California gets all the press for it’s naval oranges. Florida is seen more of an orange juice kind of state. But they too have a citrus variety that is getting a lot of press – the Honeybell Tangelo. This piece of citrus is a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine. It got it’s name for it’s honey like taste and bell like shape. Every year people rush to grab the limited amount of Honeybells. They are only available from about January until mid-February. And if you live outside the state of Florida, you may have trouble finding them. I was lucking to a find a package of Honeybells at Plum Market in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
My Experience with this Citrus (Rating Scale 1-10)
Seeded or Seedless: Seedless
Sweetness: 8
Acidity : 6
Orange Flavor: 8
Juiciness: 9
Overall Feeling: I thought they had a rich, honey-like flavor and they were juicy. The only thing I disliked about them was it seemed the membrane between the segments was really tough. I don’t know if it was because I got a bad batch or if Honeybells would be better enjoyed like a grapefruit by cutting out each individual segment. I love to be able to make a trip to Florida next year while these are in season, to see how good they can be straight from the source.
Availability: January to mid February
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