A Simple Change Could Make Blood Oranges Even Cooler

With its flowered scent and sweet , abstruse - ruby flesh , the blood orange is an indisputably cool fruit . Yet , a recentUniversity of Florida studymeasures how literally cooling stemma Orange for calendar month post - harvest could make them healthier by boosting antioxidant levels , while yielding deep hues .

date back toat least the 17th 100 , blood oranges develop their namesake characteristics and “ added antioxidant punch ” when they ’re exposed to cold either during growth or after they ’re harvested , per research publish by the American Society of Plant Biologists . Such condition promptly occur in the Mediterranean , where coolheaded dark drive production ofanthocyaninpigments . Anthocyanin is also responsible for for the dramatic hues launch in fruits and veggie such as açaí berry and purple cauliflower .

However , blood Orange grow in subtropical and tropical regions , include Florida and Sao Paulo , Brazil , typically sport blonde - ish flesh with “ low or negligible anthocyanin engrossment , ” University of Florida research worker enjoin . For Florida growers , the solution — commercially speaking — might be as simple as refrigerated store , allot to the cogitation .

Photo: Pixel-Shot (Shutterstock)

Using blood oranges from a enquiry plot of land in northerly Florida , the scientist found that cool the fruits for 60 days post - harvest time at 10 - 12 ° ascorbic acid ( around 50 - 54 ° F ) “ further the highest growth in total anthocyanin concentration , full phenolic content and total antioxidant activity . ” Exposing the oranges to temperatures lower than 5 ° C , however , can injure the fruit and limit anthocyanin ontogenesis .

accord to lead author Fariborz Habibi , a post - doctorial investigator at the University of Florida , the commercial viability of line of descent orangeness in Florida isstill in doubtfulness . “ Improved fruit quality from the storage method acting presents a promising opportunity for the Florida citrus industriousness , ” he say . “ However , further study is needed before recommend anything to cultivator . ”

In the meanwhile , if you ever find yourself underwhelmed by the hues of store - bought blood oranges , you could always try utilise the researchers ’ determination by pop up them in your fridge for a while . “ Fruit can also develop internal color under similar weather condition at nursing home , ” sound out University of Florida familiar professor of horticultural sciences Ali Sarkhosh . But parentage oranges sold in supermarkets real ought to “ have a good internal vividness and be quick for consumption , ” he added .

Graphic: Fariborz Habibi et al, University of Florida