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Nature

Blood Orange

What is blood orange?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Type Sweet orange variety[2]
Flesh color Red to crimson[3]
Alternative name Raspberry orange[2]
Pigment Anthocyanins[1]
Scientific name Citrus × sinensis[2]

A blood orange is a variety of sweet orange with red to crimson flesh, sometimes called a raspberry orange. Its color comes from anthocyanin pigments, and it has a raspberry-like, somewhat tart flavor.

Context

Blood oranges are a type of sweet orange with distinctive red to crimson flesh, sometimes called raspberry oranges [2]. The red color is due to anthocyanin pigments, which can also appear in the peel [1]. They are typically grown in Mediterranean climates with warm days and cold nights, such as in Sicily [1]. The flavor is often described as having a raspberry-like finish and a somewhat tart taste [4].

Documented claims

  • The red color of blood oranges comes from anthocyanin pigments in the flesh, and sometimes in the peel. [1]
  • Blood oranges have a raspberry-like finish and a somewhat tart flavor. [4]

Related

Best Fruit for Smoothies: Expert Guide for Health GoalsBlood orange is a fruit, and this article discusses fruits suitable for smoothies, which may interest readers looking for recipe ideas.

Questions and answers

What is special about blood orange?

Its flesh is red to crimson, colored by anthocyanin pigments, and it has a raspberry-like flavor [1].

What does blood orange taste like?

It has a somewhat tart flavor with a raspberry-like finish [4].

Is blood orange healthier than orange?

The sources do not compare health benefits between blood oranges and regular oranges.

Sources

  1. BLOOD ORANGE definition | Cambridge English Dictionary — dictionary.cambridge.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Blood orange — merriam-webster.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. BLOOD ORANGE Definition & Meaning — dictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. What Is a Blood Orange and What Does It Taste Like? — allrecipes.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature