TAROCCO ORANGES

Tarocco oranges are among the most celebrated and best-loved blood orange varieties in Sicily, renowned for their sweet, juicy and moderately pigmented flesh, rich in anthocyanins and vitamin C. They are considered the “queens” of Sicilian blood oranges thanks to their unique aroma and their prestigious PGI status.

The Tarocco season generally runs from December to April, with some late varieties available until May. Early, mid-season and late sub-varieties mean they can be enjoyed through much of winter and spring.

The main Tarocco varieties are:

Tarocco Gallo, sweet and juicy, ideal as a table orange.

Tarocco Ippolito, with a more intense pigmentation.

Tarocco Lempso, sweet, delicate and very juicy.

Tarocco Meli, a late variety, available until May.

Other clones also enrich this family of oranges.

Tarocco oranges have a sweet, balanced and slightly tart flavor, with fresh aromas reminiscent of red berries and Mediterranean notes.

Tarocco oranges generally contain few seeds, and can be completely seedless, especially in the varieties selected for fresh eating, though the occasional seed cannot be ruled out entirely.

They are ideal for both: as a table orange they are sweet and juicy, perfect in segments; for juicing they give an excellent yield, with an orange-red juice and a rich flavor.

They are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, fiber, potassium and anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants. They support the immune system and skin health and help protect against free radicals, with a moderate calorie content.

They keep fresh in the refrigerator at 4–6 °C for 10–14 days, and last about 3–5 days at room temperature. The squeezed juice or the peeled segments can also be frozen.

They are grown mainly in eastern Sicily, especially in the provinces of Catania and Syracuse, where the Mediterranean climate and volcanic soils encourage the flesh’s characteristic pigmentation and sweetness.