Blood orange

Orange sanguine

What it is

The crimson comes from anthocyanins, and the tree only makes them when nights turn cold — which is why Sicily's slopes under Etna produce them and warmer groves cannot. A mild winter yields a disappointingly orange orange.

In the kitchen

Segment it over a bowl to catch the juice, and use that juice in the dressing. Nothing else gives that colour.

Goes with

Fennel Olive oil Olive Red onion Dark chocolate Almond Mint Black pepper

Also used with

Isomalt Earl Grey

In season alongside

Loquat Cherimoya Menton lemon Meyer lemon Gariguette strawberry Lychee

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