This post contains affiliate links.
These sweet little juice bombs are a gift from nature, and weāre 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 āmandarinā. 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, ātangerineā.
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 āCutiesā or āSweetiesā 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 ātangerineā was originally just another word for the fruit āmandarinā, 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 youāll find these in colder climates. This variety has a thick but delicate skin, meaning itās 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
Youāll 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 theyāll 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:
Mandarin Orange Nutrition Information
Mandarin oranges are loaded with nutrients! Iāll 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!
Will mandarins act like oranges in raising blood sugar level in the case of diabetic hypoglycemia,
They will act similarly, yes!
why are mandarins sour
The citric acid! š
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.
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.
Why won’t my tangerine orange tree turn orange they are yellow and stay yellow for months and months??
Perhaps there’s a nutrient deficiency? That’s pretty out of my scope, unfortunately!
How do tangerines propagate without seeds?
Growers harvest small twigs from the seedless trees, and graft the twigs onto other types of tangerine trees!
Thanks. I found this article informative.
I have ckd stage4 are mandarin oranges healthy for me.
Hi Patricia! I can’t give any dietary advice unfortunately, definitely a good question for your doc!
You’re wrong, I was a migrant worker back in the 70’s and picked and clipped citrus fruits and what you refer to a ” Mandarin Orange” was called a Tangerine when we clipped them. The reason was because the skin of the Mandarin Orange ” was exactly like a Tangerine was exactly like a Tangerine . You peeled it like a Tangerine not cut it like you do and Orange.
lately the mandarins that come from Morocco in bags ,have been very hard or dry or bad even tho they look fine in the bag…more often than not….what are the suppliers up to? I am in Canada