Blood oranges teeming with antioxidants and other health benefits may be a shot in the arm for consumers and citrus growers, if the fruit is stored at cool temperatures, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study shows. But it's too soon to know if blood oranges are a viable crop for the Florida citrus industry, said Ali Sarkhosh, a UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural sciences.
Sarkhosh's post-doctoral associate Fariborz Habibi, lead author of the study, explains: "Although blood oranges typically command higher prices than other common varieties, such as navel or Valencia oranges, it is unclear if farmers could substantially increase their per-acre income by adding them to their crop selection and then storing them for internal colour development. Improved fruit quality from the storage method presents a promising opportunity for the Florida citrus industry. However, further study is needed before recommending anything to growers."
Read the full article at citrusindustry.net.