Tangerine
Called the younger sister of an orange – grows in a form of an ever-green shrub or small tree reaching even up to eight meters. Its oval-shaped leaves are placed on short, narrowly winged shanks, while its flowers are white or pink. It is cultivated practically all over the world. Due to its origin, it is most intensively cultivated in China, and also in India, Japan, Malaysia, USA and the Mediterranean Sea countries.
Product information
Tangerine tree fruit has a 6-7cm diameter, is round and slightly flattened from above and below. A ripe tangerine has yellowish-green, green-orange or orange skin. Some varieties are seedless, while the others have white, pointy and oval pits.
There are many tangerine varieties, with the most popular ones including:
• clementine – cross-bred from tangerine and bitter orange,
• tangelo – cross-bred from tangerine and grapefruit,
• satsuma – valued due to absence of pits.
Tangerines have many therapeutic properties. They stimulate the immune system, improve skin condition, protect against eye diseases, are supportive in reducing obesity, prevent cardiac diseases and diabetes. The fruits are rich in vitamin C, A and B group vitamins. They contain also folic acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, iron and zinc.
They are usually consumed raw. Tangerines can be added to salads, desserts and cakes as well as used for production of jams, marmalades and liqueurs. They can also be candied.