A Closer Look at Tangerines and Oranges : How Are They Different?

Tangerines and oranges are both members of the citrus family. Tangerines are a richer source of vitamin A, while oranges offer more vitamin C and fibre per serving.

Tangerines and oranges are citrus fruits that are often confused for one another.

They both contain an assortment of nutrients, are relatively sweet in flavour and are generally low in calories.

But while tangerines and oranges are closely related, they are actually two separate fruits with some notable differences.

This article explains the key similarities and differences between tangerines and oranges.

They Are From the Same Family
Tangerines and oranges have similar qualities because they are members of the same family. They may look alike, but they are actually two different species of fruit with separate origins and varieties.

Tangerines are a subgroup of mandarin, while oranges are a hybrid of the pomelo and mandarin fruits. Oranges originated in Asia. Tangerines were first grown and cultivated as a distinct crop in the Americas by a Major Atway in Palatka, Florida. Atway was said to have imported them from Morocco (more specifically its third-largest city Tangier), which was the origin of the name.

They Have Different Appearances
The main distinction between tangerines and oranges is size. Oranges come in different sizes and slightly different shapes, depending on the variety. However, as a rule of thumb, oranges grow to a larger size than tangerines.

Oranges are larger and more rounded than tangerines. They both can be seedless or have seeds. Most orange varieties are yellowish-orange, while tangerines are more reddish-orange.

Their Flavours Vary Slightly
The flavours of tangerines and oranges vary, but it depends largely on the variety of each fruit. Both tangerines and oranges can be sweet or tart. However, most tangerines are less tart and sweeter than oranges. Tangerines also tend to have a stronger flavour profile than oranges and a shorter aftertaste.

One exception to this is the blood orange. Blood oranges have a distinct flavour profile that differs from most varieties of tangerines and oranges. Blood oranges tend to have a very rich taste that is not overly sweet with a hint of berry-like flavour.

Tangerines Are Generally Easier to Peel
The rinds of tangerines and oranges is another main difference between the two. Both tangerines and oranges have a thin skin. However, oranges have a tighter skin and thus are usually more difficult to peel than tangerines. Many tangerine varieties are known for their “zipper-skin,” meaning once the skin is torn, it slides off easily.

They Have a Very Similar Nutrient Content
A whole tangerine has a high water content (85%), consists mostly of carbs (4% of daily value) and contains almost no fat.

Likewise, a whole orange has a high water content (87%), consists mostly of carbs (4% of daily value) and contains almost no fat.

One notable difference between the nutrient profile of tangerines versus oranges is that oranges have more than double the amount of vitamin C.

That said, tangerines contain more vitamin A per serving. One 3.5-ounce serving of tangerine provides 14% of the daily value, while oranges offer 4%.

Both tangerines and oranges provide a good variety of nutrients, including potassium, thiamine and folate. Either fruit can be a nutritious, low-calorie addition to your diet.

How to Eat and Enjoy Them
The best way to eat both tangerines and oranges is to simply peel them and eat them. Since tangerines are easier to peel, they can be used as a quick and easy snack, especially when you’re on the go. Both make great additions to salads, too.

When choosing a ripe tangerine, you will want to look for fruits that are deep in colour, semi-soft and avoid those with brown spots.

Oranges don’t necessarily have to be bright in colour to be ripe, but you will want to choose oranges that are firm and have smoothly textured skin.

Both tangerines and oranges can be stored on the countertop at room temperature or in the refrigerator, depending on your preference.

The above, and more, can be seen at original article here 

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The Difference between Oranges, Mandarins, Tangerines, Satsumas and Clementine's - read it here

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