When you're craving a healthy snack, you can't go wrong with a piece of fruit or two. Some of the most popular options include tangerines and oranges, as they're easy to transport thanks to their thick skin, not to mention they taste delicious and fresh too. However, if you're wondering what the difference actually is between these two citrus fruits, and others such as clementines, satsumas and mandarins, you're not alone. People have been discussing this for years, and although they might seem very similar, there are a few stark differences. One contains way more vitamin C than the rest, more fibre too, while others have a much sweeter and more delicate taste.
According to the experts at Healthline, tangerines, oranges and other citrus fruits are members of the same family, explaining their similarities. In actual fact, they're different species of fruit with completely different origins. Tangerines are named that way because they used to be transported through Tangier in Morocco. They're sometimes labelled as mandarins, which is the overarching category for these fruits. Clementines and satsumas also fall under this category. Meanwhile, oranges are thought to have originated from southern China and Indonesia. They're a hybrid of a mandarin and a pomelo, and you can get a few different varieties, such as blood oranges, sweet oranges and navel oranges.
What's the difference between oranges and other citrus fruits?
The major difference between these citrus fruits is their appearance. Oranges are a lot bigger and rounder, whereas tangerines are small and soft, and have a slightly flatter look. Oranges can be slightly yellowy in colour too, whereas tangerines tend to be a deeper orange shade. Meanwhile mandarins, which are still a type of orange, are generally smaller and sweeter than oranges, a little flatter in shape, and they have a thinner, looser skin that makes them easier to peel. Clementines are the smallest type of mandarin orange. They are very sweet, seedless, and have red-orange skins that are smooth and shiny. And satsumas, which originate in Japan, are a lighter shade of orange, also very juicy and seedless, and are the easiest to peel.
Which of these fruits is healthiest?
There's no right answer here, as the nutritional content of oranges and other citrus fruits are fairly similar. However, when it comes to vitamin C, oranges are the winner, as there's double the amount compared to tangerines, and clementines are also very high in this nutrient. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to support your immune system and helps your body to absorb iron, so it's vital that you're getting enough of it in your diet, as your body can't naturally produce it. Oranges also have slightly more fibre than tangerines too. However, tangerines and satsumas are higher in vitamin A, and both fruits are a good source of potassium and folate as well. Clementines are the lowest in calories and sugar, but all are perfect for a healthy snack.
How to enjoy them
These citrus fruits are delicious on their own, so they're best enjoyed sliced up and eaten as a healthy snack. However, you can also squeeze them to make juice, or blend them up with other fruits and vegetables to make your own healthy concoction. When it comes to storage, they can either be kept in the fridge or on the countertop in your kitchen. They may not last as long if they're kept in the fruit bowl, so it's worth keeping this in mind.
