The History of Blood Oranges

Blood oranges are native to Sicily and have been a staple in Sicilian agriculture since at least the 9th century. Sicily was once part of the Roman Empire, but blood oranges didn’t emerge until the region came under Arab control between 878 and 1061. The fruit was considered a delicacy for its rarity and flavor, so it was originally reserved for the wealthy elite. It was also used as a bargaining tool — when pleading with the Normans to take the territory over from its Muslim rulers, the Prince of Salerno reportedly showed them blood oranges to illustrate the treasures to be found on the land. Blood oranges soon began to travel to other parts of the world; a 1646 text reveals that they had already made their way to the Philippines by that time. Blood oranges were also commonly mentioned in fairy tales and other stories, including a version of Cinderella and The Arabian Nights. Today, most blood oranges are grown in northern Spain, California, and Italy. Why aren’t they more widely cultivated? Anthocyanin, the pigment that gives them their natural color and is the source of the fruit’s powerful antioxidants, needs specific growing conditions not found in many places. Yet despite relatively limited growing regions, blood oranges are highly popular in many parts of the world.