Tangerine

The tangerine is a citrus fruit that has been in cultivation in South­eastern Asia for probably more than 4,000 years. The name "tangerine" is supposed to be derived from Tangier, Morocco, and includes all the red-skinned mandarin oranges. They are all loose­skinned, peeling as easily as a glove off your hand-thus the name "kid-glove" oranges was started in Florida in 1870 by Colonel George L.Dancy.

Sir Abraham Hume introduced the mandarin orange into England in 1805, and by 1850 it was well known in Italy. Between the years of 1840 and 1850, the Italian Consul brought the mandarin orange to Louisiana, planting it in the consulate grounds at New Orleans. From there the orange was taken to Florida, and in 1871, Colonel Dancy of Buena Vista, Florida began cultivation of the Dancy tangerine, the only tangerine now extensively growing there. The Clementine, which originated in the gardens of the orphanage of Misserghin, in Algeria, and was named in honor of Brother Clement, is also gaining in popularity in the United States, as is the Ponken, a famous Oriental fruit.

The season for marketing the tangerine is from November through May, and the peak months are December and January. A considerable amount of this fruit is on the market in November, February, and March.

Quality tangerines should be heavy for their size, which indicates apple juice content. They should have the characteristic deep orange or almost red color.

Mature fruit usually feels puffy because of the looseness of the skin.

Benefits of Tangerine

Nutrients in one pound