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Florida oranges are well known around the world because they are so juicy and delicious. Even in countries that specialize in growing citrus fruits, like Spain, Florida oranges are well regarded. What makes Florida oranges so distinctive? More than one hundred years of citrus expertise make citrus fruits that come from Florida tasty treats that are in high demand all over the world.  Florida citrus fruits are often given as gifts because they are consistently high quality and people know that Florida oranges and grapefruits come from citrus experts.

Citrus fruit has been a major industry in Florida for more than one hundred and fifty years. Originally citrus trees were brought to Florida by explorers who came to Florida from the Caribbean. The tropical climate of Florida turned out to be the perfect climate to grow oranges and grapefruit and citrus farming became a solid industry.  The only real risk to the citrus groves was an occasional freeze in the Florida winter.  The tasty and delicious Florida oranges that were being grown by the grove owners were in demand from the very beginning. Initially, the greatest problem the growers faced was shipping the perishable fruit to the rest of the country before the citrus fruit spoiled. With the development of the railroad system, the grove owners were able to utilize this transportation to ship their citrus fruit across country and to major sports for international shipping. With modern technology and transportation, grove owners can ship their fruit and it reaches the consumer within days so the fruit always arrives at its peak of freshness.

Florida citrus fruit production also sets Florida oranges and grapefruits apart from the fruit shipped by growers in other states.  Because citrus farming is one of the biggest industries in Florida growers in the state work hard to stay on the cutting edge of advances in the industry. Organic farming, faster shipping methods, and exploring new variations of citrus breeds that are better adapted to dealing with the tropical climate of Florida are all areas that Florida citrus growers are making huge gains in everyday. If you want to give a gift that will impress your family, friends, and business associates with its quality giving a gift of Florida oranges or other citrus fruits is the perfect gift to give.

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.

A great way to use up all of your Florida oranges before they spoil is to use them to make preserves. Orange marmalade is a tasty treat that everyone in the family can enjoy.  Orange jelly or marmalade is very versatile and can be spooned into yogurt, used as an ice cream topping, mixed with sorbet, served over bread or pancakes, or used in dozens of other ways.  Making preserves is easier than you might think, and it wasn’t that long ago that most people made their own fresh jams and jellies every year from fresh fruit.  The art of canning preserves is making a real comeback as more and more people try to save money and make more sustainable food choices.  This year you should order a box of Florida oranges and make your own orange preserves.

Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never made preserves before. Making preserves does not require hard to find ingredients or any type of special equipment. The ingredient that makes the preserves gel is Pectin. Pectin is found naturally in the orange peel, but you can also add pectin and sugar to make sure the preserves gel. When selecting the citrus fruit you are using for your preserves, research which citrus contains more pectin. For instance, Clementines naturally have higher amounts of pectin than Florida oranges so they are an easier fruit to make preserves with. You will also need canning jars and lids that have seals. It is important that the lids of the jars have seals. Make sure you read up on how to create a hot water seal before you start making the preserves. Having the right seal will allow the preserves to stay fresh for up to a year.  

The most important ingredient you need to make orange preserves is high quality Florida oranges.  The quality of the fruit that you use to make the preserves will play a large role in the taste of the finished product. Using oranges that have been shipped to commercial stores and have been treated with sugar and preservatives will result in jam that doesn’t taste exceptionally well because those fruits are already at an advanced stage of spoiling.  The best oranges to use to make marmalade or jelly are Florida oranges that are shipped directly from the grower.  Those oranges, along with grapefruits and tangerines, are shipped just after picking and will arrive at your house fresh, natural, and totally preservative free.  If you want to make stellar tasting jam and preserves use the highest quality fruit you can buy.

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.

This winter Florida citrus can help you and your family stay strong and healthy. The holidays are over, and it’s the time of year when people tend to get sick.  In the letdown that occurs after the holidays people tend to get depressed and when they’re depressed their immune systems don’t work as efficiently.  That depression, combined with the germs and viruses that are swirling in the cold of winter make it more common for people to get sick.  However, eating plenty of Florida citrus will help your immune system stay strong enough to fight off colds and viruses so that you and your family don’t get sick.

Florida citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are full of Vitamin C, which has been proven throughout the decades to help boost the immune system. When your immune system is working the way it’s supposed to small colds, viruses and other illnesses don’t stand a chance.  Just one piece of citrus fruit per day can be enough to keep your immune system working in perfect order.  Fresh citrus juice can also help you stay healthy, but eating a piece of citrus fruit like an orange or grapefruit is better than drinking just some citrus fruit juice. However, if you’re someone who is always on the go and don’t have a lot of time you can get all the benefits of the vitamins and minerals in Florida citrus fruit by replacing the water in your morning smoothie with fresh orange or grapefruit juice.  You can also keep a few oranges in your desk at work to make sure that you get a healthy snack during the day.

In addition to Florida citrus keeping you healthy through boosting your immune system, they also help your body fight free radicals. Adding citrus fruit to your diet will help your body heal damaged tissues and muscles.  Improving your body’s overall health will help keep you healthy during cold and flu season. Citrus fruit also helps children fight off the germs they may encounter in the classroom. Make sure to add a piece of citrus fruit to your child’s lunch box, or put some in a brown paper bag in their backpack for snacks throughout the day. The vitamins and minerals they get from adding citrus fruit to their diet will help them avoid getting sick from the germs and viruses they come across at school.   

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.



You don’t have to spend a lot of money on organic treats in order to eat healthy.  Florida oranges, grapefruits and other citrus fruits are healthy and sweet treats that won’t break your budget.  Economy size boxes of Florida oranges, or gift baskets full of assorted citrus fruit, are cost effective ways to keep fresh fruit in the house no matter how small your budget is.  If you store Florida oranges in a cool and dark place they will last for quite some time, so you can buy in bulk and save money. If you really want to save money get together with some friends or family members who also want to stock up on fresh citrus fruit and share a box of grapefruits or oranges.  Fresh Florida oranges cost just a fraction of what cookies, cakes and other sweet snacks that are full of refined sugar cost.

There is about one hundred calories in one Florida orange, which makes them a great snack for any family member. Children enjoy the sweet taste, and due to the low calorie count, kids will not gain extra pounds if they have more than one.  Since Florida oranges are high in Vitamin C, parents love the fruit because it helps keep both their children and them healthy by boosting immune systems. Children have a tendency to spread germs easily, having Florida oranges in the house helps keep their kids healthy and tastes great at the same time. Florida oranges are great any time of year, but they are especially beneficial during the winter months.

Switching to Florida oranges after the holidays is the perfect way to get the sweet snacks you crave after weeks of eating cookies and other sweets without breaking your New Year’s resolution to eat healthy. Kids especially can have trouble giving up the decadent and rich desserts that are so easily available during the holiday season but they will benefit the most from making the switch. Once you get used to eating healthy and sweet snacks you’ll find that when you do eat refined sugar snacks they taste flat and stale.  Showing your kids that they can eat healthy snacks that are also sweet and delicious will help them make better food choices throughout their lives, so order some Florida oranges today and get your kids started on a healthy diet that you can afford even if you’re buying groceries on a budget these days.

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.

Adding Florida oranges to your daily diet and your family’s diet can make it easier for your kids to focus. Many parents struggle trying to keep their focused on schoolwork, on hobbies, and on other activities.  Some kids require medications to help them stay calm, focus, and keep their attention on one thing for more than a few minutes at a time. But millions of other kids whose problems aren’t serious enough to require medication still need a little help when it comes to staying energized and focused throughout the day.  Kids who have school and then lots of activities like sports, clubs and other interests often need a pick me up by the end of the day.

Diet and exercise can play a huge role in helping your kids focus. Natural Florida oranges, which are packed with vitamins and minerals, give kids the healthy boost of energy they need as well as the nutrients they need to keep their minds sharp and their bodies functioning well.  Giving your kids Florida oranges or grapefruit in the morning will help them get their day off to the right start by stimulating their brains and giving them the natural energy to stay interested and focused on their schoolwork until lunchtime.  Florida oranges eaten as snacks will help them get through the afternoon and homework without fading. 

Kids can learn to eat healthy early on in their lives and they will continue to have healthy eating habits into adulthood. Showing kids that eating Florida oranges and other citrus fruit is the perfect way to jump start their energy and help keep them focused will help them avoid reaching for those energy drinks as they get older. There are so many benefits of adding citrus fruit to your child’s diet, focus and energy are just one part of the advantages. Since the average piece of fruit has less than one hundred calories, but a lot of fiber, snacking on citrus keeps kids healthy but also helps keep them feeling fuller. The natural sugars in oranges and other citrus fruits are easy for the body to break down so they won’t cause the same kind of stomach upset or other discomforts that soda and other foods usually given to kids to give them an energy boost can cause. 

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.

Florida citrus is known around the world for being some of the highest quality fruit produced anywhere in the world.  The unique soil and the tropical climate of Florida are the ideal growing conditions for oranges and grapefruits, and those unique conditions create some of the tastiest citrus fruit that you can find.  Even though today citrus production is one of the main industries in Florida and brings in more money than any other industry it took a long time for oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and other citrus fruits to become cash crops for the state.  The first citrus trees were brought to Florida by early Spanish explorers like Ponce de Leon, but Florida citrus fruits weren’t commercially grown for about four hundred years after that.

One of the reasons why citrus fruit production remained relatively small scale for so many hundreds of years was because shipping the fruit out of the state was difficult and expensive.  Citrus fruit stays fresh for a very long time but before the invention of mass transit and engine powered vehicles it took too long to get the fruit out to consumers.  Once an infrastructure of railroad tracks were built in the state, in the 1800′s, it became much easier for growers to get their products out to the consumers who were eagerly awaiting the chance to buy fresh Florida citrus fruit. As vehicles and technology became more sophisticated it became possible for Florida citrus growers to get oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines shipped to consumers within days of those fruits being picked.  The fresher the fruit is when it’s shipped the longer it will last for consumers and the better it will taste when it arrives at their homes.

Although there are other states that grow citrus fruit, none have the reputation for the best citrus fruit than Florida does. One of the reasons that Florida has the best fruit is the distinctive growing conditions. Another reason given, is that since the original citrus fruit trees were planted in Florida by the Spanish, Florida citrus became the best quality citrus. The exact reason may never be known, but one thing is true, when people shop for the best quality, most delicious fruit, they buy Florida citrus. Nothing beats the terrific citrus fruit produced by Florida growers.  

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.

Florida navel oranges are usually bought and eaten by people that reside in Florida as well as many families around the country.  They are by far one of the sweetest and juiciest variety of citrus fruit that you can find anywhere in the world.  Navels are well-known for being grown in Florida and can be distributed as gift baskets and citrus crates from online retailers.

Florida navel oranges are the ones that are easy to spot. The the outside skin of navel oranges are thick and they are typically heavier than the others.  Navel oranges are seedless and also rather firm.   Restaurants and grocers worldwide seek out these navel oranges specifically from the state of Florida for one of a kind dishes such as orange cake, candied oranges and to add some zest to shrimp and chicken dishes as well.  Navel oranges are also fantastic for freshly squeezed juice to ward off a nasty cold.

Florida oranges are useful in so many ways that they are a citrus purchase that is money well spent.  Many peope have been know to take the rind from a navel orange, dry it out, and use them in household cleaners and shred them as well to place in a bowl and use them for days to send a fresh citrus aroma through the air that kills bad odors.  Navel oranges have more juice inside of them than most other oranges, and with navel oranges being similar to a grapefruis in size, they are the orange of choice for many avid juicers.

Navel oranges can come in a variety of sizes but they all commonly have that sweet, brightly colored center that makes an excellent addition to any fruit salad.  Normally you can find navel oranges in season from October through February.  These oranges make great gifts for your friends and family.   You can purchase them for much lower prices than other gift baskets that are delivered and they have an added bonus being so nutritious as well.  It is as if you are giving the gift of good health  to those you care about most.  They are priced exactly right to suit any holiday shopping budget.

While this only proves the many uses for Florida navel oranges, they have additional nutritional power that you cannot get in other fruits.  They are loaded with Vitamin C which is essential to building a strong immunity and prevent sickness .  They also can lower your chances for obtaining a heart condition and alter diabetes in many people.  Here’s an idea for you: Instead of take-out for dinner tonight, grab a handful of delicious navel oranges. Combine it with some fresh seafood and pasta, and you have a healthy, delicious dinner for your entire family to enjoy!

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Article contributed by Hale Groves , offering fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information .

Few states have an industry that is as much a part of the state’s history as Florida citrus is to the state of Florida.  Even though it took hundreds of years before the growth and production of citrus fruit became a major cash producing industry for Florida the orange was used as the symbol of Florida because it was found everywhere in the state.  Citrus fruits are not indigenous to the state of Florida, but the first citrus fruit trees were brought to the state in the late 1400s by Spanish explorers and they  have flourished there ever since.  During the wave of exploration that engulfed North and South America in the late 1400s/early 1500s Ponce de Leon explored several Caribbean islands where citrus fruit was plentiful and brought orange trees with him to the coast of Florida.  The climate in Florida, which is similar to the Caribbean climate the trees had thrived in, turned out to be the perfect climate for oranges and other citrus fruits and the legacy of Florida citrus was born.

For hundreds of years Florida oranges, and later Florida grapefruits, were known as a delicacy that could only be gotten in Florida.  At the time shipping products was difficult and expensive. Most food items could not be shipped because they would spoil before they reached their destination. So, people who wanted great citrus fruit would travel to Florida if they could afford it. They told everyone how tasty Florida citrus fruit was and the demand for Florida citrus went even higher.  Once engine powered vehicles came along it became feasible to ship citrus fruit, which delighted people around the country who could now have access to Florida’s delicious fruit. The fruit was expensive due to the expense of shipping, and having fresh Florida oranges and grapefruit became a status symbol. 

In the past, sending Florida oranges and grapefruit gift baskets, showed the recipient that the person sending the gift basket was wealthy. Today, the Florida citrus industry is very large, but people view the Florida oranges and grapefruits as more than just a regular cash crop. The citizens of Florida identify themselves with the history of citrus fruit and are proud that Florida citrus is part of their culture.

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.

The health benefits of eating Florida citrus have been proven in many different medical studies.  Eating Florida citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits can help you lose weight, help you stay healthy, and help you stay focused and energized.  Oranges and grapefruits are inexpensive and can be eaten by anyone, even people on restricted diets.  Since thousands of families are trying to cut back on their grocery bills and stay healthier to avoid expensive trips to the doctor families are rediscovering the power of Florida citrus fruit.  Best of all, Florida oranges and grapefruits are so delicious that your family will love to eat them and you’ll love being able to replace unhealthy snacks made with refined sugar with healthy oranges and other citrus fruits.

Fresh Florida citrus fruits are packed with vitamins and minerals that your body needs in order to health soft tissue, heal damaged muscle, fight off sickness and disease, and they can even help you lose weight.  Grapefruit, a popular Florida citrus fruit, has been proven in medical studies to help with weight loss when eaten as a part of a healthy diet.  There are several natural enzymes in grapefruit that help your body burn stored fat for fuel, getting rid of excess fat and helping your body process food more efficiently. Grapefruit comes in several different varieties ranging from tart to sweet so if you’ve avoided eating grapefruit thinking that grapefruit is bitter or sour don’t avoid it any longer. Simply choose a sweeter type of grapefruit and keep your kitchen well stocked.

Florida citrus fruit is versatile and can be incorporated into your daily life in dozens of different ways so that you can get a daily boost of healthy vitamins and minerals.  Use fresh citrus juice in smoothies or salad dressings instead of water to provide flavor and extra vitamins.  Use fruit juice and grated peel in sauces and stuffing to add a citrus twist to your favorite savory dishes. Replacing refined sugar snacks with citrus treats like compote, citrus ice cream, orange jam, popsicles made from orange or grapefruit juice, and other Florida citrus treats if you want to keep your family happy.  You and your family can enjoy the sweet taste that you all want without having to sacrifice your health. And since Florida citrus is shipped directly from the growers you will get fruit that has no preservatives and is shipped fresh from the grove.

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.

This is the time of year when everyone vows to start eating healthy and to get back in shape.  Florida citrus fruit can help you get back to a healthy diet and can help you get rid of some of those holiday pounds. Florida citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are packed with the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to be healthy. You can boost your immune system and help your body function more efficiently just by adding one piece of Florida citrus fruit to your daily diet.  Sweet citrus fruit can also help you satisfy your cravings for sweets without giving in and eating unhealthy candy or cookies.  Most people give up on their plan to eat healthy after a few days because it can be hard to change the eating patterns that become habits during the holidays.  Here are some simple ways to eat healthier without giving up all the foods that you’re used to:

Add one piece of Florida citrus fruit to your breakfast – Just adding a single piece of fruit to your breakfast can make a big difference in your diet.  Grapefruit has been proven to help people lose weight, so adding a grapefruit to your regular breakfast can help you lose weight thanks to a natural enzyme in the grapefruit that helps the body burn fat.  Grapefruit also has a lot of fiber so that you will feel full longer and won’t go looking for snacks in the middle of the morning.  The vitamins and minerals in the grapefruit will help you stay energized and help keep your brain focused and alert.

Cut your portions in half – One reason that it is difficult for people to lose weight is that portion sizes are too large. Most people do not realize how much they eat at every meal. Using a smaller plate can if fact help you lose weight. You have less food in front of you and once the food has been eaten you realize that you are actually full. Also since it looks like you’ve eaten a full plate you will not feel like you’ve been cheated out of part of your meal. By getting into the habit of using a smaller plate you will see how quickly you start losing weight.

Cut out refined sugar – Refined sugar can’t be processed by the body, and is usually stored as fat. Whenever possible, cook your meals from scratch and use Florida citrus fruit juice to replace sugar in your cooking whenver you can. Not only will your sweetness craving be satisfied, you will also get the benefit of vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

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Article contributed by Hale Groves, providing fresh fruit baskets, gift baskets and Florida oranges and citrus, including delicious navel oranges, honeybells, ruby red grapefruit, valencia oranges, tangerines and more! Visit HaleGroves.com for more information.