Oranges and tangerines are citrus fruits that are the primary source of vitamin C and have many health benefits. People tend to be confused between both.
This is because they are very similar in size and color. They differ in the nutritional content that each of the fruits holds. Despite all the differences, they belong to the same category of fruits.
Oranges vs Tangerines
The main difference between oranges and tangerines is that oranges are much larger and have a higher level of tarty flavor and sourness. On the other hand, tangerines are smaller in size and the taste is often sweet, but sourness could be expected from tangerines when they are sold during the off-season.
Oranges are large and circular with a classic orange peel. The color of the peel might differ depending on the quality of production and also the season during which it is in the markets. But it would always be a different shade of orange, lighter or darker. Oranges are firm when ripe but would be soft when they become overripe and close to decay.
Tangerines are a small variety of citrus fruit that fall into the same family as oranges. The peel is usually a darker shade of orange with many ditches and crevices. Tangerines are a bit soft to touch once the fruit completely ripens, and there are exceptions where there might be tinges of green on the peel even after being ripe.
Comparison Table Between Oranges and Tangerines
| Parameters of Comparison | Oranges | Tangerines |
| Origin Of Word | Tamil | Morocco |
| Sweetness | Low | More |
| Easy To Peel | No | Yes |
| Many Varieties | Yes | Comparatively less |
| Color | Orange or dark shades of yellow | Deep reddish orange |
What is Oranges?
Oranges belong to the genus of citrus fruits and have the scientific name Citrus X sinensis.
It has a round and circular shape with a firm fruit body.
It is known to have originated from East Asia, more specifically from areas around China and Indonesia.
These places had the optimum weather conditions for the orange trees to grow and give great produce every year.
Now, with the advancement of technology and science, oranges are grown in places like the US and Brazil.
Some believe that mandarins evolved from oranges.
But it is the other way around. This means that oranges evolved from mandarins.
The size of an orange is never uniform as there are many varieties of oranges and the size and color may differ according to the pigments present and the sugar content of each fruit.
Every single orange weighs more than what is expected after it is ripe. It is because the juice and pulp increase after ripening.
But despite the high juice content in oranges, they are still quite firm and hard on the outside.
Oranges could either be seedless or have seeds. It depends on the variety of orange.
Because they are seedless, Navel oranges are known for their ease of consumption.
On the other hand, Valencia oranges are the more common ones we see and have seeds.
Most of the nutritional content in oranges is in water, and it is the main constituent in oranges.
There are carbohydrates, fibers, and potassium in high quantities. The fat content is almost nil.
One main health benefit of oranges is that having oranges can help reduce any possible DNA mutation or damage.
These kinds of mutations can happen during the lifetime of a person.
It is easier to carry around a tangerine in a pocket and have it as a pocket snack.
Tangerines are primarily filled with seeds. But with the help of genetic engineering, new and seedless tangerine varieties are now available on the market.
The color of tangerines is usually reddish-orange or slightly yellow, depending on the quality and the ripeness of the fruit.
Tangerines are sweet and not as sour as most other mandarin varieties.
Even though the peel of tangerines is thin, it is really easy to peel off and, due to this, the peel of tangerines is also called zipper-skin.
The health benefits of both are almost the same, and they are a primary source of vitamin C and a great way to lose weight if consumed daily.
Oranges and tangerines have similar nutritional values, with water being the most important component in both.
Many people who are naturally allergic to these two citrus fruits have to take vitamin C supplements to make sure they get enough vitamins to sustain their lives.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168952501024428
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157505001432