Tarocco Blood Orange

The Tarocco Blood Orange is Italy's most commercially important blood orange, originating as a natural mutation of the Sanguinello variety. It is a Sicilian variety prized for its sweet, low-acid flavor and flesh that is only partially red.

The Tarocco variety is widely considered the finest-tasting blood orange because it has exceptionally low acidity combined with high natural sugars. It is often described as having a complex, berry-like flavor profile that sets it apart from other citrus fruits.

Unlike other blood orange varieties like the Moro, the Tarocco's flesh is typically only streaked with red or pigmented, rather than being fully dark red. This coloration depends heavily on the climate, as the red anthocyanin pigments require cold nights to develop fully.

The Tarocco blood orange is typically harvested during the winter months, with its season running from December through April in the Northern Hemisphere. It is primarily grown in the volcanic soil surrounding Mount Etna in Sicily.