What is a Tangerine?

The tangerine remains a citrus fruit that grocery store consumers have long since been looking at in a curious manner. People will stare at the tangerine and notice that it looks a lot like an orange but know it is not an orange. This does raise the question what exactly is a tangerine? Well, here is a little fact: a tangerine really is an orange. It is just a different kind of orange which is why it looks and tastes differently from the traditional orange.

The tangerine is a form of the Mandarin Orange which is among the most popular selling citrus fruits. The most obvious difference between the tangerine and the traditional Mandarin Orange or other oranges centers on its size. A tangerine is much smaller than a “regular” orange. To a great extent, this contributes to the tangerine’s popularity. Some people prefer a smaller, lighter citrus snack and the tangerine fits such a bill. Being smaller, the tangerine is easier to carry and those on the proverbial go will find it less of a hassle to toss in a briefcase or even a coat pocket. And, of course, the smaller size means the calorie content of the tangerine will be much lower than a common orange. For those looking to drop a little weight, this makes the tangerine a much better dietary choice.

On a side note, the rind of a tangerine is easy to peel. As such, those aforementioned “on the go” folks will find this another plus to the tangerine. Actually, you do not have to really be going anywhere to appreciate the ease of peeling a tangerine. Consider it a positive form of nature’s convenience.

Then, there is another major motivating factor why people will seek to purchase tangerines: they have a taste that is quite appealing. This brings us to another difference between the tangerine and a traditional orange. This taste is much different from the traditional orange which adds to the tangerine’s popularity on the consumer market. Specifically, the taste of a tangerine is much sweeter than that of an orange which can sometimes be a little sour.

You could consider the tangerine to be a naturally modified form of the Mandarin Orange. The differences between the tangerine and the traditional orange certainly play a significant role in the tangerine’s popularity. That is why it remains a common item on store shelves when in season.

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At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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