12/26/22 Sharer's comments : Moro Blood Oranges from Bernard Ranches ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 105 days ago, 12/11/22 Sharer's comments : Moro Blood Oranges from Country Rhodes Farms ![]() About 166 days ago, 10/11/22 ![]() ![]() About 315 days ago, 5/15/22 Sharer's comments : Moro Blood Oranges from Dickinson Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Farmers Market
Near San Diego, California, United States600 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States About 317 days ago, 5/14/22 Sharer's comments : Blood oranges of California ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 330 days ago, 5/01/22 ![]() ![]()
Valley Center Growers Inc.
Near Poway, California, United StatesEscondido, CA About 345 days ago, 4/16/22 ![]() ![]() About 364 days ago, 3/27/22 Sharer's comments : Moro Blood Oranges from Dickinson Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Central Market
Near Austin, Texas, United StatesAustin, Texas About 377 days ago, 3/14/22 ![]() ![]()
Farmer Steve
Near Poway, California, United StatesSan Diego County, CA About 379 days ago, 3/12/22 ![]() ![]()
Mud Creek Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Paula, CA 805-525-0758 About 404 days ago, 2/16/22 ![]() ![]()
R&L Farms
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesRamona, CA About 406 days ago, 2/13/22 ![]() About 413 days ago, 2/06/22 Sharer's comments : Moro Blood Oranges from Dickinson Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 665 days ago, 5/31/21 ![]() ![]()
Bernard Ranches
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 719 days ago, 4/07/21 |