Minneolas 
Key Attributes of Minneola Oranges
- Sweet with a mild tartness
- Juicy and have relatively few, if any seeds
- Bright reddish-orange color and easy-to-peel skin
- Slightly bell shaped with a protruding nose at the stem-end neck
- Available January to April
Mini Fruit … BIG Flavor!
Nicknamed “Honeybell” because of its bell shape, the Minneola Tangelo is a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit. Its large size and slightly elongated “neck” make it easy to recognize. The most popular of the tangelos, seedless Minneolas are brimming with sweetly tart juice.
History of the Minneola Tangelo: A Totally Unique Experience
Tangelos are hybrids of a mandarin orange with the grapefruit or Pummelo. They are so distinctive that they earned their own classification in scientific terms, called Citrus Xtangelo.
The first crosses were done by Dr. Walter T. Swingle in Eustis, Florida in 1897, and Dr. Herbert J. Webber in Riverside, California in 1898. The Minneola itself is a hybrid of the Bowen grapefruit and the Dancy tangerine. It was first released in 1931 by the US Department of Agricultural Horticultural Research Station in Orlando, Florida. The Minneola Tangelo has become such a popular fruit because of its similarity to the delicious flavor of the tangerine, without the seeds.
Did You Know?
The Minneola Tangelo has a very short, one month, harvest.
Selecting Your Minneola Tangelo
- Select a Minneola Tangelo that is firm and heavy in your hand for its size.
- Make sure that the tangelo doesn’t have soft spots or wrinkled skin.
- Check its scent – it should smell good, not rotten or fermented.
- While there should be no soft spots, the Minneola Tangelo’s skin is slightly pebbly naturally.
How to Care For and Store
California Minneola Tangelos should be stored in a cool, well ventilated area. Typically, storing oranges between 45° and 48° F is best. They can stay at room temperature for three or four days. If refrigerated, they can be kept for up to two weeks.
How to Enjoy
- Peel and eat for a quick, easy and nutritious snack on the go!
- Incorporate the juice into your favorite cocktail.
- Toss in slices with any salad to add color, sweetness and extra nutrition.
- Add slices to yogurt for a light snack or breakfast.
- Bake into cakes for added exotic flavor.
Minneola Tips
- 2 to 4 squeezed Minneola Tangelos = 1 cup orange juice
- 1 medium Minneola Tangelo = 4 teaspoons of orange zest
- Juice the fruit right before drinking for the most vitamins.
- Never store freshly squeezed juice for more than 48 hours.