Are your blood oranges bad? Here's how to tell! - Plant Based Narrative (2024)

Blood oranges are citrus fruits that are known for having a sweet and tart flavor. They have a gorgeous deep red color instead of our standard orange regular oranges. Anthocyanin’s are present in blood oranges, which is what helps produce their beautiful color. Since they are both gorgeous and delicious, they are most often used in desserts, salads, and juices. Blood oranges grow on an orange tree and are in season from December to April when you can most commonly find them in grocery stores.

Signs of spoilage:

Good quality blood oranges should appear bright and slightly firm, like other kinds of fresh oranges. They have thick peels to protect the delicious fruit on the inside. Here are some signs that you have rotten oranges:

• Discoloration:If your oranges have brown or black spots, they are mostly likely past their peak in freshness.
• Mushy or soft spots:Your oranges should have some “give” to them. However, if you can easily push your thumb into it the orange, it has gone bad.
• Signs of mold:If you see white or green fuzzy spots, you have a bad orange. These are signs of mold and should not be eaten. Note that an orange mold can quickly contaminate the other oranges it’s touching. Be sure to check all of your oranges for spots of mold.
• Hard skin:If the deep red flesh has discolored and becomes hard, this is a sign that the orange has dried out. If you live in a dry climate, keep your citrus in the fridge to keep this from happening.

What are blood oranges?

Blood oranges, also known as raspberry oranges are unlike the standard navel oranges or cara cara oranges. They have a beautiful deep red flesh and inner red pigment. Anthocyanin’s are present in the oranges which are not typically found in citrus but are often in flowers. They are in season during the winter months from December – April and can be found in most grocery stores. They have several health benefits including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, and potassium. With being in the citrus family they of course are great for your immune system and cold prevention. Their vibrant red color and tartness make this excellent for desserts, fresh juice, salads, or whole fruit as a snack.

When are blood oranges in season?

You may be able to find them year round in a local grocery store. But blood oranges are in season from December – April, this is when they will have the best flavor!

How can you tell if a blood orange is good?

The best way to tell if this favorite fruit is fresh is by checking its skin. The orange peel should have a vibrant color and be slightly firm, just like other types of oranges. Look out for moldy spots, hard skin, discoloration, and mushy spots.

Should blood oranges feel soft?

Gve the blood oranges a gentle squeeze before purchasing them, they should have a slight “give’ to them when you press on the skin. But if your finger or thumb collapses into the range it is too soft. A good sign of fresh oranges is a shiny bright skin without dark spots, mold, or mushy spots.

How to store blood oranges?

The best way to store blood oranges is to keep them on the counter top at room temperature in a basket or container with air flow. Make sure they are out of direct sunlight to longate the shelf life of oranges. On warm days or in warm moist climates, they could become mushy quickly. Store them as whole fruits or fresh cut in an airtight container in the refridgator. Similar for a dry climate, oranges can become hard and dry out quickly. If you live in a dry climate, keep them in the refridgator as fresh cut fruit in an air tight container or whole oranges. Putting them in cold storage will keep them fesher longer!