What Is the Difference Between Oranges & Mandarin Oranges?

Mandarin oranges are smaller than your average orange.

Mandarin oranges are delectable little citrus fruits available in the colder months of the year. They were originally grown in China, but have been cultivated and made available around the world. There are many varieties of oranges, each with their own special characteristics, but there are some major differences between Mandarin oranges and other types of oranges available.

Physical Characteristics

Mandarin oranges have a smaller size than the average orange, and the trees on which they grow are often smaller as well. The peel of the orange is looser, so they are easier to peel than other varieties. They are a bright orange or reddish orange color, though the more red varieties are often referred to as tangerines. Normal everyday varieties of oranges are larger, have a tighter peel and come in a variety of colors, from light orange-yellow to dark orange.

Taste

Mandarin oranges are sweeter than other varieties, and that sweetness is utilized in many culinary applications. The smallest ones are often canned in a sugary syrup and used in salads. Whole mandarins are easily peeled and sectioned to be used in desserts. Other varieties of oranges have flavors ranging from sweet to tart, but for the most part the small mandarin oranges are on the sweeter side of the spectrum.

Origin

Mandarin oranges originally came from Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Other varieties of oranges are thought to have originally come from China. None of the plants grow in the wild, but rather have to be cultivated in order to survive. Both mandarin and other varieties of oranges were brought from the East to Europe and the United States. Now the Mandarin orange is cultivated in many areas in the world as well.

Other Differences

Mandarin oranges can deal with cold weather better than many other types of orange trees. They are less likely to freeze and can handle drought better than some larger varieties, but the fruits themselves can be damaged during frost. Both plants are widely grown in the Southern states of the U.S., such as Florida, Texas, Alabama, California and Louisiana.

References

• Purdue University: Mandarin Orange
• Purdue University: Orange