Red Valencia

6 years ago

Found a Red Valencia on the ground today from my small Red Valencia Tree. Picked a regular Valencia to compare. Both need about a month more on the tree. The Valencia was not sweet and very little flavor. The Red had a nice complex flavor even this early. Can't wait to see what another month or two will do. But the little wind damaged RV tree only has tree more fruit.

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uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)

6 years ago

Interesting! My SmithReds just began dropping on their own. Here is a comparison of Danville Moro vs. Smith Red - harvested 2 weeks ago.

Moro upper (the smaller one), Smith Red lower

I couldn't stop myself - tasty and ate them all! - - - George

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Comments (19)

Laura LaRosa (7b)
6 years ago
Nice!! Thanks for the comparison. Enjoy!
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Denise Becker
6 years ago
Do you know which variety you have? A Rhode Red or a Smith Red? I have a Smith Red and was wondering how it tasted.
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matt_lcv10a
Original Author
6 years ago
It is a Smith Red.
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Silica
6 years ago
Really not a good comparison. Valencia is a late maturing variety, picking/tasting a Valencia in March the fruit would naturally not be close to its highest sugar content.
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uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
6 years ago
My Smith Reds (used to be referred to as Valencia - not anymore) have been mature / ready since late January, but have improved a bit. My Delta (early) valencias were ready 2-3 weeks ago.

I still have a bunch of SmithR's on the tree to snack on---
Silica
6 years ago
When most people talk about Valencia, they are not referring to Smith Red, nor Delta Early Valencia, but to the common commercial late maturing Valencia cultivar that has been grown for ever, the # 1 juicing citrus fruit..
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Laura LaRosa (7b)
6 years ago
George, those look lovely. How was the flavor compared to the Moro?
matt_lcv10a
Original Author
6 years ago
George, that's some nice color on those. Moro is my favorite, but my three year old tree had serious wind damage and has no fruit now.
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Amanda Tyner
6 years ago
Wow! That is nice looking!
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uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
6 years ago
Thanks! That was the last moro, and it was a bit less acidic. Perhaps a tiny bit sweeter. The Smith tastes very similar to the Sanguinelli i tried yesterday. I will retaste soon. We've had a cool weather stretch that seems to have prevented a significant increase in sugars. Maybe in a week or so I'll line up the Taroccos, Smiths, and Sanguinellis....
Amanda Tyner
6 years ago
Gosh it must be so nice to wake up, grab a cup of coffee and go see what you can pick for breakfast! haha sounds like heaven!
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uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
6 years ago
Here is an update on my Blood Oranges - Smith and Sanguinelli harvested today. Tarocco about 2 weeks ago.

The Sanguinelli has developed some great berry flavor and still had some acidity. The Tarocco was smooth as silk and juicy. The Smith was very juicy and mellow. All delicious and made for a great lunch.

An interesting note: the Smiths were harvested from a very low branch and perhaps that is why they did not develop as much color as the prior ones I had pictured. I still have a dozen or so on the tree. bon apetite ! - George
jinnylea
6 years ago
Very nice looking fruit, Matt and George. I enjoyed reading your notes and looking at the pictures. I have a Rhode Red. It is a young tree and has not set any buds or fruit. Does anyone know how it compares to the Smith Red? Taste wise?
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PacNorWreck
6 years ago
Great pictures! Does the smith have the blood orange, complex flavors similar to a Moro or Sanguinelli or is it more like a Valencia?
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Denise Becker
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I have a Smith Red and didn't realize how large the fruit are. Thank you for the comparison. I have been considering a Tarocco and you are the first person to say how good it is.
Kelley_GA8a
6 years ago
Hi George, which one was your favorite?
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uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
6 years ago
Tarocco is my favorite when it is at its prime. Some of the earlier Taroccos were as large as the smiths. I haven't (yet) let the moros stay on the trees long enough so maybe next year. (they were all used for bloody screwdrivers at a planning meeting in February) : - )

This is the first year for the smiths... so if they improve a bit, they will be amazing. I could be led to say that the smiths tasted most like a regular orange, but certainly more complex than a Valencia.

The Sanguinellis took the longest to get to a good sugar level in my location. They have developed a nice berry flavor like the moros.. but also are much later.

Bottom line - all of these taste good, and taste better than what I can find in the market. I think the key is to let them hang on the tree so that they can build the sugars... to where you like it.

So...... next year I will need to actually USE the brix meter that I have - that would be good spreadsheet info and backup the taste buds. - George
matt_lcv10a
Original Author
6 years ago
I have tasted home grown Moro, Tarocco, and Red Smiths. The complex sweet/tart taste of the Moro is my favorite, with Tarocco next and then Red Smiths. The Tarocco is still very young 2 - 3 years) so I may change my mine later. I have a young Sanguinelli tree but lost the two fruit I left on it to the wind. The Tarocco tree is on the left and the Sanguinelli in on the right. I lost all the fruit and almost lost the Moro tree to severe wind damage.

My Blood Oranges just have not developed much color this year (Red Smith & little Tarocco). Last years Moros were Purple/Red.