good old-fashioned blood oranges

Tom has discovered what we've always until now called 'blood' oranges. Except that this year I notice they've been re-named namby-pamby 'blush' oranges. This doesn't stop the kitchen looking as if Tom's had a nasty accident with a knife after he's eaten a bag or two (he now possesses one of those legendary teenage boy appetites and is usually to be found looking in the fridge - for hours at a time, it seems).

'Blood' oranges provide excellent gory, ghoulish entertainment and Vitamin C. What's wrong with that, I wonder?

Comments

[Gemma]

You are kidding me! Blush oranges!?!?! What namby pamby plonker thought that up!

[frances Atkinson]

I love that deep colour.

[Helen]

I guess the supermarkets feel they couldn't risk offending anyone's delicate sensibilities! Ridiculous though, isn't it? Maybe they're worried they'll get sued by vampires due to mis-description of the goods...

[Frogdancer]

Be thankful. I have 4 boys, 3 of whom are exhibiting the same appetite you describe. It's a beautiful thing, this adolescent growth spurt....

if only it had a corresponding appetite for housework.

[Debbie]

Definitely blood. There is nothing blushy about those oranges.

[Kirsty]

That is entirely ludicrous.

At least your son is feasting on oranges - I remember with my brother it was a constant flow of crisps and pot noodles.

[Anita]

I hadn't registered the change of name although I have to say that blush, as it related to the deep fiery-faced moments of my youth, might well be a good choice. Although, I suppose it's chosen for different reasons today...

[Lisa W]

Love the pictures. I think I can smell the oranges!

[Monica]

you know, in Italy, where I grew up... blood oranges are 'normal oranges. Actually call them Sicilian oranges if we want to sound posh and 'cultured'.

They're nothing special, or fancy or weird.

And I've never thought them 'bloody' until I came here...

Cultural differences are in every little thing. And mostly... they don't matter that much, right?

[Cristina]

Are prunes now known as "dried plums" in the UK as they are in the US? Fruits, just like celebrities, need an image makeover now and then...I guess.

[the mother of this lot]

Maybe that's why I thought they'd disappeared...I haven't been looking for 'blush'.

[Brigitte]

Blood oranges are blood oranges are blood oranges... In German they're called "Blutorangen". So they ARE blood oranges... And a fresh blood orange juice is one of the rare delights of ripe fruits in winter. Just lovely!

[Karbee]

Not ever tried them - will do next week as i've already ordered my online shopping delivery for tomorrow. On another note i got your book out the library. Have been watching their catalogue to see when they would finally have on order, when they did I checked up every week to see when it was on the catalogue and then pounced on the reservation. I collected it in all it's never been read newness Friday and am enjoying it very very much.

[Kathe Kramer]

Beautiful photo! I was hoping the counter after a blood orange feast would be pictured too. I am still trying to catch up and find Seville oranges! Oh! And quinces! Since you posted that saffron cake I have been reading Jane Grigson. Quince Vodka anyone? I better get busy.

[Lucy]

My two children (age 3 and 5) are scared stiff of blood oranges and really think it IS real blood, despite me trying very hard to convince them otherwise.
When I was small my Mum used to call them "Ruby oranges", I wish I had remembered that before mentioning the Blood bit to my kids!
x

[Jen]

My first thought was that your re-namer lived in Chicago, where blood oranges arrive after much vein-sapping and tedious transport, boasting very little in the way of blood. The last time I bought one, it was a complete waste--the innards were dry and barely earned the description blush. I wish you'd posted photo of one cut open! :)

[Gina]

Your remark about Tom lurking in the fridge made me laugh. I have four sons aged fifteen to twenty five and their appetites never cease to amaze me. The first thing they do when they come in (even after months away at Uni) is look in the fridge.

[Gina]

Your remark about Tom lurking in the fridge made me laugh. I have four sons aged fifteen to twenty five and their appetites never cease to amaze me. The first thing they do when they come in (even after months away at Uni) is look in the fridge.

[Sue]

We love the oranges too - and they are such a wonderful colour. I have two teenage boys and spend a considerable amount of time guarding the fridge!!

[nycstitcher]

A bowl piled high with brightly colored fruit seems to make a statement of "welcome" to all who see it. I hadn't realized this until I noticed that my husband was always bringing home oranges, lemons, and limes--always the ones with the brightest color-- for a large bowl in the kitchen or dining room--but we don't use that much fruit! When I asked him, he said he thought it just looked nice for people who come into our apartment. I agree, and from what I can tell you might think so too. Thanks for a lovely picture.

[Novembrance]

I love the sunny photos! 'Blush oranges'--my husband won't like that Bowdlerization of his favorite fruit one little bit.

[Christiane]

I can nearly smell the citrus perfume of a freshly peeled orange...lovely shots. teenage appetite, I can tell you, I have to hide my chocolate, they are like ants swarming the kitchen, never had enough, snuffling for baked goods and what makes me feel a bit better-eating fruit too.nashi,apple pears are the faves.

[Christiane]

I can nearly smell the citrus perfume of a freshly peeled orange...lovely shots. teenage appetite, I can tell you, I have to hide my chocolate, they are like ants swarming the kitchen, never had enough, snuffling for baked goods and what makes me feel a bit better-eating fruit too.nashi,apple pears are the faves.

[Kat]

Our blood orange tree is just hitting it's peak. We can't stop eating them. I love putting them in salads with just some oil and rice wine vinegar as dressing.

[Melanie]

I'm clearly in a minority here, but I couldn't bring myself to eat blood oranges as a child, as the name was too evocative for me. However, I was a very faddy eater in those days so even if they had been known as blush oranges, I may not have liked their different look.