Freezing blood oranges may help preserve properties, study suggests

UF Health Podcasts

The blood orange is delicious, often expensive, and packed with nutrients that taste great. But unlike the more common citrus that thrives in the humid state of Florida, this pigmented fruit requires more consistent cold temperatures than are readily available in a state known for its sunshine and beaches.

Now, new University of Florida research is highlighting the potential health benefits of blood oranges, with a twist — titrating their nutrient density by storing them at a specific range of cool temperatures.

Specifically, scientists pinpointed that storing blood oranges between 40 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit carries the ability to enhance their antioxidant content while preserving crucial attributes like the fruit’s firmness, weight, and sugar content. The cool storage can even elevate the blood oranges’ levels of anthocyanins, a group of antioxidants found in red, blue, and purple fruits and veggies.

Importantly, a diet full of these compounds may help protect from inflammation and Type 2 diabetes — and this antioxidant typically develops when the fruit is exposed to cold temperatures between 46 and 59 degrees for at least 20 days. These conditions are rare in Florida’s subtropical climate, and part of the reason scientists are on the hunt for a solution.

In the future, research will pivot to emphasize the importance of tailored storage conditions to maximize the fruit’s nutritional value and market appeal — which would also help it flourish in other regions. While the blood orange is growing in popularity, they are typically grown in climates more arid than the subtropics.