Also known as “kid-glove” oranges, Mandarin is the name for a type of orange with thin, loose peel. These oranges are usually treated as associates of the Citrus Reticulata Blanco species.
As an alternative name to the whole group, the name “tangerine” can be applied. In the market however, it is normally restrained to the type that has reddish-orange peel. Mandarina is what Spanish-speaking people in the tropics of America call them while in the Philippines, all mandarin oranges are known as naranjita.
Depending on the variety, the mandarin tree has the same size as that of the sweet orange, or it can be much smaller. Some of these trees, when they’re older can reach as high as 25 ft or about 7.5 m and has greater spread. Usually, the tree is thorny. Its twigs are slender and the leaves are lance-like. The fruit, rather than being spherical is oblate or pumpkin-shaped.
Although the mandarin orange is considered native to south-eastern Asia as well as the Philippines, it is abundantly grown in Southern China, Japan, India, and the East Indies. Furthermore, in Australia, it is valued for home consumption.
Mandarin oranges or tangerines are considered customary representations of wealth and good luck. During Chinese New Year, they are often displayed as decorations during the two-week celebration. They are also given as gifts to business associates, relatives and friends.
The mandarin oranges are enjoyed best from early November up until the summer’s season peak in June. When choosing the fruit from the basket, pick the ones that don’t have unsightly marks and are heavier than they look. A brighter-coloured mandarin doesn’t always mean that they’re fresh. Some growers often use dyes to make the fruit look brighter but on the other hand, mandarins even when they’re fully ripe and sweet, can have green patches on them.
You can easily peel the mandarin with your fingers. Begin at the rind that covers the depression at the top of the fruit. When the fruit is completely peeled, you can now split it to equal segments without squirting any juices. Because utensils are not needed to cut or peel the fruit, eating the mandarin is very convenient.
Aside from being very beneficial to our health as mandarin oranges provide vitamin C and has fibre, they are also good sources of essential oils that can be extracted from the peels. These oils are very useful in flavouring ice creams, candies and carbonated beverages. Mandarin orange juice is popular in Korea.
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