Miniature mandarin orange may perhaps not look like an impressive fruit, but it contains lots of nutrients.
Table of Contents
What is Mandarin Orange?
Tiny mandarin orange happens to be a sweet type of orange that does grow no larger than 8 centimeters in size. It does contain more sugar than most other citrus varieties, making it thus very popular for desserts and as a children’s snack. Mandarins are actually traditional gifts for the Chinese New Year and Christmas and can be found in a variety of recipes, from salads to even fruitcakes. Mandarin orange is also made use of in both Chinese traditional and Ayurvedic medicine.
Varieties of of Mandarin Orange
There are several varieties of mandarin orange, including pure mandarins, non-pure mandarins, mandarin cross, Mangshanyegan, clementines, tangerines, and Satsuma among others.
Pure Mandarins:
Pure mandarins are rather an heirloom varieties such as Tachibana and Nanfengmiju that have stayed close to the original Asian mandarin strains.
Non-pure Mandarins:
These are no doubt varieties that are slightly mixed with other citrus fruit, most commonly being pomelo, but retain mostly mandarin distinctions. Satsumas, tangerines, and murcotts are all non-pure mandarins.
Mandarin Cross:
Mandarin crosses are hybridized varieties where the Mandarin has been equally mixed with another citrus to produce commonly known fruits, such as Meyer lemons and grapefruit. Clementines are a mandarin cross with sweet oranges, for example.
Mangshanyegan:
This is a type of citrus fruit is native to China and is classified as a non-mandarin. Despite the similarities, mangshanyegans are indeed completely separate species of citrus.
Clementine:
These are no doubt bred from Mediterranean mandarin strains. They are the smallest mandarin variety and are very sweet as well as seedless. Most clementines are imported from Europe.
Tangerine:
Tangerines and mandarins names are often interchangeably used, but while all tangerines are mandarins, not all mandarins are tangerines. Tangerines do have a tougher skin and taste more akin to a regular orange, with less sweetness and more of a citric bite.
Satsuma:
Satsuma is a type of fruit, originating in Japan, which is a mandarin-pomelo hybrid. Satsumas may be a bit larger than a pure mandarin but tend to retain same loose skin. They are grown in Asia and the Southern United States.
Mandarin Orange Nutrition
One medium mandarin orange does contain 47 calories, with 9 grams of sugar and 12 grams of carbs. It also has nearly 40% of the recommended daily dosage of vitamin C and 11% of the daily recommended facts about vitamin A.
Benefits of Mandarin Oranges
Mandarin oranges are indeed an excellent source of vitamin C, which does help promote collagen production in one’s body. They also do contain synephrine, which is a bronchial dilator and is also a rich source of fiber. The presence of flavonoids, as well as other antioxidants, also does contribute to its amazing benefits.
• Boosts immunity
• Fights off free radicals
• Prevents cell damage
• Improves skin health
• Strengthens hair
• Fights allergies
• Gives relief from cold
• Suppresses appetite
• Aids in weight loss
• Supports digestive health
• Regulates cholesterol levels
• Lowers blood pressure
• Regulates insulin and prevents diabetes
• Anticancer potential