The Difference Between Mandarin Oranges And Clementines - Tasting Table

"Hey, what's the difference between a mandarin and a clementine? I dunno but watch out, one of 'em looks a little "seedy." Ba-dum-tss! Seriously though, if you've ever found yourself wondering, you're not alone. While the common navel orange is easily recognizable, when it comes to its smaller cousins, things can get pretty confusing, especially when grocery stores don't always label citrus fruit accurately."

"Mandarin oranges are actually a larger, umbrella category that contains many varieties of mandarins such as clementines, tangerines, and the increasingly harder to find satsuma mandarins. And those are three of some of the more well-known mandarins, though the University of California, Riverside, lists nearly too many varieties to count. Bottom line: A clementine, by definition, is always a mandarin, but a mandarin is not always a clementine."

Mandarin oranges form a larger category that contains many varieties such as clementines, tangerines, and satsumas. A clementine is always a mandarin, but a mandarin is not always a clementine. Mandarins are generally smaller than regular sweet oranges, and clementines rank among the smallest mandarins with a vibrant red-orange hue and a slightly flattened (oblate) shape. Clementines are commonly sold under brand names like 'Cuties,' 'Sweeties,' and 'Halos,' though grocery stores sometimes label them generically as mandarins. Mandarins tend to be sweeter than regular oranges while retaining some tartness, and clementines are known as one of the sweetest mandarin varieties. The University of California, Riverside lists a very large number of mandarin varieties, and retail labeling can be inconsistent.

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