Mandarin or clementine? We explain the difference.

It all started with the mandarin. Its homeland is Southeast Asia, where this crop has been grown for over 4000 years. But the history of the clementine is much shorter and originates on a completely different continent.

This fruit is a natural hybrid of the Mediterranean mandarin and the sweet orange. It got its name in honor of the French missionary Clément Rodier. It was he who, in the late 19th century, found an unusual tree in the garden of a children's shelter in Algeria and was the first to take care of it. The name "clementine" was officially assigned to the fruit only in 1902.

It can be difficult to distinguish them externally, but an attentive buyer will notice the difference.

Clementines usually have a richer dark orange color and a smooth, glossy surface. Because they peel very easily, in English-speaking countries they are often sold under the label "Easy-peelers."

Another secret lies inside: if the pulp of a mandarin is usually divided into 9 segments, then in a clementine their number varies from 7 to 14.

But the main difference is in taste. Clementines are generally juicier and sweeter, with less acid than oranges or mandarins. The latter are chosen by those who like a pronounced citrus aroma with a characteristic sourness.

In addition, clementines are loved by customers because they almost never have seeds. This is not an absolute rule (sometimes seeds are found in them), but compared to ordinary mandarins, they are much easier to peel and eat.

Павялічыць

The geography of supplies to Belarus is quite wide, and different countries have their own specialization. Turkey remains the main supplier: the bulk of mandarins come to us from there.

If you are looking for sweet and juicy clementines, pay attention to fruits from North Africa — Morocco and Egypt. But only classic mandarins are brought from Abkhazia — the very ones with a characteristic sourness and the "smell of childhood."

How to store

To maintain the festive mood and freshness of the fruit longer, you need to remember about proper storage. A dense peel is a natural packaging, and clementines have a slightly thicker one, so they dry out more slowly.

However, both types feel best in a cool place — from 0 to 9 degrees Celsius. The ideal place for them is a shelf in the refrigerator or a cool pantry, where they can lie for up to six weeks.

Why are they so useful?

These citrus fruits contain twice as much fiber as apples. In addition, they are rich in vitamin C. To get the daily norm, an adult only needs to eat 3-4 fruits.

Orange fruits contain vitamins B1, B2 and niacin, as well as beneficial carotenoids, which are important for eye and skin health.

And finally, an important tip from nutritionists. When you peel the fruit, don't rush to remove the white mesh from the pulp. This layer, which scientists call albedo, is a real treasure.

It is in it, in addition to fiber and vitamin C, that secondary plant substances and antioxidants are contained. They protect the body's cells from free radicals and slow down the aging process. Therefore, eating mandarins and clementines together with "white" is even healthier.

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