These sweet little juice bombs are a gift from nature, and we’re about to give them the appreciation they deserve. Read on for all the juicy deets you need to know about mandarin oranges!
So what are mandarin oranges?
Mandarin oranges are a small, loose-skinned variety of the common orange, typically sweeter and less acidic than the larger oranges.
Mandarine oranges are thought to have originated in India, but when they travelled across China where they picked up the name “mandarin”. They made their way to England and Euro-tripped it down to Italy, eventually making it to the Moroccan port of Tangier, where they garnered another name, “tangerine”.
How to Peel a Mandarin Orange Video
While peeling mandarine oranges is an easy way to enjoy them, you can cut them as you would any orange!
Mandarin Orange Varieties
Are mandarins and clementines the same thing? In short, sort of! Mandarin oranges are a smaller descendent of the common orange. Because mandarins are easily crossed with other varieties of citrus and can grow in a number of climates, many varieties of mandarins have been created…around 200! Here are the most popular varieties of mandarin oranges (learn more about types of oranges here):
- Clementines: This sweet variety is usually seedless and easy to peel, making it great for kids. Brands like “Cuties” or “Sweeties” commonly use clementines (but…fun fact! As different varieties go in and out of season, these brands will swap which kinds of mandarins they include in the packs)
- Tangerines: Though “tangerine” was originally just another word for the fruit “mandarin”, the term “tangerine” has begun to take on another meaning. What we call tangerines in the U.S. are commonly more tart and have a deeper orange/red color than the common mandarin. Varieties of tangerine include Darby and Fairchild.
- Satsuma: This is a seedless variety originating in Japan. The tree is more tolerant to cold, so you’ll find these in colder climates. This variety has a thick but delicate skin, meaning it’s quick to peel but bruises easily, making it great for either eating locally or canning for shipment.
Are canned mandarin oranges good for you?
Canned mandarin oranges can be a great way of getting more fruit into your diet, especially when mandarin oranges aren’t in peak season. You’ll need to make sure they’re not canned in sugar. Look for a label on the can that says “no added sugar”.
How to select mandarin oranges
You’ll find a variety of mandarins are in season from November to April. Choose fruits that are heavy for their size and unblemished.
How to store mandarin oranges
Store mandarin oranges in a cool, dark place (like the fridge). At room temperature they’ll last about 1 week. Refrigerated in a bag they should last 2 weeks to 1 month.
Mandarin Orange Recipes
Mandarin oranges can be used in place of oranges in most recipes, but they are especially great in salads and breakfast bowls! Here are my favorite mandarin orange recipes:
- Healthy Orange Dreamsicle Smoothie
- Orange Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding
- 15 Minute Buddha Bowls
- Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls
Mandarin Orange Nutrition Information
Mandarin oranges are loaded with nutrients! I’ll put on my nutritionist brain and break it down. (This information is per 1 large (120 g) mandarin orange).
Mandarin Orange Calories: 64
Mandarin oranges are relatively low in calories, making them a healthy snack.
Carbohydrates: 16 g
As with most fruits, mandarin oranges are mostly made up of carbs because of their natural sugars.
Fiber: 2 g
Oranges contain some fiber, and have 9% of your Daily Value (DV).
Protein: 1 g
As with most fruits, oranges are not high in protein.
Fat: 0 g
As with most fruits, mandarine oranges are fat-free.
53% Daily Value of Vitamin C
1 large mandarin orange contains over half of the vitamin C that you need in a day! This antioxidant helps maintain your immune system as well as helps to create collagen.
16% Daily Value of Vitamin A
Mandarin oranges are also a good source of Vitamin A, which is essential in many components of healthy vision, as well as immunity!
Kate says
What a great post! I’ve eaten hundreds of these little beauties over the years, but now I know so much more about them!
Jill says
We love oranges in our household. Generally I section what our grocery calls “lunchbox oranges” (5 for a $1) for my daughter’s lunch. I keep the peel on. I’ll show this video to her – I’m sure she’ll want to try this way of sectioning an orange 🙂
Sarah says
My family ALWAYS had them when they were in season too! They’re such a healthy snack to have sitting out 🙂
vansgram says
What VIDEO on this site??? I don’t see any here. My Mandarin oranges from Costco has skins that feel like they’re glued on–you have to crush the fruit to get it off the skin!
SO–I’d appreciate a video. The one on Pininterest didn’t work.
THANK YOU
Sarah says
There’s a video within the post that shows a fun way of sectioning a mandarin orange. I think that’s what Jill is referencing too 😀
Sarah - The Charming Detroiter says
Love oranges, especially clementines! We have been buying them by the boxes too recently at our local market – excited to learn so many things about them and also to see what recipes you have in store!
Sarah says
I think if I didn’t buy them by the boxes I’d be going to the store for more every other day!
Jayasingha says
I plant mandarin tree 4years ago. Now its morethan one meter hight. So i want to know how manyears need more for get fruit.
Megan Marlowe says
My son loves mandarin oranges! I love this informational post and can’t wait to show him the video!
Kristen says
these are so pretty! We love oranges, and I love putting the smell after I put the orange peels down the garbage disposal.
Sarah says
Oh that’s a great idea! Unfortunately garbage disposals aren’t so common here in Europe. But I’ve heard that boiling the peel also smells mighty nice!
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
I had no idea that tangerines, clementines and satsumas were all a kind of mandarin! I must admit until recently if it was round and orange I just called it an orange regardless of its size. I love all kinds of oranges, mandarins or otherwise so I really should take the time to find out more about them. Great post!
Sarah says
I didn’t know either until I started looking into them more! So I figured there was no way I could included ALL oranges in this ingredient spotlight…there are so many things to learn about mandarins alone!
Aubrey says
ARE DEEZ PICTURES COPYRIGHTED?
Sarah says
Thanks for asking, Aubrey. Yes they are. Feel free to email me at sarah@liveeatlearn.com to discuss licensing.
Ralph says
How many pounds of Mandarin Oranges are needed to feed 22 people giving them 4 ounces each?
Sarah says
That’s a whole lot of mandarin oranges! Looks like you’ll need 5.5 lbs 🙂
Anne Binderup says
what happens if you swallow a whole mandarin orange? Asking for a friend 😉
Sarah says
Well you’ll have an instant does of vitamin C!
Jim says
I have a mandarin tree that was in the yard when we bought our house 10 years ago, the fruit is large and juicy, BUT, the skin is thin and hard to peel, and if left for a week after picking goes rock hard. any suggestions
Sarah says
Hmm now that’s a tricky one! Could you use a vegetable peeler while they’re still soft?
Cole says
I bought 5Ib from Costco. I peeled one and it was white. I have never seen this before. Usually I purchase from Aldi. How do I know manderine is spoil and to throw out?
Sarah says
Strange, I haven’t seen this before! It’s probably just a lot of pith.
Dave says
I love mandarin oranges in my salad. I prefer not to buy food from China. Do you know of any brands or stores that sell canned mandarin oranges that are not from China?
Sarah says
Hi Dave! I’m actually not sure, this is a great question! Many southern states, along with Mexican, commercially grow mandarin oranges. You could try focusing there (or your local farmer’s market). I’m guessing even just buying them fresh in the store (rather than canned) will increase your likelihood of them being local.
MARY says
Lately the mandarins or cuties have had a lot of veins on the orange. Why is this happening now? I never had this problem before and it’s annoying because they get stuck on your tongue if you don’t pull all of them off before you eat them?
Sarah says
Hmm this is a great question, Mary! And I’m not sure on the answer. It could be the season, or perhaps a slightly different breed of mandarin?
Suzanne Shaw says
Are these grown and/or canned in China? I prefer not to trust their prosesses or standards of cleanliness
Sarah says
I’m not sure, you may need to check the label for different brands 😀
Eilish Ni Riada says
Is sugar from Mandarin orange natural and does it count in 25 grams a day allowance.
Sarah says
Yes it is natural (as long as it is not canned with syrup), but this does count towards the daily allowance.
Jezza11 says
What are the strings on mandarin segments called?
Sarah says
That’s called the pith! 😀
caleb says
My kids were eating some mandarins and notice on their hands what looked like glitter. I washed them and had my kids wash their hands and they were still glittery. It was even inside on the fruit. Is the normal?
Sarah says
So strange, I’ve never heard of that!
Pamela Prouty says
I purchased some today- they are light orange in color. Will these get more orange as they sit?
Sarah says
I don’t believe so!
Alena says
I purchased a 5lb bag from Walmart. Seemed like all the bags had small mandarin oranges in them. Smaller than usual,, could this mean its not a good season for them?
Sarah says
It’s possible! They’re usually in season in the winter.
Peter says
How do I get my mature mandarin tree to flower and set fruit , as so far it’s produced only 3 fruit and yet others the same age at my father’s house are producing heaps?
Sarah says
I don’t have information of the growing of mandarins – sorry about that!
LINDA MOORE says
Im getting conflicting information regarding whether or not Mandarin have seeds. Can you please advise. Thank you.
Sarah says
Some do and some don’t! For instance, clementines usually do not have seeds 😀
verle coleman says
When is the best time to buy mandarins and when is a terribe time. Bought some in June that were good.. Bought some in July that sucked.
Sarah says
Usually they’re in season in the winter, though available all year. Sounds like it could have been a different source?
Pearl says
I stored canned mandarin oranges in a very hot attic. Are they usable?
Sarah says
It’s hard to say! I would think they’d be okay?
June Matthews says
In the Spring, I bought a mandarin or a satsuma orange tree in a pot from Lowe’s or HomeDepot. I transferred it to a much larger pot and put it in my screen room and then outside, still in the pot it has produced 20 oranges so far. The oranges were small but very heavy and actually broke a couple of the delicate branches. So I picked them. I now had 20 green oranges. I peeled a couple of them exposing orange flesh and so I tasted them and they were delicious! Why? Are they supposed to be picked green? Or if they could have lasted longer on the little orange tree without breaking all its delicate branches would they have been super sweet instead of mildly sweet?
Sarah says
I’m honestly not sure! My guess is that they would have continued to become more and more sweet!
Maggie kuti says
Thanks that was informative
Teresa Jones says
This is the first year our tree has fruit. I didn’t know when they would be ripe. Thank you
Steve says
It’s supposed to be 30 degrees tonight. Should I pick our remaining mandarins
?
Sarah Bond says
I think so!
Avis says
Why is the mandarin PULP white-ish, NOT orange? Has it been frozen? Should I return it to grocer? Can I eat it safely?
Sarah Bond says
White is normal, I believe!
Lorraine says
FYI – Mandarins are the original ancestors of the common orange, not jus “a variety of orange.” Mandarines, Pomelos and Citrons are the ancestors of all of the citrus fruits, including grapefruits, lemons, and limes.
linda Douglas says
Sodium citrate is found in citrus juices; however, is sodium citrate found in fresh mandarins and oranges.
Sarah Bond says
I’m not sure actually! Sorry about that.
John says
Will mandarins act like oranges in raising blood sugar level in the case of diabetic hypoglycemia,
Sarah Bond says
They will act similarly, yes!
Peter Hamilton says
why are mandarins sour
Sarah Bond says
The citric acid! 🙂
Robert wAlsh says
after reading about mandarin oranges I’m going to eat more of them now they are very good for me and taste so good. At 85 yrs old I need them for my health. I love clementines also but guess I don’t know how to spell it.
max says
Mandarins are not a variety of orange. They are one of the two ancestors of the orange, the other is the pomelo(or shaddock). An orange is a hybrid of the Mandarin and pomelo.
Sheryl says
Why won’t my tangerine orange tree turn orange they are yellow and stay yellow for months and months??
Sarah Bond says
Perhaps there’s a nutrient deficiency? That’s pretty out of my scope, unfortunately!
John Wood says
How do tangerines propagate without seeds?
Sarah Bond says
Growers harvest small twigs from the seedless trees, and graft the twigs onto other types of tangerine trees!
Chet thomas says
Thanks. I found this article informative.