Clementine vs Tangerine
Orange, a well-known citrus fruit, is called and known differently in various parts of the world due to its many different varieties and species. One such variety is Mandarin, found mostly in Southern China, which includes Satsuma, Owari, Clementine, Tangerine, Tangore, and others. Although tangerine and clementine both come from the same citrus reticulate genus of mandarin, they have many differences.
Key Takeaways
- Tangerines and clementines both belong to the mandarin variety of oranges, primarily grown in Southern China.
- Clementines are seedless, smaller, and sweeter than tangerines, which are larger and contain a few seeds.
- The clementine is more reddish-orange, while the tangerine is pale orange in color.
All tangerines and clementines are mandarins, but not all mandarins are tangerines or clementines, as there are many more varieties. People tend to prefer clementines because they are seedless, making them easier to eat and juice. Interestingly, clementines are seasonal, while tangerines are more commonly found in the market. Tangerines with tight skin are harder to peel and less tasty, so it’s better to purchase ones with soft skin.
Clementine trees can only be grown by grafting a shoot onto rootstock since they have no seeds. They are the smallest in the mandarin family and sweeter than tangerines. On the other hand, tangerines have a flatter shape and loose skin, making them easier to peel.
In terms of nomenclature, clementine is said to have been discovered by Father Clement Rodier in his Algerian orphanage, although there are claims that the fruit originated in China. Tangerines are named as such because they were brought to the Tangiers port from China and then exported to the Western world.
