The mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), also known as the mandarin or mandarine, is a small citrus tree fruit. Treated as a distinct species of orange, it is usually eaten plain or in fruit salads. Tangerines are a group of orange-coloured citrus fruit consisting of hybrids of mandarin orange with some pomelo contribution.

Mandarins are smaller and oblate, unlike the spherical common oranges (which are a mandarin–pomelo hybrid). The taste is considered sweeter and stronger than the common orange.^[rx] A ripe mandarin is firm to slightly soft, heavy for its size, and pebbly-skinned. The peel is thin, loose,^[rx] with little white mesocarp,^[rx] so they are usually easier to peel and to split into segments.^[rx] Hybrids usually have these traits to a lesser degree. The mandarin is tender and is damaged easily by cold. It can be grown in tropical and subtropical areas.^[rx][rx]

Mandarin is a small tree that consists of fruits. It is mostly eaten as fruit salads or plain. The reddish-orange mandarin cultivars are tangerines but not considered a botanical classification. It differs from oranges due to its small size and less spherical in shape. It has got sweet, sour and strong taste. It is soft and heavy with pebbly skin. It has a white mesocarp with a very thin peel which makes it easy to peel and split into segments. More than the fruit the tree has more drought-tolerant. Cold can damage it easily and it is tender. Citron, mandarin, papeda, and pomelo were the ancestors of the citrus varieties. Through natural hybridization, it is the sweet fruit among the parental species.

Plant

It is a small and evergreen tree that grows to the height of 3 to 5 meters high with numerous spiny branchlets. Leaves are 6 to 8 cm long, unifoliolate, and ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate. Flowers are bisexual, white, and 1 to 3 in axillary fascicles. The calyx is 3 to 5 lobed irregularly, petals white, style long and slender with clavate stigma. Fruit is oblate or pyriform, subglobose, 5 to 9 cm across with rind green that turns glossy bright yellow, orange to reddish-orange. The rind is smooth, rough, or warty.

Health Benefits of Mandarin Oranges

Mandarin oranges have a pleasant taste. It can prevent cancer and weight gain with other health benefits as well.

1. Prevents Cancer

Mandarin orange contains carotenoids which prevent liver cancer. It is also rich in Vitamin A. The hepatitis C patients observed the protection from liver cancer by the intake of juice of this orange due to the presence of beta-cryptoxanthin in huge amounts. Due to its richness in limonene, it has anti-cancer properties as well.

2. Good source of Vitamin C

Mandarin is rich in Vitamin C which helps to fight against the free radicals with its antioxidant properties which can cause infectious disease and cancer. The discharge of free radicals, it also prevents cellular damage.

3. Decrease  Cholesterol problems

Mandarin oranges produce synephrine by reducing cholesterol production. It increases good cholesterol production and reduces bad cholesterol production which is performed by the presence of the antioxidant. It helps to from getting cholesterol stick to the artery wall. These fruits are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber which is pectin and hemicellulose.

4. Reduces Blood pressure

Due to the presence of the minerals and nutrients like potassium, it reduces blood pressure levels. It keeps the blood pressure normal by letting the blood flow through the arteries smoothly.

5. Helps individuals fight infections

As Vitamin C is a natural water-soluble antioxidant, the presence of 87 percent of Vitamin C in mandarin orange helps to fight against infectious agents and removes free radicals which might be a cause of cancer.

6. Assists in Weight loss

As mandarins are rich in fiber, it helps to assist in weight loss by keeping the stomach full for longer time intervals. The mandarin orange lowers insulin and uses the stored sugars and converted fats as a fuel which leads to weight loss.

7. Healthy Immune System

Vitamin C is necessary to have a healthy immune system. Due to its anti-microbial properties, it prevents infection of wounds. Mandarin is a blood purifier that clears wastes from the body. It helps to prevent cramps and vomiting by preventing spasms in the digestive and nervous systems.

8. Inhibits the Growth of Leukemia

The risk of leukemia is lessened by the presence of tangeretin in mandarin oranges and a flavone in citrus peels.

9. Strong Bone health

Bone and teeth are formed by hydroxyapatite with a combination of calcium and phosphorus. Both minerals should be included in the diet to prevent osteoporosis. Magnesium activates enzymes and regulates the formation of hydroxyapatite which is necessary for maintaining bone health.

10. Flawless skin

Every woman wants blemish-free and flawless skin. One should not spend money in a parlor for flawless skin. Mandarin can provide a bright, healthy skin tone by improving skin tone with complexion.

11. Helpful for pregnant women and their babies

Mandarin orange is the finest source of providing vitamin-B complexes like folic acid and folate. If the pregnant woman lacks folic acid then it leads to the birth of underweight infants as well as neutral defects in newborns.

12. Fights wrinkles

Mandarin orange helps to fight wrinkle problems. Those in the early thirties who feel patchiness on the skin may be due to the bad skin routine or lack of miniaturization. So mandarin orange helps to get rid of wrinkles in an effective way.

13. Heals wounds

The mandarin oil which is extracted from mandarins helps to grow new cells and tissues. It also speeds up the healing process.

14. Help improve the heart’s health

The presence of vitamin C and B6, potassium, and fiber in mandarin orange is known for the improvement of heart’s health. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in the United States, many people don’t get the recommended 4700 mg (milligrams) of potassium though there are benefits of more potassium intake. Those who consume 4069 mg of potassium per day had a lower risk of ischemic heart disease than those whose potassium intake was less than that which was suggested by one study.

15. Diabetes Prevention

Mandarin orange helps to prevent diabetes due to its presence of flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 10 milligrams of naringenin and 8 milligrams of hesperetin are contained in 100 grams of naringenin, flavonoids from the flavanone family.

16. Reduces Constipation

Due to the presence of high fiber content in the mandarin oranges, it helps to avoid constipation. Constipation is treated by promoting digestion and supporting easy bowel movements.

17. Makes your hair grow

Due to its richness in Vitamin E and Vitamin B12, it provides beautiful, thick, and long hair. The hair thinning or balding may be helped by applying a paste of honey and oranges to the hair and keeping it for half an hour. Then the hair should be washed with herbal shampoo.

History of the Mandarin Orange

Mandarin tree grew as long as 3000 years ago in Northeast India. It was descended from the wild oranges. Before mandarins is found in the other parts of the world, they traveled from India to China, China to Europe, North Africa, and Australia. In 1805, it was brought from China to England. In the next decade, it was brought to Italy which spread to various Mediterranean countries after its wide cultivation. In Australia, mandarin was introduced in the 1820s.

When it was introduced to England, mandarin got its nickname. In the 1840s, the mandarin was introduced by the Italian consul in New Orleans into the United States. It spread to California and Florida from New Orleans.

In the 19^th century, when they were imported from Morocco to North Africa, the varieties of mandarins which are deep orange in color got the name tangerine.

Types of Mandarin Oranges

The various classes of mandarin cultivars are as follows:

A. Class I, Mandarin:

1. Changsa

Change is the orange-red fruit which is sweet, seedy, and insipid. They mature in the fall. The tree is cold resistant which survives 4⁰ F (-15.56⁰C) at Arlington, Texas.

2. Le-dar

Le-dar was discovered from a climbing branch in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia in 1959. Darrow named owner found that the bud wood from the branch has a climbing tendency. Langbecker Nurseries undertook the commercial propagation and in 1965 when 5000 budded trees were put on sale, the name was trademarked. The high quality of large fruits with rich color was produced by the budded trees but matures a later than a parent.

3. Emperor

Emperor is a large, oblate fruit with 9-10 segments that has long seeds. It was originated in Australia. It matures during midseason. It is grown on rough lemon rootstock.

4. Oneco

Oneco is introduced in 1888 in Florida by P.W. Reasoner. It is found medium to large with an oblate to faintly pear-shaped. It contains 5-10 seeds with a rich sweet flavor.

5. Willow-leaf

Willow leaf is a medium-sized fruit with an oblate to rounded shape which contains 10-12 segments along with 15-20 seeds, very juicy and sweet flavor. The tree is medium to small with willowy branches, slim leaves, and thornless. Seed is used to reproduce.

B. Class II, Tangerine

1. Clementine

In 1909, clementine was introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture in Florida and in 1914 from Florida to California and also brought in Algeria from the Government Experiment Station. It has a medium-size from round to elliptical shape. It is 5-6.1 cm wide and 5-7 cm high. The peel has got deep orange-red color. It has 8-12 segments with smooth, thick, glossy, loose, smooth, and puffy. The tree is thornless of medium size. It is also known as Algerian Tangerine.

2. Cleopatra

Cleopatra was introduced before 1888 from Jamaica to Florida. The peel of the fruit is dark orange-red with oblate and small in size. It is seedy. It is ornamental which is used in Florida and Japan as rootstock. It is also known as Pinki or Spice.

3. Dancy

Dancy which was found at Buena Vista, Florida was brought into cultivation in 1871/1872. It is oblate or pear-shaped. This fruit is medium size with 5.7-7.5 cm wide and 4-5.4 cm high. The peel has got orange-red to red in color. The pulp is dark-orange with 10-14 segments and 6-20 seeds. It is rich in flavor. It is mainly grown in Florida then secondarily in California and Arizona to a small extent. The tree is cold-tolerant and vigorous.

4. Ponkan

Ponkan which is also known as Chinese Honey Orange is around to oblate shape large fruit 7-8 cm wide. The peel is orange is smooth which is furrowed at the base and apex. It has 9-12 segments with a very aromatic, sweet, juicy, and quality pulp with few seeds. This tree can also be maintained as a dwarf.

5. Robinson

Robinson is the result of pollinating the Clementine tangerine with Orlando tangelo. It was introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Horticultural Field Station for cultivation in 1960. It consists of 10-12 seeds. It did not earn much popularity because of the recent practice of spraying Ethrel to speed up coloring on the tree.

6. Sunburst

Sunburst is the hybrid of Robinson and Osceola in 1967. In 1970, sunburst was reproduced on several rootstocks. In 1979, it was released in Florida. The fruit is medium-sized with oblate and 6.25-7.5 cm wide. In Central Florida, the peel is orange to scarlet but orange in the Indian River area. It has pulp with 11-15 segments with 10-20 seeds and colorful juice. It matures from mid-November to mid-December. The tree is self-infertile, thornless, vigorous, and early bearing.

C. Class III, Satsuma (sometimes marketed as “Emerald Tangerine”)

Satsuma has originated about 350 years ago in Japan. It has survived 12⁰F (-11.11⁰C) which shows that it is highly cold resistant. It is a sweet orange in California and in Florida, it is budded onto Poncirus trifoliate.

1. Owari

Owari is around to oblate or pear shape fruit of medium size with 4-6.1 cm wide and 4-6.25 cm high. The peel is thin, tough, slightly rough, and orange in color. It has 1-4 seeds or is seedless. It matures early. The tree is small, large-leaved, thornless, and has no wings on petioles. It is cultivated in Northern Florida, Other Gulf states, Alabama, and less in California.

2. Wase

Wase was discovered before 1895 in Japan which was believed to be a bud sport of Owari. It was planted on a large scale before 1910 in Japan. The fruit is oblate or rounded or conical with 5.71 widths and 4.5 cm high. The peel is thin and smooth with orange in color. It has 10 segments with sweet pulp. It matures very early. The tree is slow-growing, dwarf, and has heavy bearing. In Southern Alabama and California, its plantation is finite or limited.

3. Kara

Kara is a fruit that has 5.4-7.5 cm in width and is 5.4-7cm high. Its peel is deep-orange to orange-yellow but lumpy and wrinkled at the apex. It is puffy with age. It has 10-13 segments with aromatic, tender, and very juicy pulp. It is acid until it is ripe then it tastes sweet. It consists of 12-20 large seeds and is sometimes seedless. It matures late in the season. The tree is thornless, narrowly winged petiole, and vigorous with large leaves. It is widely grown in coastal California.

How to select

• Always look for undamaged fruits. These are good in quality.
• Look for glossy fruits when selecting.
• Weigh the fruit down with your hand. Always pick the heavier one.
• Heavy mandarins mean more juice.
• Never pick soft ones.
• Watch out for rotten fruits and those with cuts. Avoid them at all costs.

How to store

• The fruit can be stored about a week.
• Never wash mandarins before storing.
• If wet, it can encourage growth of fungus and spoil the fruit.
• If not consumed within a week, you can refrigerate it for some days. Refrigeration can extend its life up to 2 weeks.

References

Previous

Mandarin Orange - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Next

Citron Fruit - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Related Articles

Added to wishlistRemoved from wishlist 0

Phosphorus

Added to wishlistRemoved from wishlist 0

Ice Apple

Added to wishlistRemoved from wishlist 0

Vitamin K Deficiency

Added to wishlistRemoved from wishlist 0

What Is a Ketogenic Diet?