Export Red Oranges Tarocco

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HOME PRODUCTION AREA The wonderful Tarocco orange trees grow in the fertile earth of the foothills of Mt. Etna. These unique, high quality oranges are world-famous and carry the IGP label “Arancia Rossa della Sicilia” – the Sicilian Red Orange (according to the EC regulation n.2081/92). The particular climate in this area plays a vital role in the cultivation of the product. If the same variety of orange is grown in other areas, it does not have the same red colour and organoleptic qualities. At the foot of the volcano there is a big difference in temperature between day and night from late autumn to the beginning of winter which causes the formation of the red pigment in the orange. The particular fertility of the earth also contributes to the unmistakeable taste of the orange. The volcanic sand in the earth gives the orange particular organoleptic properties and its special flavour - the typical taste of Etna. Protected by the European IGP brand, there are three varieties of the Sicilian red orange – Moro (dark), Sanguinello (blood orange) and Tarocco. The first two varieties are medium to small in size and the flesh is very red – almost black as their names suggest. The Tarocco is the giant of the category and its large size makes it easily to recognize. The flesh is red-veined but not as dark as the other two varieties. The orange harvest is carried out by hand using scissors to cut the stalk. The picking begins in the middle of December and ends in the first days of April in the areas where the oranges ripen later. AZIENDA THE COMPANY We have been operating for three generations in the production, selection and trading of high quality citrus fruits in Italy. We can confidently state that we represent a sure, trustworthy reference point in the sector. Our father has worked in this field since he was a boy and knows everything there is to know about high quality oranges. Our slogan – tradition and innovation – encapsulates our way of looking at things; we strive constantly for the best quality without losing our roots and the wealth of experience we have accumulated. We simply make the most of what nature has to offer – the earth, the sun, Mt. Etna and the Simeto river. We add our passion and our daily work. These, together with continuous attention to the quality of the product and process and respect for the environment are the main ingredients that give our products the excellence that we are proud of. . OBIETTIVI OUR AIMS We cultivate our citrus fruit using integrated production techniques which aim to substantially reduce chemical treatments and replace them with natural, biological cycles so that the product is as wholesome and uncontaminated as possible. At the same time, the environment is protected and respected which benefits both producer and consumer. If we follow the rules and the cycles of mother nature, all our efforts are rewarded when harvest time arrives. The unique aspect of our work is evident with the first bite of the orange and that in itself is a guarantee of the quality of our oranges. Our philosophy is very simple – work the earth and look after it in a natural way in order to have high quality fruit. Our mission is principally to develop modern agriculture that preserves and improves traditional methods, combining productivity and protection of the environment through advanced technology and new ways of organisation. A commitment in terms of strategies and resources aimed at achieving the highest quality of foodstuffs PRODOTTI PRODUCTS PIGMENTED ORANGES Pigmented oranges are distinguished by the red colour of the flesh and peel which is created by the presence of anthocyan, a water-soluble pigment. This substance contains important pharmacological properties: it delays the process of cell aging which prevents the onset of gastric ulcers, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and the formation of some cancers. This happens because the pigment blocks the formation of free radicals, metabolic processes that are dangerous for the body when in excess. Moreover, it regenerates the retina and as a result helps the eye to adapt to the dark. However, the pigmented varieties have a limited capacity to adapt. They grow almost exclusively in particular areas in Sicily where there are hot summers and a wide range of temperatures in late autumn and early winter which give the fruit its characteristic red colour. The particular characteristic of the fruit has been recognised through the attribution of the IGP (Indication of Geographical Protection) Label “Arancia rossa di Sicilia”, the Red Orange of Sicily”, aiming to distinguish and valorise this particular production. The Tarocco orange accounts for 45% of the total orange production in Italy; the Moro and the Sanguinello have lost their importance over time as they do not sell so well. The Tarocco variety is often subject to gemmary mutations, many of which are degenerative. The mutation consists of a sudden onset of changes in the genetic make-up of cells of a single bud; if this develops, it creates a branch which produces fruit that has different characteristics to the others. In some more fortunate cases they show up interesting aspects of the plant or fruit regarding the time of ripening, the size or the productivity etc. At the moment there are a lot of Tarocco clones, many of which derive from gemmary mutations. ORANGES PRODUCED BY ARABELLA Tarocco Dal Muso The fruit The fruit is roundish in shape and slightly long; its distinguishing mark is a protruding lobe near the stalk (collar); It has a robust stalk and is large and seedless. The peel is fine-grained and a bright colour. It yields a high level of juice. The ripe fruit does not stay long on the tree, especially in rainy years. The tree The tree is quite wide, slightly pendulous and medium-sized. The leaves are pointed and light green. The flowers are set out individually. The fruit appears mainly in the lower, inner part of the foliage. It produces a medium yield. Tarocco Scirè The fruit The fruit is spherical in shape, seedless with a thick stalk. The top part is characterised by the presence of a slight circular indentation. Sometimes, in the bottom part there is dried residue of juice that has oozed from the fruit. The peel is smooth and thin. It is medium-sized and the fruit tends to be smaller when the tree grows on loose, shallow earth. It produces a lot of juice. The ripe fruit stays on the tree until late spring without falling off. Packaging TWO-LEVEL CRATES Base 30 cm. x 50 cm. Weight varies from 8 to 12 Kg depending on the size of the fruit QUALITY Our concept of quality is understood as GLOBAL QUALITY. Each single orange must contain all the characteristics that distinguish our product to guarantee that every consumer will be satisfied with an Arabella orange that not only looks good but is very good to eat! Checks are regularly carried out to assess the characteristics of the product: sugar levels, low acidity, perfect taste, the right consistency, perfect peel and regular shape following our standards of quality that are well-defined and rigorously respected. In order to guarantee the quality of the orange, it is also important to produce it directly, to know the place, the cultivation techniques, the land, the use of irrigation and to be able to fix with precision the best time for the harvest which takes place only when the oranges are perfectly ripe PRODUZIONE INTEGRATA Integrated production Integrated production is a cultivation method that follows some fundamental principles, especially the following: • respect for the equilibrium of the environment, • protection of the producer, • the health of the consumer. All the cultivation choices made by the producer, beginning with the choice of distance between the trees (which affects the light and space for the tree), to the management of the land (grassing over, giving back precious organic substances) and interventions to protect the tree from parasites (choice of product and time of intervention) must be carried out with caution and a sense of responsibility, with the awareness that each intervention made by man can affect the delicate equilibrium of nature Contact us For all communication or requests, contact us and our staff will answer immediately Fill in the following form for information and we will be happy to satisfy your every request. *NB: The fields marked with an asterisk are obligatory! Request for information or estimates is not binding