Blood orange of Sicily

The blood orange is a specific variety of orange (Citrus sinensis) and the distinctive dark flesh color is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a family of antioxidant pigments common to many flowers and fruit, but uncommon in citrus fruits.
Blood oranges are indeed considered to be among the most healthy oranges in the world not only due to the high presence of anthocyanin but also due to the combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folic Acid, Calcium and Beta-Carotene not found in normal oranges. The content of Vitamin C, in particular, is roughly 40% higher than any other citrus fruit. Blood oranges benefit from the particular surrounding area that the nature has created close to Etna volcano, Sicily (Catania province). The presence of the Etna volcano in that area allows reasonably warm temperatures during the day and acts as a stronger cooling agent in the night. This is an essential combination that creates higher anthocyanin levels, which give the fruits a deep red natural pigmentation.