Limoneira Cara Cara and Blood Oranges

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are given to me. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

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I was fortunate to receive some oranges from Limoneira and their other website Limoneira Lifestyles.

It came in a sturdy box. I will definitely be using the box for other things.

Here's how it looks inside. It came with two Cara Cara and two Blood Oranges.

Product Review: Limoneira Cara Cara and Blood Oranges

Where to purchase: online at limoneiralifestyles.com

Made in California

Description from the website:
Cara Cara oranges are a type of of navel orange that are sweet and comparatively low in acid with a bright orange rind similar to that of other navels. Their flesh is distinctively pinkish red.

Blood Oranges have a crimson, almost blood colored flesh. The blood orange is hybrid between the pummelo and the tangerine; its 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 fruit. Blood oranges have a unique flavor profile compared to the other oranges, being distinctly raspberry-like in addition to the usual citrus notes.
Thoughts: Honestly, I've been curious about blood orange for years. Several years ago I got ice cream and the flavor was blood orange. I just assumed it was a name but to find out it's actually a fruit I was shocked. My friend told me she'll give me some to try but that never happened. So for that reason, I was excited to try the fruit out!

Here's a closer look at Cara Cara. It's very round like a typical orange.

Here's a closer look at Cara Cara. It's very pink.

Here's a closer look at one piece of Cara Cara.

Here's a closer look at Blood Orange. The shape reminds me of lemon more than orange/tangerine.

Here's a closer look at Blood Orange. I was shocked with the color and I don't know why. I guess it's expected with the word Blood.

Here's a closer look at a singular Blood Orange. It really does have a darker flesh color.

Now for my overall opinion... First of all, there's no noticeable scent while eating. I just sniffed both Cara Cara and Blood Oranges, and I didn't noticed any scent whatsoever. Secondly, I received an email with ideas how to use Cara Cara and Blood Oranges. I ended up just eating the fruits out of curiosity. Even though I didn't use the ideas I received through email, you still can. Here's the press kit.

5 Ways to Use Cara Cara and Blood Oranges

Specialty Citrus are the Flavors of Sprint at Limoneira Ranch

(Santa Paula, CA) - At Limoneira, it's not secret that we think Lemons are the zest of life - but our orchards are no one-trick-pony. This spring, we're putting a special spotlight on a different kind of citrus - our beautiful Cara Cara and Blood Oranges, to be precise.

As with most types of citrus, Limoneira oranges are versatile, delicious fruits with a seemingly endless array of possible uses. We've put together an array of recipes featuring these delicious, seasonal citrus fruits.

Uses for specialty citrus.

1. Deodorize - Squeeze the juice of one Cara Cara or blood orange and the juice of one lemon into the liquid detergent compartment. Run the dishwasher while empty and set to steam dry. The citric acid in the fruit will help neutralize the odor, leaving your kitchen smelling sweeter in no time!

2. Exfoliate - A good face scrub is a key component in any skincare routine. Take 2 TBSP coconut oil, 1/2 a juiced Cara Cara or blood orange, and 3/4 cup coarse sugar. Mix together and use as an exfoliating scrub on clean hands or on your body.
3. Hydrate - Did you know that Vitamin C is good for your hair, as well as you skin? Create an orange-lemon rinse using: 1/4 cup freshly squeeze orange juice, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon honey. After straining the lemon and orange juice for pulp, add all ingredients together. After shampooing your hair as normal, pour the orange-lemon rinse into your hair slowly, massaging it into your scalp and working it through the hair to the ends. Leave in 5-10 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Your healthy, shiny hair will thank you!
4. Clean - What you'll need: a glass jar, citrus peels (two oranges, one grapefruit and one lemon), white vinegar and a clear spray bottle. Simply trim away as much of the white pith as possible from the citrus peels and place in a jar. Pour in enough white vinegar to cover the peels and cover the top of the jar. Let this mixture sit for 1-2 weeks, or until the vinegar has turned dark orange. It should also smell of oranges - if it doesn't, allow it to sit longer and/or add more peels. Shake the jar every 2 days to speed the process - then, transfer to spray bottle and use as desired.
5. Snack - Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't recommend simply snacking on these delicious citrus fruits from time to time. Eating an orange a day can go a long way towards keeping your skin and hair healthy! And if you're on the hunt for recipes, the Limoneira Pinterest and YouTube channels will be your new best friends. Follow and Subscriber!

Each month, Limoneira spokesperson Megan Roosevelt will be featuring another wonderful facet of citrus living. Subscribe to Limoneira's Youtube channel for more information on the many ways this endlessly versatile fruit can improve life inside the home and beyond.

Please feel free to use the ideas given. I'm impressed these fruits are so versatile and a genius way of using them other than eating. Third, I thought Cara Cara was a hybrid between an orange and a grapefruit. I was wrong and the hybrid is Blood Orange. That sure tells you how much I know about these fruits but I learned a lot by writing this post. Not only that, I never knew about Cara Cara until now. Thank you Limoneira for teaching me a lot about these fruits. I love learning new things to grow my small brain cells! Lastly, they're really delicious! I did like Blood Orange but Cara Cara stood out to me more. I love my sweet fruits and Cara Cara definitely is. Blood Orange has a very unique taste but it got better after the first fruit. I got used to the taste and the second one taste great. I highly recommend these fruits. They're gorgeous exterior-wise and interior. They're also very unique with the interior color; pink and dark color, Not only that, they're healthy for you. Blood Orange has antioxidant which we all need in daily basis and who doesn't need vitamin C!

Would repurchase: Yes.
Rating:  5/5 Tobey's Paws

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are given to me. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the products. This post is written with my honest opinion.