Queston about Honeybelles

songbird · ‎03-21-2010

OK, I've not had them. The nearest things to them that I've eaten are Minneolas. So what Orchid do you suggest? Hale Groves or Cushman's I don't think I want to get them from QVC because of negative reviews.

ChazzyLady · ‎06-01-2016

@songbird wrote:
OK, I've not had them. The nearest things to them that I've eaten are Minneolas. So what Orchid do you suggest? Hale Groves or Cushman's I don't think I want to get them from QVC because of negative reviews.

Hi @songbird sorry I can't recommend a specific vendor for the Honeybells from experience but FWIW I've heard good things about Hale Groves.

I think it's wise that you don't order them from QVC although I can't say enough good things for how my situation was handled by their Customer Service.

I had ordered these from QVC several years ago and they were literally the best piece of citrus I had ever eaten. They were everything the on air demonstration promised and then some. Remembering how much I loved them, I placed another from QVC last year and they were the polar opposite of what I received before: super thick skin, almost juiceless, packed with seeds and not even sweet. They actually tasted and looked like the worst supermarket oranges you could ever imagine. They didn't even have that distinctive deep orange color of real Honeybells inside or out.

I did note that the box they came in said David's and NOT Cushmans.

I followed the return instructions to call customer service before trying to return them just hoping to get recommendations on the cheapest way I could ship them back. The CS representative was fantastic, apologized for the poor product and said that QVC appreciates getting my feedback, that I didn't have to return them and gave me a full refund. Now that's great Customer Service!

It looked like someone at David's had substituted poor quality regular oranges for the real thing but I never found out why.

Hope this helps.

songbird · ‎03-21-2010

@ChazzyLady David I think is actually Harry & Davids which a company known more for chocolates then citrus. The three that I saw where Cushmans, Harry & David & Hale Groves I think I'm going to order from Hale Groves. I'll just order the one tray (12 of them). I know that QVC wlll refund you if they're bad. But I'll just try this one time from Hale Groves. They won't be for Christmas. I'll have the order in January (when they come in)

ScrapHappy · ‎03-28-2010

I've never seen them outside of QVC, but then again, I'm not looking for them. But, I agree with previous poster, don't get them from QVC. My Mom has sent them to me. Half of them were bad and the ones that were left just didn't look anything like they did on TV and taste was so-so, She has gotten herself some from QVC too with the same results.

aroc3435 · ‎09-30-2010

@songbird I always bought the Honeybelles from Cushman's, long before QVC carried them and enjoyed them. Some years they are better than others--depends on the weather for the growing season. Last year the weather did not help their quality.

Cushman's has been bought out by Harry and David's a year or two ago, I think, but the Cushman's name has been kept.

In some areas of the United States they can be purchased in supermarkets rather than having them shipped.

Hope this helps.

songbird · ‎03-21-2010

There us an Asian supermarket sort of near me that offerered Minneolas. They were super declicious. They also appeared in January or February. So they were the sweetest citrus I've ever tasted. But not sure Minneolas are the same as Honeybelles. The growers in Florida also offere Honeybelles and Sugarbelles. I have no idea what sugar belles are, but I'll try someting with the name of honey over sugar anytime, LOL.

From the internet:

Nicknamed “The Honeybell” because of its bell shape, the Minneola tangelo is a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit. Its large size and slightly elongated “neck” make it easy to recognize. The most popular of the tangelos, seedless Minneolas are brimming with sweetly tart juice.

Group 5 minus 1 · ‎03-11-2010

Love them. Last year I peeld them,sliced them,froze them and then put them in my iced tea. Great,great snack.

ChazzyLady · ‎06-01-2016

@songbird wrote:
@ChazzyLady David I think is actually Harry & Davids which a company known more for chocolates then citrus. The three that I saw where Cushmans, Harry & David & Hale Groves I think I'm going to order from Hale Groves. I'll just order the one tray (12 of them). I know that QVC wlll refund you if they're bad. But I'll just try this one time from Hale Groves. They won't be for Christmas. I'll have the order in January (when they come in)

Yes, you're right, the box said Harry and David now that I think about it. My poor old gray brain cells obviously weren't clicking, LOL!😁,

Good luck with your order.

Razzy 7 · ‎03-11-2010

Cushman's is owned by Harry and David's.

"The company sells its products through direct mail, online and in retail stores nationwide, and operates the brands Harry & David, Wolferman's, and Cushman's."