Visually, tangerines and clementines are very similar. They are considered the smaller versions of oranges, although they have a much more intense taste than their "big siblings". The Citrus reticulata and the Citrus × clementina also show interesting differences among themselves. These allow the two citrus fruits to be easily distinguished in terms of appearance and taste.

origin

The first differences can be found in the origin. In the case of the tangerine, this extends far into the time before Christ, when the tangerine tree was first mentioned in China.
The origin of the clementine, on the other hand, is in the Mediterranean region. A monk named Frère Clément found the fruit in an Algerian garden in 1912. This citrus fruit owes its name to him, which was derived from his last name.

plant type

While the tangerine is a citrus plant from the rue family, the clementine is a hybrid that resulted from the crossing of a tangerine and a bitter orange.

external difference

Both citrus fruits have a strong orange color of the peel and a sweetish smell also emanates from both of them. Clementine peels are a slightly darker orange in color and are usually slightly larger than tangerines in direct comparison.

Tangerines have a thinner, more elastic skin. The skin of the hybrid variety, on the other hand, is thicker, fits tightly to the flesh and cannot be detached as easily as the skin of a tangerine. Due to the thicker skin, a clementine is also less sensitive to pressure.

tip: There is a simple trick to make peeling easier: cut the “ends” straight off at the top and bottom, then make a lengthwise cut from top to bottom and simply bend the peel apart.

Fruit Heart

Most of the differences can be found inside the fruit:

tangerine clementine
cores Yes none to few
segments 9 8 - 12
separated by thin membranes right next to each other
pulp strong orange tone much lighter and slightly yellowish

tip: If the product is not organic from the region, pesticides could have been used abroad to secure crop yields. Then it is advisable to wash the citrus fruits carefully before eating them or to wash your hands thoroughly after peeling them so that no residues of pesticides are absorbed by the body.

taste

Mandarins can be recognized by their full-bodied and intensely fruity-aromatic taste. Clementines have a sweeter flavor that clearly distinguishes them from citrus reticulata.

durability

Mandarins have an average shelf life of one to two weeks. Because the skin loosely surrounds the flesh, the inside of the fruit dries up more quickly. A Citrus × clementina, on the other hand, is up to eight weeks significantly more durable. This is due to the tight-fitting peel, which keeps the flesh juicy longer and protects it from drying out.

This information relates to cool storage. The warmer the ambient temperature, the shorter their shelf life.

ingredients

All citrus fruits have healthy ingredients - some more, some less. The direct comparison between Citrus reticulata and Citrus × clementina shows it:

100 grams of tangerines contain:

  • 33 milligrams of calcium
  • 210 milligrams of potassium
  • Seven milligrams of folic acid
  • 30 milligrams of vitamin C
  • 10 grams of carbohydrates
  • 0.7 grams of protein (protein)
  • 11 milligrams of magnesium
  • 100 grams of clementines contain:
  • 30 milligrams of calcium
  • 130 milligrams of potassium
  • 33 milligrams of folic acid
  • 54 milligrams of vitamin C
  • 12 grams of carbohydrates
  • 850 milligrams of protein (protein)
  • 10 milligrams of magnesium

calorie differences

Although the clementine tastes sweeter than a tangerine, it only has 47 calories per 100 grams. Tangerines, on the other hand, have 57 calories per 100 grams.

Hardiness of the citrus family

The tangerine tree does not tolerate the sub-zero temperatures in winter. Thus it has to spend this in a frost-free winter quarters. Clementine trees, on the other hand, are more robust and cold-resistant. Due to their European origin, they can cope well with winter temperatures and can overwinter outdoors.

Category:

Garden plants