Tangerines
If you like eating healthy but also have a sweet tooth, tangerines are definitely the snack for you. Tangerines are one of the sweetest of the citrus fruit but still pack a large dose of essential nutrients. Find out what else tangerines have to offer below.
Tangerines…
- ...might help burn fat.In a Canadian study, scientists found that a plant substance present in tangerines called nobiletin can stimulate fat burning. So far this effect has only been proven in animal experiments, however research is ongoing into its effect on the human body.
- ...can help you lose weight.Tangerines are incredibly sweet, thanks to their high dose of fructose. This makes them a healthy snack or dessert for dieters with a sweet tooth.
- ...support good vision.Vitamin A and red plant dyes in tangerines can help improve vision, especially in the dark. Vitamin A also promotes the growth of healthy cells in the skin and mucous membranes.
- ...strengthen your immune system.100 grams of tangerines can contain up to 45 milligrams of immune-boosting vitamin C. This antioxidant has a range of other health benefits as well, including helping protect cells against harmful substances such as free radicals.
- ...have a range of health benefits.Tangerines’ high content of carotenoids (provitamin A) and flavonoids (plant dyes) makes them particularly healthy, as these antioxidants can protect us from cell damage, cardiovascular diseases and are even said to reduce the risk of cancer.
- ...should not be combined with pain killers.Like many other citrus fruits, tangerines contain substances that can cause problems in the body such as cardiac arrhythmia when consumed with pain killers. If you’ve taken even over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen, make sure to wait two hours before consuming tangerines.
- should not be eaten often if you have heart issues.People taking beta blockers should eat mandarins only in moderation, as the drug increases the potassium level in the blood. Since mandarins also contain a relatively large amount of potassium, the level of the mineral could rise too high in some cases.
What You Should Know About Tangerines
There are probably two principal reasons why tangerines have become such a popular and widely-consumed fruit. First, of course, is its tate. Of all the citrus fruits, mandarins contain the least acid and therefore have a sweeter, less tart taste than other fruits in their family. And like other citrus fruits, tangerine skin sits very loosely on top of the flesh, allowing it to be peeled off the fruit incredibly easy without the aid of cutlery. This makes tangerines a perfect and easily transportable snack.
Botanically, tangerines are closely related to oranges and have many similarities in tate and color. Like oranges, tangerines grow on evergreen trees. However they are much smaller than oranges, with a flatter top than the oranges’, and skin that is generally easier to peel.
Origins
Although their original home is in China, India and the Philippines, tangerines have been cultivated throughout the world for hundreds of years. Tangerines require a moderately warm climate to grow, and are harvested today in European countries like Germany, Span and Italy, as well as in the Middle East.
Seasonality
The harvest time for tangerines varies according to country. As a result, you can buy imported tangerines in the store almost all year round.
Flavor
Tangerines have a similar taste to oranges, albeit a bit more tart, and have a softer texture.
Varieties
Even experts can get confused when charting all the different kinds of tangerines. There are almost countless hybrids of the fruit growing around the world. Most tangerine varieties and hybrids, however, are not readily available in the store.
Find all our tangerine recipes here.
How Healthy Are Tangerines?
While tangerines contain some of the lowest levels of vitamin c of all the citrus fruits, they still contain a healthful amount of the vitamin-- 100 grams of tangerines packs 32 milligrams of vitamin c, a good third of the daily target. Because of their delicious sweet-tart taste and how easy they are to peel, most people will consume more tangerines than grapefruit or lemons per serving, so you can easily reach your vitamin c target just by eating the fruit.
Tangerines have a range of other healthful nutrients to offer as well, including provitamin A. This vitamin plays an important role in cell protection, skin and vision. And while it’s true that tangerines have a relatively high fruit sugar content, they contain almost no fat, making them a great dessert or sweet snack for dieters.
| Tangerine Nutritional Info | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 46 |
| Protein | 0.6 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
Shopping and Cooking Tips
Shopping
Buying mandarins is a matter of luck, as you can’t tell the quality of flavor from the outside. A perfect-looking tangerine can yield tasteless fruit, while a beat-up exterior might hide a delicious, perfectly ripe flavor. Tangerine shopping is really a gamble, albeit one that can yield big rewards. Be sure to purchase a few tangerines at a time, as chances are you might get a bad one or two.
Storage
Tangerines quickly lose their juiciness and flavor at room temperature, so ensure you’re storing them in a cool but frost-free place. Tangerines should be consumed within a few days of purchasing.
What To Make With Tangerines
Freshly squeezed tangerine juice tastes delicious and is a great alternative for those who find other citrus juices too sour. You can also add tangerine juice to other beverages to intensify flavor, such as a spicy carrot cocktail or a a vitamin-packed tangerine-apricot smoothie.
Tangerines are most commonly eaten raw by themselves, however they make a great ingredient in various sweet recipes and even salads.
