The Many Varieties of Tangerines

There is a common misconception about the tangerine. That would be the notion that there is only one singular fruit known as a tangerine. Actually, there is no such thing as a tangerine in the singular sense of the word. There are many varieties of tangerines and they all have their different traits.

The evolutionary process can make many changes in the natural composition of fruit. The difference of a mere 100 miles between groves can make for huge changes in various fruits over the centuries when the climate and weather of the two locations are different. Differences among the soil that the groves are located will also contribute to this as well. As a result, many different tangerines have developed. While different, they are all excellent citrus fruits to eat. Here is a brief look at the more popular ones:

First, all tangerines can simply be considered a smaller version of the Mandarin Orange. In addition to being known for their small size, they can be identified by their very sweet taste. This taste is what makes them enormously popular and in great demand during their season.

Murcotts are tangerines better known by their more descriptive name Honey Tangerines. These tangerines are extremely sweet and they are an incredibly bright colored orange fruit. However, the rinds of these tangerines maintain a greenish hue that allows them to distinctly stand out although some mistakenly assume the greenish color indicates a lack of ripeness. This is really not the case as the rinds are naturally green.

You could consider the Clementine to be the most popular of all the tangerines. They are quite small in size, have a very sweet taste, and do not have any seeds. These three attributes are certainly the factors that contribute greatly to their popularity.

The Temple Orange, which is also called The Royal Mandarin Orange is actually a tangor which is a natural hybrid of an orange and a tangerine. The season for these citrus fruits is the dead of winter and the window of opportunity to purchase them is limited. So, if you see them on store shelves, buy them. They won’t be available for long.

The Tangelo is a somewhat interesting hybrid fruit. It is a combination of the tangerine and the grapefruit. Obviously, the size of these oranges is more akin to that of a grapefruit although their taste leans closer to the tangerine. While not as popular as the more traditional tangerine, Tangelos have their fans. As with other tangerines, their excellent taste contributes to their popularity.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

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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