Blog posts of '2025' 'October'

Dolce and Gabbana are increasingly in love with Sicily. The two most famous designers in Italy were
inspired by Sicilian majolica for their new summer collection.
The new collection is a riot of colors that recall the citrus fruits of Sicily and the majolica of Caltagirone
and which is very close to the colors of the South: therefore space for the blue of the sea, the blue of the
sky and the yellow of the lemons that appear several times within the decorative motif of the garments.
Highly appreciated majolica can be found in the Scala di S.Maria del Monte in Caltagirone, "City of
Ceramics", made up of 142 steps!
What do you think of the garments and accessories with majolica decoration?
Would you like to visit Caltagirone?

Orange, thanks to its characteristics, its sugary taste and its aroma, is a fruit that lends itself well to use
in the kitchen. Its use is very varied. From appetizers to desserts, from savory pies to the most renowned
pastry specialties, from first courses to second courses, to side dishes and salads, it flavors and enriches
dishes in an excellent way.
Varieties of oranges with slightly thick skin or larger caliber are used as table oranges and consumed
fresh.
While those with finer skin or smaller caliber are used for pressing and producing fruit juices. It is good
to consume an orange juice immediately immediately after pressing, if possible within 15-20 minutes,
because it retains all its organoleptic characteristics that would otherwise be lost.
The food industry uses oranges for pressing purposes or to produce candied fruit, jellies, dried fruit and
jams.
It is very usual to prepare orange jams at home If the oranges are fresh and especially untreated, you
can also use the zest obtaining an inimitable taste. The oranges used for the jams have a somewhat sour
taste. Depending on the amount of sugar added - more or less sweet jams can be obtained, depending
on your taste -.
These can simply be spread on bread or rusks, perhaps with butter, or used to prepare cakes, biscuits
and tarts with a unique flavour.

Plant and irrigation
The best time to plant citrus fruits is spring, when the risk of frost is now overcome.
The soil before planting must be well worked and the burglary must be done deeply with special means.
A small “turnstile” is dug around each plant to retain water and irrigated abundantly. The soil must be
light very fertile and predisposed to a particular type of variety of oranges, in order to guarantee the
excellence of the fruits. It must have excellent regular drainage - avoiding water stagnation which would
damage the proper development of the plant.
The plants must be placed 3-4 meters apart, in order to facilitate lighting, a sunny position must always
be preferred.
Another important detail to consider is the climate: it must be temperate - between a minimum of 7
degrees centigrade and a maximum of 28-30 degrees centigrade in summer. Windiness must be
absolutely avoided, because it causes the flowers and fruits to detach, causing enormous economic
damage to the producer.
Fertilization
It is essential to ensure proper development of the plant Organic and non-chemical fertilizers are to be
preferred, so as to guarantee the authenticity of the oranges.
To be carried out when the vegetation is active, during the last days of the winter season and in any case
at regular intervals, in order to avoid shortages of substances useful to the soil.
Pruning
It must be absolutely balanced.We must limit ourselves to lightening the foliage, eliminating dry, broken
or debilitated branches. The "nerds", i.e. the long branches without fruit, must be cut when they arise at
the base of the larger branches, while the more peripheral ones simply emerge. Excessive cuts favor the
birth of excessive vegetation to the detriment of fruit vegetation.
Collection
It is carried out when the fruits have reached optimal ripeness, which varies depending on the varieties
of oranges.
The fruits are harvested with the help of special scissors, cutting the twig that supports them, but
leaving the rosette intact, whose ”green” color guarantees the freshness of the oranges. They are placed
in plastic baskets, the so-called ”panari”, and then placed in plastic boxes with a capacity of
approximately 20kg.
These boxes are then positioned at the edges of the plots and loaded onto pallets, to be taken to the
warehouse or on trucks directly, if they do not require particular processing phases.
In fact, oranges, depending on the requests and their destination, can be subjected to different
processing phases such as washing, brushing, waxing and fungicide treatment, to prolong the
preservation of the fruits; or left in the natural “raw” harvesting state, simply proceeding with selection
and calibration, for more immediate and optimal consumption.
They can also be collected with the leaves attached or in a tree stand, without being calibrated,
depending on the buyer's needs.
How to store them
First of all, it is important to buy fresh and natural oranges like the ones you can easily buy on our store.
To be such, the orange must be heavy and not soft, with a fine rind adhering to the pulp, with the
“green” rosette attached - guaranteeing a recent harvest.
Orange is a fruit that if well preserved stays well for several weeks. The fruits should be placed well
spaced apart in a cool, dry place.
Oranges intended for juicing, if soaked in cold water a little before pressing - get more juice.
ORANGES AND HEALTH
Orange is a fruit with unique health properties, a real gift for our health.
The main component is vitamin C - concentrated mainly in blood orange - which is very important for
the well-being of our body, as it strengthens the immune system Being an excellent natural
immunostimulant, it lowers the risk of flu, colds and fevers - typical of the winter season. For this reason
and also because it guarantees the integrity of the membrane, avoiding the risk of premature birth,
pregnant women should consume it daily.
It also contains vitamin A, vitamin B1,B2,B9, useful for preventing some genetic defects such as back
bifida .It is rich in vitamin P - which increases the strength and elasticity of blood vessels, and vitamin E
which protects us from cardiovascular diseases (ischemia) and prevents the formation of varicose veins,
varicose veins and cellulite.
Orange also contains many minerals such as calcium, selenium, bromine, zinc, iron, copper, phosphorus,
magnesium and potassium which are useful for our mental well-being because they promote good
mood.
In fact, the essence obtained from pressing the orange peel has a calming and antidepressant action;
while the infusion of the zest has digestive and spasmolytic properties.
Blood orange juice has unique beneficial properties because it is rich in anthocyanins which, in addition
to giving it its typical red colour, are excellent antioxidants. These sweep away bad cells from our body,
fight free radicals and have an anti-fogging action, thanks also to the presence of collagen, essential for
creating or repairing damaged tissues.
Anthocyanins also help us fight obesity, because they lower cholesterol levels in the blood, avoiding the
accumulation of fat, which is harmful to our health and with the help of peptin they cause a sense of
satiety, helping us regain healthy weight Other useful substances present in blood orange are lutein,
which defends us from the sun's rays and ultraviolet radiation, and carotene which protects our vision.
For all these characteristics the orange - especially "the red", is defined “the orange of health”!

It is difficult to build a detailed route through which the citrus fruits arrived in Sicily, the only certainty is
that their arrival dates back to very ancient times.
A mosaic present in the Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina testifies to the presence of cedar and lemon
in Sicily already in the late Roman imperial period.
The bitter orange (citrus aurantius) was brought to Sicily by the Arabs during the 7th century and until
the 16th century only “blonde oranges” were cultivated - for ornamental purposes only In fact, beautiful
”gardens” were created - a term still used today to indicate the strips of land intended for the cultivation
of oranges.

The ”red orange”
(aurantium iudicum), was introduced into Sicily by a Genoese missionary returning from the Philippines
and described for the first time by the Jesuit Ferrari , in the work”Hesperides” (1646), as a particular
fruit, with peculiar characteristics and pigmented pulp ("purpurei coloris medulla ").
But only in the 19th century did the cultivation of blood oranges in Sicily acquire a primary role in the
Sicilian economy - up to the present day.
A large part of the territory of Sicily is used for the cultivation of blood oranges. The gardens connect the
sea of the island to the snow of the volcano - inebriating, in spring, the air with the intense scent of
orange blossom.
The production of red orange is concentrated in the eastern part of Sicily, in the territories around
Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, between the provinces of Catania, Enna and Syracuse.
The nature of the soil, the climate and the notable temperature variations due precisely to the presence
of the volcano give the oranges the typical “red pigmentation”, due to the presence of anthocyanins,
making them unique and inimitable of its kind, testifying to the close link between the territory and the
product itself.

Description of the orange tree
The orange tree can reach up to 12 meters in height - the leaves are fleshy and evergreen, elongated in
shape and with a crenulated margin.
The flowers, the so-called “orange blossom”, are white and very fragrant. They spread an intense
fragrance in the air, have a very delicate appearance, are a symbol of purity and for this reason they are
used in wedding ceremonies, for ornamental purposes.
Orange cultivation is only possible where the soil is very fertile and the climate is temperate. Each tree
can produce up to 500 fruits with more or less intense mottling depending on the variety.
Production begins in November with the first varieties, the naveline, with blonde pulp ; while the red
ones start in December and last until May - June with the later varieties, so it is possible to consume
fresh oranges - for a fairly prolonged period of the year.
Variety of blood orange

-SANGUINELLO(blood): it was discovered in Spain in 1929. Globose in shape, with a slightly rough orange skin
with red shades; with sweet pulp, but less sugary than tarot, orange in color with intense streaks.
Production begins in February and harvesting takes place between March and April, when the fruits
have reached optimal ripeness. It's ideal for juices.
-MORO: it is the reddest variety of all: its pulp is blood red. It has a very intense sweet-sour taste, not
always appreciated. It is ovoid or globular in shape, the skin is orange in color with strong red shades.
The production of Moro begins in December. With this variety the citrus campaign of blood oranges is
inaugurated, the harvest is carried out between January and February.
-TAROT: it originates in the territory of Francofonte, in the province of Syracuse, at the beginning of the
century. It is the most prized variety among red-fleshed oranges, the most widespread in Italy and the
most appreciated abroad.

It has an obovate or globose shape, with a more or less pronounced prominence at the base. Its skin is
orange with red shades and the pulp is orange with more intense red streaks when ripe is complete
Production begins in December and continues until May.
It lends itself better than any other variety to table consumption.

Red oranges are good and good for you. They are rich in vitamins and ‘cure colds. But, from today, we
have one more reason to eat them. Blood oranges, in fact, help you lose weight.
A recent study has
shown that blood oranges help against obesity and help reduce unsightly bacon, slimming the waistline.
Red oranges, therefore, help you lose weight To enjoy the benefits of the fruit you will need to drink,
every day, half a liter of freshly squeezed blood orange juice.
Red orange juice should be consumed
freshly squeezed, so that the antioxidant power of the fruit promotes the elimination of fat. Obviously,
everything must also be supported by a healthy diet and constant physical exercise.

Red oranges defeat extra pounds. Eliminating fat accumulations from the belly area is very important.
The fat that settles in that area is quite harmful to our health and could cause metabolic and vascular
diseases.

Order some juicy Sicilian oranges now at: https://aranciabellino.com/IT/arance-2

The orange is the fruit of the orange tree, of the "Rutaceae" family, belonging to the citrus group
("Citrus") and native to China.

The orange has an external rind or peel (pericarp), initially green in color which turns yellow or
reddish-orange as it matures. The internal pulp (endocarp) is divided into compartments (segments)
which contain the juice which can have a yellow, orange or red colour.
It is grown in Mediterranean areas such as Spain, Greece, Italy.As regards Italian national production,
70% takes place in Sicily, and 20% in Calabria.
Bitter orange ("Citrus aurantium") is native to China, and was introduced to Europe by the Arabs in the
10th century. The pulp of its fruit is acidic, bitter and rich in seeds and the peel is orange in color and
quite thin: it is used by the food industry for pastry making or for the production of liqueurs such as
"Curacao".
The sweet orange ("Citrus sinensis") is native to Vietnam, India and Southern China, and is the most
cultivated citrus fruit in the world.
Sweet oranges can be divided into:

- blonde oranges with yellow-orange flesh
Washington navel, Navelina, Navelate, Newhall, Thompson, Golden Buckeye (with the presence of the
navel, which is due to the formation of a second fruit), or Common Blonde, Belladonna, Valencia and
Oval;

- blood oranges with red pigmented pulp among which we find the:
* Tarot, spherical with pulp streaked with red and without seeds.
* Moro, ovoid with red flesh and almost seedless.
* Sanguinello and Sanguigno, with red pulp, little sugar and with a high content of citric acid.

The orange harvest period includes seven months of the year, from October with the Navels, until the
beginning of June with the Valencias and the Oval. From December to March, however, the Moro and
Tarocco varieties are harvested, which are the most productive.The nutritional characteristic of oranges,
as is well known, is vitamin C, which is very important for strengthening the immune defenses against
viruses and bacteria or chemical agents.
Orange can be consumed fresh, in wedges, in juices, in garnishes or as an ingredient in salads.
It is also used for the production of desserts, donuts and creams but also for drinks, liqueurs, jams,
jellies, candied fruit and ice creams.
It is often used in the preparation of second courses with a sweet and sour taste. A dish worthy of
mention is the famous orange duck.
■ Curiosity
Some historical notes on curious customs
The Arabs, who arrived in Sicily in the 9th century AD, brought oranges to Italy, and discovered that the
snow from Etna, cane sugar and citrus juice gave rise to very fragrant thirst-quenching sorbets.
The custom of using orange flowers to decorate the clothes of brides dates back to the times of the
Crusades, which were given by knights to their brides on their wedding day, as Saracen traditions
attributed the value of fertility to orange flowers.
Order now: https://aranciabellino.com/IT/arance-2

The shelf life of the product varies depending on the "cultivars" and temperatures: if treated with
anti-rot, it ranges from a minimum of 60 days for Tarocco and Moro (with temperatures of 8-10 °C and
relative humidity of 85-90%) to a maximum of 120 for Ovale and Valencia (with temperatures of 5-6 °C
and relative humidity of 85-90%).
Oranges shipped by the citrus company Arancia Bellino, although they do not undergo anti-rot
treatments (to keep the peel edible) and, as they are harvested fresh and in the winter months, should
simply be stored in cool, dry places... 

We recommend, first of all, to remove the oranges from the original boxes and arrange them, in a single layer, spaced apart from each other

Few precautions to guarantee shelf life of at least 30/35 days.
Word of ARANCIA Bellino!

Since 2009 we have boasted an ever-growing number of consumers.
This online sales site for red oranges produced in Sicily was born with two very specific objectives:
1) ensure the freshness and authenticity of an excellent, completely Italian product, from
harvesting to your table in just three days; this means that our Sicilian Oranges do not lose organoleptic
properties, taste and vitamins which instead would inevitably be lost with traditional routes that extend
delivery times between traders and wholesalers;
2) create a direct relationship between an orange producer and the consumer: the so-called Short
Supply Chain, reserving a front row seat for the consumer, with the awareness of depending on each
other. A satisfied customer is the best advertising for us!
What are the advantages of the Short Supply Chain?
Possibility of directly getting to know the producers, their working methods, the history of the
foods they bring to the table.
Enhancement of the crops typical of each territory, tastes, recipes and traditions.
Respect for seasonality and therefore the freshness of the products purchased.
Transparent and cheaper final consumer price for those who purchase.
Fairer remuneration for those who produce.
Online sale of typical Sicilian products, vegetables, oranges and citrus fruits. In the relevant harvest
periods the following products will be marketed:
Lemons, Cedars, Grapefruits, Mandarins, Clementines, Vanilla Oranges, Clementino Nova, Bitter
Oranges, Oval Oranges, and other citrus fruits
Sicilian red Tarot oranges
Moro oranges
Oranges Tarot Gallo
Sanguinello oranges

Sicily has a rich agri-food heritage. Bread plays a role of primary interest.

Bread in Sicily is everything: culture, history, traditions, effort, but also a unique and inimitable flavour.
In peasant culture the true man was the one who ate travagghiatu bread, obtained, that is, with the
sweat of his own forehead.

Bread is considered “grace of God” so much so that our grandparents' habit was not to turn it on the
table - because it would have been like turning our backs on the Lord, and not throwing but using
spoiled bread for other culinary uses. And if you were forced to throw it away, you used to kiss it before
the sad and painful gesture.

In peasant houses, bread was produced at home every week and bread-making was to be considered a
real ritual.

Today this habit has inevitably been lost, but homemade bread is considered a unique and irreplaceable
product. It is made with durum wheat semolina and is characterized by a dense and minute honeycomb
and has a high shelf life.

But the most famous form of bread in Sicily is certainly Mafalda, produced throughout the region.
Mafalda is a bread with a golden crust, a delicate and characteristic sesame seed flavour.

This bread was made in the 19th century.A master baker from Catania dedicated it’ in the early 20th
century to Mafalda of Savoy, from which it took its name.

Even today, a hot Mafalda with mortadella remains one of the best possible meals.

“ Autru ca Mecchi Donadd ” (Mc Donald's)
Eat a mafalda with mortadella that "Costa picca e sapi bedda" (“It costs little and tastes very good”) !

Avocado is quite unique. It is in fact rich in healthy fats, unlike most fruits which mainly contain
carbohydrates. And fearing that for this reason it could make you fat, many prefer not to eat it.
Actually avocado has some amazing properties, thanks to its content of antioxidants, trace elements and
vitamins... For the line? No problem!

Avocado identikit
It is the fruit of the avocado tree, called the American Persea. There are many varieties, which differ in
shape (from pear to round) and color (from green to black).
The weight is also very variable, and is approximately between 200 grams and 1.5 kilograms.
There are many studies of a scientific nature that demonstrate the beneficial effects of avocado. It is
referred to as a superfruit... which is not surprising given its healthy properties. Here are a few of them.
Despite being a common fruit for many years now, one is often uncertain about how to eat avocado.
There are those who use it as an ingredient in salads, those who put it in sandwiches, who make it a
sauce to season meat.
The pulp has a creamy, rich, fatty consistency and blends well with various other ingredients. Guacamole
is probably the most famous recipe based on avocado, to which a variety of ingredients such as salt,
garlic, lime are added.
In some countries it is served as a dessert, with the addition of a splash of cocoa which allows you to
further increase the health benefits. It also rightfully enters into the preparation of chocolate mousse,
making it even creamier and more delicious.
To avoid the risk of pulp oxidation, just add a little’ lemon juice.

1. Avocado is incredibly nutritious
It contains a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals. In 100 grams of
pulp, I'm count.
Vitamin K: 26% of the RDA (recommended daily intake)
Folic acid: 20% of the RDA
Vitamin C: 17% of the RDA
Potassium: 14% of the RDA
Vitamin B5: 14% of the RDA
Vitamin B6: 13% of the RDA
Vitamin E: 10% of the RDA
It also contains small amounts of magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin A, B1
(Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Niacin).
Such a serving provides an average of 160 calories, 2 grams of protein and 15 grams of healthy fats.
Although it contains 9 grams of carbohydrates, 7 of these are fiber, so there is only 2% simple sugars,
making this a low-carb plant food.
Avocados contain no cholesterol or sodium and are low in saturated fat.

2. Reduces the risk of heart attack
A 100 gram serving contains 14% potassium of the RDA, higher than 10% of bananas, which are a typical
food high in this substance.
Several studies show that adequate potassium intake reduces blood pressure and, as a result, decreases
the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.
2. It's great for the eye
Avocados contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that are particularly concentrated in the
eye tissues. They provide antioxidant protection to help minimize damage from ultraviolet light.
Because the monounsaturated fatty acids found in the fruit also support the absorption of other
antioxidants such as beta-carotene, adding avocado to your diet can help reduce your risk of developing
age-related macular degeneration.

3. It's heart healthy
Most of the fat in avocado is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. It is also the main component in
olive oil and is held responsible for some of its beneficial effects. For example, it is anti-inflammatory.
Avocado fats are also quite resistant to heat-induced oxidation, making avocado oil a safe choice for
cooking.

4. Helps lose weight
Fiber is another nutrient found in relatively high amounts in avocado. It can contribute to weight loss, as
well as reduce blood sugar spikes.
A distinction is often made between soluble and insoluble fiber. The former is able to nourish gut
bacteria in the gut, which are very important for optimal body functioning. About 25% of the fiber in
avocado is soluble.

5. Lowers cholesterol
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Several blood markers are known to
show an increased risk. These include cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammatory markers.
A number of studies have highlighted that habitual avocado consumption...
reduces blood triglycerides by up to 20%
lowers bad cholesterol by up to 22%
increases good cholesterol up to ’11%

6. Prevents osteoporosis
Half an avocado provides about 25% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K.
This vitamin is often overlooked, but it is essential for bone health, increasing calcium absorption and
reducing urinary excretion.

7. Contributes to health in general
An American study conducted on a sample of more than 17 thousand people, examined the eating
habits and health status of those who usually consume this fruit compared to those who do not include
it in their diet.
It was thus discovered that the former have a much higher nutritional intake and are half as likely to
have metabolic syndrome, a group of symptoms that represent an important risk factor for heart
disease and diabetes.
Furthermore, they weigh less and also have more “good” cholesterol.

8. Helps absorb nutrients from vegetables
One study showed that adding avocado oil to foods or consuming avocado in salads or in the form of a
sauce can increase antioxidant absorption by 2.6 to 15 times.
So not only is this fruit highly nutritious, but it can greatly increase the nutritional value of other plant
foods.
This is a great reason to always include a source of healthy fats when eating vegetables. Without it,
many of the beneficial plant nutrients are wasted.

9. It can help prevent cancer
It appears that avocado extract inhibits the growth of prostate, colon, stomach, pancreas and cervical
cancer cells. It also appears to help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in human lymphocytes
Although the mechanism behind this apparent risk reduction is currently unknown, researchers believe
that folate (folic acid) protects against unwanted mutations in DNA during cell division.

10. Relieves arthritis symptoms
Arthritis is a common problem in Western countries. There are many types and they are often chronic
problems, which accompany people throughout their lives.
Several studies have shown that avocado and soybean oil extracts can reduce the symptoms of bone
arthritis, called osteoarthritis.

11. Ideal for future mothers
The folic acid content of avocado is extremely important for carrying a healthy pregnancy to term.
Adequate intake reduces the risk of miscarriage and positively affects the health of the newborn.

12. against depression
Like all foods that contain high levels of folic acid, avocado can help reduce the risk of depression. This
substance in fact prevents the accumulation of homocysteine, a substance that can alter the circulation
and supply of nutrients to the brain.
Excess homocysteine can also interfere with the production of serotonin, dopamine, and
norepinephrine, which regulate mood, sleep, and appetite.

What are you waiting for? Order it now at www.aranciabellino.com! It's good, it's Italian, it's good.