On the outside, tangerines and clementines are very similar. Both fruits are significantly smaller than an orange, have an orange-colored skin and smell seductive - the fruit skins of both citrus types contain oil-secreting glands that are responsible for the intense scent. Many a citrus lover believes that clementines are just mandarins with few seeds. In reality, however, the differences go much further.
origin
First of all, there is a big difference in terms of geographical origin and botanical classification. The tangerine originally comes from China, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. The tangerine tree was first attested in the 12th century BC. The name of the fruit is also of Chinese origin, it owes it to the high state officials who were called "Mandarin". The clementine, on the other hand, does not have its roots in Asia - like almost all citrus plants - but in the Mediterranean region. This fruit was originally a random cross between a tangerine and a bitter orange. It was discovered in 1912 in the garden of a monk working in Algeria, Frère Clément.
What is a satsuma?
The satsuma is a mostly seedless variant of the tangerine. This tangerine variety is less aromatic than the original, but more popular due to its seedless nature. The satsuma comes from Japan, where the tangerine has been cultivated since the first century BC.
fruit
Differences between tangerines and clementines are not only to be found in their origin, but also in the respective fruit itself.
- The tangerine has nine fruit segments inside, which are separated from each other by a thin membrane.
- The clementine is between eight and twelve.
- In contrast to tangerines, clementines have few or no seeds.
- Clementines have a higher sugar content than tangerines and are therefore sweeter.
- Mandarins can be stored for a maximum of one to two weeks, until the skin separates from the flesh and finally dries up.
- Clementines are much more storable: they can be kept at cool temperatures for up to eight weeks without losing their juice.
ingredients and calories
Mandarin and clementine are similar in terms of their ingredients and the number of calories, although there are major differences in the amount of vitamin C and folic acid.
- 100 grams of tangerine has an average of 46 kcal, while the same amount of clementine has 37 kcal.
- 100 grams of tangerine provides about 30 milligrams of vitamin C, 33 milligrams of calcium, 210 milligrams of potassium and seven milligrams of folic acid.
- The same amount of clementine contains, on average, 54 milligrams of vitamin C, 30 milligrams of calcium, 130 milligrams of potassium, and 33 milligrams of folic acid.
Incidentally, the tangerine is one of the oldest and most original types of citrus. Many citrus plants are the result of crossing the tangerine, for example the orange. This was created by a random crossing of tangerine and grapefruit.
tips and tricks
The tangerine is relatively easy to cultivate in a container. However, the clementine is less demanding. As a Mediterranean plant, it is less sensitive to cold and more robust than the tangerine.
IJA