Difference Between Tangerine and Mandarin Orange

July 2023 · 5 minute read

Tangerine and Mandarin Oranges are citrus fruits belonging to the family of Rutaceae. They are often confused with being simply an orange fruit by many. They both have a similar orange color and look a lot like each other. Hence, they are also confused with each other at times. Though both the fruits are citrus fruits and have some similar features, they differ from each other in a lot of aspects. 

Tangerine vs Mandarin Orange

The main difference between Tangerine and Mandarin oranges is that- Mandarin is a type of citrus fruit, whereas Tangerines are a type of Mandarin. This implies the fact that all Tangerines are a type of Mandarin, whereas not all Mandarin oranges are Tangerines.  

Tangerine is a sub-category of Mandarins, and they belong to the family of Rutaceae. This implies the fact that all Tangerines are a type of Mandarin, but not all Mandarin oranges are Tangerines. Tangerines are reddish-orange or dark orange. They also have thick skin, making them an ideal exportation fruit. They are more tart in taste than Mandarins. 

Mandarin oranges are citrus fruits belonging to the family of Rutaceae. Mandarins are further divided into three main sub-groups- Satsumas, Tangerines, and Miscellaneous Hybrids. Mandarins have a lighter shade of orange color and are smaller in size. They are also sweeter and are easy to peel off as their skin is smoother and thinner than Tangerines.   

Comparison Table Between Tangerine and Mandarin Orange

Parameters of Comparison  Tangerine  Mandarin Orange
Type Tangerines are citrus fruits belonging to the sub-group of Mandarins Mandarins are citrus fruits that are further divided into 3 main sub-groups, namely, Satsumas, Tangerines, and Miscellaneous Hybrid
 Colour   Tangerines have a darker or reddish shade of orange color.   Mandarins have a lighter and brighter shade of orange color. 
 Skin  Tangerines have thick skin, which makes them an ideal export fruit.   Mandarins have smooth and thin skin making it easy to peel the skin off. 
 Classification  All Tangerines are a type of Mandarins.   Not all Mandarins are Tangerines.  
 Shape  Tangerines are round in shape and have a more spherical shape than Mandarins.   Mandarins are oblate in shape and have a less spherical shape than Tangerines. 
 Temperature   Tangerines grow better in low and dry conditions.     Mandarins are delicate to low temperatures and dry conditions. 
 Taste   Tangerines are less sweet and more tart in taste than Mandarins.   Mandarins are sweeter and less tart in taste than Tangerines. 

What is Tangerine? 

Tangerine is a citrus fruit belonging to the citrus family of Rutaceae. They are a sub-group of Mandarins which includes three main types, namely, Satsumas, Tangerines, and Miscellaneous Hybrids. This implies that all Tangerines are a type of Mandarin, but all Mandarins are not Tangerines.   

Tangerines get their name from a city in Morocco, known as Tangiers. These were exported to Europe from Tangiers. Tangerines are round and spherical and are reddish-orange or dark orange. They have thick skins, making it harder to peel the skin off. However, because of their thick skin, the fruit becomes an ideal exportation fruit.   

Tangerines survive and grow well in low temperatures and dry conditions. Tangerines have a tart taste and are less sweet than Mandarins. They are mostly used while preparing chicken dishes.   

What is Mandarin Orange? 

Mandarin orange is a citrus fruit belonging to the citrus family of Rutaceae. Mandarins are further divided into three main sub-groups, namely, Satsumas, Tangerines, and Miscellaneous Hybrids. Thus, all Tangerines are a type of Mandarin. However, not all Mandarins are Tangerines.  

Mandarin orange received its name from the Chinese officials who were called Mandarin because of the signature orange clothing they used to wear. Mandarins have a lighter and brighter shade of orange color. They are oblate and less spherical than that of Tangerines. Mandarins have smooth and thin skin, making it easier to peel their skin off.  

Mandarins are delicate to low temperatures and dry conditions, and hence, cannot survive well in such conditions. Mandarins are sweeter and less tart in taste than Tangerines. They are mostly used in salads, cakes, and ice creams.  

Main Differences Between Tangerine and Mandarin Orange  

  • Mandarins are a type of citrus fruit further divided into three main sub-groups, namely, Satsumas, Tangerines, and Miscellaneous Hybrids, whereas Tangerines are a sub-group of Mandarins.  
  • All Tangerines in the world are a type of Mandarin, whereas not all Mandarins are Tangerines.  
  • Tangerines have thick skin, which makes it harder to peel the skin off, whereas Mandarins have smooth and thin skin making it easier for the skin to be peeled off.  
  • Tangerines have a darker orange color, whereas Mandarins have a lighter and brighter shade of orange color.   
  • Tangerines grow and survive better in low temperatures and dry conditions, whereas Mandarin oranges are delicate to dry conditions and low temperatures. They cannot survive in such conditions.  
  • Tangerines are tarter and less sweet, whereas Mandarins are less tarty and sweet.  
  • Tangerines have around and spherical shapes, whereas Mandarins are oblate and less spherical. 
  • Conclusion 

    Tangerine and Mandarin oranges are both citrus fruits and belong to the same citrus family of Rutaceae. They also have a similar appearance and are often confused with each other. Though both the fruits are citrus fruits and have some similar features, they differ from each other in a lot of aspects.  

    Mandarins are bright orange-colored citrus fruits that belong to the family of Rutaceae. Mandarins are further divided into three sub-groups- Satsumas, Tangerines, and Miscellaneous Hybrids. These oranges are small in size and have an oblate, less spherical shape. They have smooth skin, which makes the skin easy to be peeled off. Mandarin oranges are sweet and are less tarty than Tangerines.   

    Tangerines are dark reddish-orange-colored citrus fruits belonging to the family of Rutaceae. Tangerines are a sub-group of the citrus fruit Mandarins. Tangerines have thick skin, making them an ideal exportation fruit. They are tartier and less sweet than Mandarins.   

    The main point of difference between the Mandarin orange and Tangerines are Mandarins are divided into three sub-groups- Satsumas, Tangerines, and Miscellaneous Hybrids. This means that Tangerines are a sub-group of Mandarins, and hence, all Tangerines are a type of Mandarin, but not all Mandarins are tangerines. 

    References

  • https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/agr.20275 
  • https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.4663 
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