5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Tangerines

5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Tangerines

One of the most popular hand fruits on Earth, the tangerine is also one of the most enigmatic snacks around. Did you know, for instance, that they were named after Tangier, a port city in Northern Morocco, even though they did come from there? Tangerines were first cultivated in China several thousand years ago; at least that’s what the experts believe. They are a close relative of the mandarin orange and may be a variety or a subspecies of Citrus reticulata. What else don’t you know about them?

1. Number of varieties

Tangerines are far more popular in Europe and Asia than they are in the United States. It was not until relatively recently that companies started importing tangerine varieties from overseas growers in Spain and China. Domestically, the U.S. does not have a sizable tangerine crop in the citrus growing states, although acreage is on the rise. Many orchard owners in Florida and California are starting to cultivate this profitable crop as an eating orange.

Because it has been around for thousands of years, there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of tangerine varieties. The most requested varieties in the States are the Dancy, the Satsuma, and the Clementine, all of which are fantastic eating oranges that are available from early autumn to late spring.

2. Size

If you’ve ever bought a box of tangerines from your local supermarket or fruit stand, you know they’re typically smaller than the average orange. But did you know that the smallest tangerines are only about the size of a walnut and that the larger ones are actually bigger than the average orange. It all depends where and when they are grown.

3. How to pick one

Unlike an orange, a good tangerine should be slightly soft to the touch, since it has more juice. It should also be a bit heavy for its size, also because it has more juice. The skin should be pebbly without any deep grooves and orange in color without any patches or light spots.

4. How they taste

Other than their size, the single biggest difference between an orange and a tangerine is its taste. The average tangerine has a sweeter, stronger flavor and is less sour than the average orange. This is the main reason why the tangerine is considered a dessert food in many European countries. It is often enjoyed with coffee, cake, and pie because it is savory and sweet.

5. That they’re good for you

Just like other citrus fruits, tangerines are an excellent source of vitamin C and are naturally fat and cholesterol free. But because they are generally a bit smaller, tangerines contain fewer calories than oranges, which make them a popular diet food the world over.