Answers to Common Questions About Citrus Fruit

Q: How long will the fruit last?

A:     Your Florida Citrus will last longer under refrigeration.  It will last longest in temperatures ranging from 35 to 50 degrees.   If space in the refrigerator is a problem, store citrus in any cool, dry place such as an unheated room, basement, or garage.  Also, it's important to let air circulate around citrus.  Don't place your fruit in plastic bags or film-wrapped trays.   Drops of moisture will form between the film and peel and will promote mold growth.  

If refrigerated or stored in a cool, dry area, your navel oranges and grapefruit will last 4-6 weeks or more. Tangelos and Hamlin oranges have a shorter shelf life and should be refrigerated if possible.

A special note about grapefruit:  The skin of grapefruit can develop dark sunken patches if left refrigerated too long.  After all, it's a tropical fruit so it's sensitive to cold temperatures, but only superficially.   Blemishes on the peel don't affect the fruit inside at all.  It's still delicious.  

Q:  Is the fruit seedless?

A: Yes.  The term "Seedless" fruit is generally used to describe pieces of fruit that contain fewer than six seeds.  While you may find one or two seeds near the center of the fruit, be assured your time will be spent enjoying our Fresh Florida Citrus and not removing seeds. 

 Q:  What about the exterior color of the fruit?

A:  The exterior color of the fruit you receive will vary with the climate.  When we experience colder temperatures, the exterior will turn a yellow-orange, they way you may be used to seeing.  However, when we experience milder temperatures, you may notice a green tinge, as the trees are busy putting more natural sugar into the fruit instead of color into the skin. 

 Q:  Is the grapefruit red, pink, or white?

A: Florida Indian River Groves will provide your organization with our famous Indian River Red Grapefruit.  However, the actual interior color of the grapefruit will vary from year to year depending on growing conditions.  Some years the interior may be more pink in color while other years it may be more of a darker red.  Therefore, we suggest that you tell your members to describe the grapefruit as pink in color.  Your customers will more than likely just want to know that the grapefruit is not white grapefruit.