What's The Difference Between Mandarins, Clementines, And Tangerines?

Winter and spring are orange seasons, and we love making recipes featuring citrus fruit. Shop at the farmers' market or the produce aisle of your favorite grocery store and you'll notice an increase in the citrus selection this time of year. If you've ever wondered if there's a difference between a mandarin and a tangerine or if there is a difference between a tangerine and a clementine, you're not alone. 

Keep reading to find out about what makes mandarins, clementines, and tangerines different from one another.

What Is A Mandarin

Mandarins are part of the orange family. These citrus fruits have numerous varieties, such as tangerine and clementine, and botanically are part of the group Citrus reticulata. They have a bright orange-colored skin. Mandarins are known for their easy-to-peel skin, sweet and juicy flavor, and small size. 

• When to buy: Because there are so many mandarin varieties, they can be grown in different regions. This is why you'll find them available year-round in most grocery stores. You may notice they're more commonly available in the winter and there's a good reason– winter is harvest time, especially in California. Farmers are shipping their recently picked citrus to grocery stores. 
• How to store and use: Mandarins are also often pre-packed in mesh bags or in wooden crates. These citrus fruits are commonly preserved and canned with a sugar syrup, too and used for baking a cake or making mandarin marmalade. 

What Is A Tangerine

Tangerines (Citrus tangerina) are believed to originate from Southeast Asia. The story goes that tangerines were exported through the port of Tangier, Morocco, giving these citrus fruits their name. In the United States, these dark orange, small, rounded fruits are typically called mandarins. All tangerines are a type of mandarin but the reverse isn't true–not every mandarin is a tangerine. 

• When to buy: Tangerines typically arrive in the produce section in November through April or May, depending on the harvest year. 
• How to store and use: Tangerines are an easy fruit to eat any time of day, and are also a good choice for juicing or baking. You may even consider tossing them into a green salad to add brightness and sweetness, especially in the colder months. 

What Is A Clementine?

Clementines (Citrus × clementina), are a type of mandarin orange, and because they are easy-to-peel and don't have seeds are often marketed for children. Clementines are considered one of the easiest types of mandarins to peel. These citrus fruits are juicy, sweet, and small, making them wonderful to take with you on-the-go to accompany a lunch, a snack, or after a workout. Clementines can be mistaken for tangerines but some characteristics make them easy to distinguish if you know what to look for. 

Tangerines are rounder in shape and tend to be flatter at the top and bottom so they may not roll as easily. Clementines, on the other hand, have an oval form. 

You've likely eaten clementines and may not have known it. That is, if you've ever picked up a pack of "Cuties" or "Halos" –  a brand that uses different varieties of clementines– then you've eaten clementines.

• When to buy: Similar to tangerines, you'll find clementines at the store in late fall through spring.