It is not difficult to distinguish an orange from a tangerine, there are several properties that clearly define a specific type of citrus. Obviously, doubts creep in when you have hybrids in front of you. Today they are widely represented on fruit counters, while they are often sold under the general name "Mandarin". In fact, it can be clementines - mandarin-orange hybrids, natsumikans and tangelo - mandarin-grapefruit hybrids, tangoras - mandarin-orange hybrids, etc. But if you need to determine what is in front of you - an orange or a real tangerine, then you should know the specific differences.
Instructions
Step 1
The size. Orange is always larger than mandarin. True, recently you can see quite large tangerines, as a rule, these are citrus fruits grown in Turkey and Abkhazia. In diameter, they can reach 7.5 cm, while ordinary tangerines have a diameter of 4 to 6 cm. However, a large tangerine can be distinguished from an orange by its slightly flattened shape.
Step 2
The form. The orange is always round (or slightly elongated at the top), the tangerine, in contrast, is flattened from top to bottom. That is, the width of the mandarin is always greater than the height.
Step 3
Color. Orange is orange, real tangerine is bright yellow. But most of the hybrids have an intense orange color.
Step 4
Peel. In an orange, it is thicker and denser than that of a tangerine. Peeling an orange is much more difficult than a tangerine, because the peel is tightly attached to the pulp. In mandarin, it is thin, easily lagging behind the pulp (if it separates poorly, it means that the mandarin was torn unripe). Sometimes there is even an air gap between the peel and the tangerine slices, such a fruit can be peeled in one step.
Step 5
If you bite into the peel of an orange, you will feel bitterness and a burning sensation on your lips and mouth. The tangerine peel does not cause such sensations, except a little.
Step 6
Aroma. The tangerine has a more pronounced aroma than the orange. It is no coincidence that almost all people, both children and adults, associate it with the New Year (i.e., the aroma is memorable). Orange, alas, does not evoke such associations, although its aroma is fresh and pleasant.
Step 7
Pulp. Slices of an orange are much more difficult to separate than those of a tangerine. In the latter, they sometimes separate from each other even in the process of peeling from the peel.
Step 8
Taste. Mandarin always tastes sweeter than orange. Orange slices contain significantly more acid.
Step 9
Bones. There are always seeds in the pulp of an orange, there are no seeds in real tangerines.
