Tarocco blood oranges: benefits, season & buyer’s guide

What are Tarocco oranges and where do they come from

A variety of blood orange, or blood orange, and queens of Sicilian citrus fruits, Tarocco oranges are widely known throughout Italy and even abroad. For those wondering where the Tarocco orange comes from, the origin is mainly in eastern Sicily: from the Plain of Catania to Syracuse, it is a variety recognized with the name of “Blood Orange of Sicily PGI” which draws benefits and characteristics from the territories located on the slopes of Etna.

And it is precisely the Etna volcano that plays a fundamental role in the development of Tarocco oranges: because it is thanks to the microclimate and the temperature range typical of the area and volcanic soils that anthocyanins, responsible for the characteristic red pigmentation of this variety of oranges, develop.

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Why are oranges called Tarocco?

But where does this particular name come from and why are oranges called “Tarocco”? There are several hypotheses about it: for example, according to a popular legend, this name derives from a peasant who exclaimed “a tarocco!” meaning a wonder or a benevolent deception when he saw their characteristic coloring for the first time.

Another theory sees this particular name linked to the most famous cards, always with the idea of something surprising or “out of the ordinary”, just like this particular variety of orange.

The main varieties of Sicilian Tarocco oranges

Not all Tarocco oranges are the same and this term is indicated for a family that includes several clones such as the Nucellare, Gallo, Ippolito and Lempso. Each of these varieties has characteristics that make them different from each other and specific ripening times: here are in detail what are the main varieties of Tarocco orange.

Tarocco Ippolito: characteristics and maturation

One of the best-known varieties of oranges in this family are the Tarocco Ippolito. But what are the characteristics of the Tarocco Ippolito? The pulp is very pigmented and juicy: it is a seedless seedless, i.e. seedless, with an orange skin with red hues but smooth.

As for the maturation of the Tarocco Ippolito, the period runs from January to March, making them available in the first three months of the year, from January to March.

Ideal as a table orange due to its aesthetics and sweetness, the taste of this variety is very sweet with a low degree of acidity that contrasts. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, it can be eaten both alone and in wedges in salads but, being very juicy, it is also suitable for juices.

Tarocco Lempso: characteristics and harvest period

Among the other varieties of this family are the Tarocco Lempso. In terms of characteristics, Tarocco Lempso can be identified by a light orange flesh with light red veins, sweet and juicy, while the skin is super-pigmented with a deep red color.

In terms of ripening, Tarocco Lempso is a late and very resistant variety, which is available from January until March/April.

Perfect for ruby red juices, they are excellent for winter snacks with a very sweet taste with aromatic notes and almost no acidity.

Tarocco Gallo: the traditional variety of the beginning of the season

Finally, among the varieties of this family there is the Tarocco Gallo. These are the first of the season and one of the most widespread and traditional but also valuable varieties among those grown in Sicily. Among the characteristic signs of this variety, the Tarocco Gallo have an ovoid shape, with orange skin while the pulp is an intense orange color with ruby red streaks, especially towards the end of the season.

This variety is available for most of the winter season and has a very sweet taste with slight citrus notes. The pulp is seedless and this makes them perfect to be eaten in wedges: however, being a very juicy type of orange, it is also excellent for being juiced. Rich in anthocyanins and vitamin C, its peel can also be used, if left untreated.

Harvest calendar: when do Tarocco oranges ripen?

But when do Tarocco oranges ripen? The harvest calendar of this variety of oranges is very clear and can be defined on the basis of when you harvest Tarocco oranges in their already mentioned varieties. In particular:

• December: first varieties of Tarocco oranges, such as the Nucellare which is increasingly rare, and the Gallo;
• January-March: the heart of the season during which the highest organoleptic quality is reached, the main period of the Ippolito and Lempso varieties;
• March-April/May: late varieties, such as Meli and Sant’Alfio.

A necessary clarification concerns the difference between the harvest and the consumption of oranges. The dates indicated above are those of the harvest calendar, which in the case of Tenuta Donna Fina coincides with availability. Donna Fina products are always fresh, as they are not allowed to be stored in the refrigerator in the months prior to availability.

Sicilian Tarocco orange harvest calendar from December to May, with ripening periods Tarocco Gallo, Tarocco Ippolito and Tarocco Lempso.

How to recognize quality Tarocco oranges: 3 tips

For those who wonder how to recognize Tarocco oranges, there are three main criteria to consider and concern the scent, the stalk and the internal color: here’s what you need to pay attention to.

• Aroma: it must be intense and aromatic, it is a sign of freshness as well as the absence of wax treatment;
• Petiole: if present, it must be green and attached, never dry;

Interior color: Red streaks are not always visible from the outside or on the skin. However, it is important to clarify that they often also depend on the low temperatures to which the plants have been exposed and the level of temperature change that allows the development of anthocyanins.

How to recognize Tarocco oranges: intense aroma, bright green stalk and red internal color due to the temperature change of Etna

Beneficial properties and nutritional values

In terms of beneficial properties, Tarocco oranges are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. As for the former, the beneficial impact is mainly linked to the immune system and considering that ripening takes place during the peak of seasonal ailments, these citrus fruits are perfect for coming to support our immune defenses when it is most needed.

Antioxidants, on the other hand, are essential to counteract aging: in the case of blood oranges, a particular role is played by the aforementioned anthocyanins, responsible for the pigmentation typical of these varieties and very useful for both cardiovascular health and cellular protection.

And again, fibers are essential for the proper functioning of the digestive system as well as having a role in terms of weight control, contributing to the sense of satiety and for the reduction of glucose and cholesterol in the blood. Finally, Tarocco oranges are a low-calorie citrus fruit, with an average of 47 kcal per 100 g, making them a healthy snack rich in beneficial substances for the body.

Table or squeezed Tarocco oranges: which ones to choose?

Although they tend to be varieties that can be used both as table oranges and for juice, given the high juiciness of the Tarocco family of oranges, some are more suitable to be eaten whole and others to take the juice.

In general, it should be noted that although the internal quality is the same, at the time it is juiced, any orange loses properties in terms of vitamins and benefits. The real difference in choosing which oranges to squeeze and which to consume in purity is given by the size, i.e. the size of the fruit.

In particular, small oranges are more suitable for being squeezed since they have a high juice yield. On the contrary, large oranges are more suitable for the table, both because they are beautiful to look at and because they are easier to peel.

Discover our Sicilian Tarocco oranges

To say “Tarocco oranges” is to say Sicily: grown in the lands of origin of these varieties, the Sicilian Tarocco oranges of Tenuta Donna Fina are perfect specimens of Sicilian blood orange, reflecting its characteristics and quality.

Among the strengths of our Tarocco oranges, the 100% edible peel should certainly be mentioned. In fact, our products are not surface treated and can be consumed in their entirety, including the peel. As for tarocco oranges, the peel is a real source of benefits and the uses in the kitchen are many, such as the preparation of candied orange peel.

In addition, our products are collected the same day they are shipped: to ensure fast post-order shipping, we organize the departure of the products every Monday and Wednesday morning, so that they arrive within 48 hours to the customer, still keeping the characteristic scent intact.

Finally, at Tenuta Donna Fina we have developed a very specific ethics that is very keen to respect our land and the rhythms of nature: for this reason, our products follow the traditional maturation calendar without external forcing, also to guarantee products of better quality and safety to our customers.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Tarocco oranges