Ah, autumn. The time when the euphoria of summer fades, the leaves crunch underfoot, and the store shelves are taken over by golden balls of citrus happiness – tangerines.
Mandarin season is not just a period of vitamin C, but rather a mini-festival for all lovers of sweet and juicy pleasures. But let's face it – not every tangerine is the right one. So how do you recognize which tangerine will explode in your mouth with juice and sweetness... and which will be more reminiscent of a bitter citrus of disappointment?
When is mandarin season?
The real mandarin season in Europe lasts from October to Januarywhen the markets and store shelves are dominated by varieties from Spain, Italy, Croatia and of course – home gardens along the AdriaticDuring this time, tangerines are most naturally ripe, which means more sugar, more flavor, and less of a sour aftertaste after the first bite.
How to identify sweet and juicy tangerines? Here's your citrus guide:
1. The color should be deep orange.
Although we are taught not to judge a book by its cover, when it comes to tangerines, we can trust the color without a guilty conscience. Ripe, sweet tangerines have intense orange color without green spots. Greens around the stalk? Maybe they're not quite ready for your juicer yet.
2. Weight means juice!
Take a tangerine in your hand and weigh it as if it were gold – because if it is heavy for its size, it means it is loaded with juice. Light tangerines? Let them stay on the shelf. Nobody wants citrus drought.
3. The skin says it all
Not too thick, not too thin – the skin should be slightly loose, but still tightly hugging the fruit. If the skin comes off easily and doesn't crumble under your fingers, you probably have a candidate for a sweet explosion on your hands. Too loose skin, however, could mean the fruit is drying out or has outlived its prime.
4. Listen to the mandarins (not literally, of course)
Squeeze the tangerine lightly. If you feel the flesh is firm but elastic with light pressure, you're on the right track. However, if you feel a "spongy" resistance under your fingers, it's time to say goodbye to the tangerine.
5. It smells like sunshine and childhood.
The best tangerines will have a fresh, sweet citrus scent from afar. If it has no scent – or worse – smells like nothing at all, then chances are it will taste like one big citrus melon.
Bonus: The best varieties of tangerines
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- Clementine – small, sweet and almost always seedless. Every snacker's dream.
- Nadorcott – slightly larger, very aromatic and extremely juicy. Often found in premium drawers.
- Unshiu (Japanese variety) – slightly more acidic, but pleasantly refreshing, often available in larger retail chains.
Why choosing the right tangerines is not just a whim?
Besides the obvious – that you like what you eat – good tangerines are also real vitamin boosterOne medium-sized tangerine contains more than 30 % daily recommended amounts of vitamin C, plus fiber, antioxidants, and the perfect excuse for that "one more piece" after lunch.
What to look out for when buying?
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- Packaging is not a guarantee of quality – also tangerines from the net they can be great, even if they look like they survived citrus paintball.
- Buy local if possible – seasonal, local tangerines have a shorter journey and usually taste better. And the farmers will thank you.
- Price is not always an indicator of quality – sometimes the tangerines on sale are the sweetest ones (because they are at the peak of the season!).
Don't be a sour lemon – choose a sweet tangerine!
The tangerine season is a short but wonderful citrus novel that we write with every bite. With a little care in your selection, you can avoid empty and sour chapters and enjoy what has made tangerines a VIP place on the autumn-winter fruit menu for decades.
