mandarin orange v. tangerine v. clementine v. satsuma

Mandarin oranges are oblate, loose-skinned, easily eaten sweet or tart citrus fruits that can range from egg to grapefruit size. Mandarins were brought to Europe from China in 1805, and their name derives from the bright orange color of the robes worn by Chinese officials at the time. There are many varieties of mandarin oranges, including tangerines, clementines, and satsumas.

Tangerines have a deep red-orange exterior, and are named after Tangier, Morocco, the port through which they first reached the West.

A clementine is a seedless hybrid of a tangerine and a bitter orange, cultivated in Spain and North Africa. Although they were named for Father Clément Rodier, an Algerian monk, clementines were probably developed in Asia.

The satsuma is a Japanese variety, with a very easily peeled skin. Most canned mandarin oranges are satsumas.

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