The Mandarin orange, also known as the mandarin or mandarine (both lower-case), is a small citrus tree (Citrus reticulata) with fruit resembling other oranges. Mandarin oranges are usually eaten plain or in fruit salads. Specifically reddish-orange mandarin cultivars can be marketed as tangerines, but this is not a botanical classification.
The tree is more drought-tolerant than the fruit. The mandarin is tender, and is damaged easily by cold. It can be grown in tropical and subtropical areas.
Varieties
The mandarin orange is a variety of the orange family. The mandarin has many names, some of which actually refer to crosses between the mandarin and another citrus fruit.
- Satsuma, a seedless variety, of which there are over 200 cultivars, such as Owari and mikan; the source of most canned mandarins, and popular as a fresh fruit due to its ease of consumption
- Owari, a well-known Satsuma cultivar which ripens during the late fall season
- Clementine, sometimes known as a “Christmas orange”, as its peak season is December; becoming the most important commercial Mandarin orange form, have displaced mikans in many markets
- Tangering, sometimes known as “Dancy Mandarin”
- Tangor, also called the temple orange, a cross between the Mandarin orange and the common sweet orange; its thick rind is easy to peel and its bright orange pulp is sour-sweet and full-flavored
The mandarin is easily peeled with the fingers, starting at the thick rind covering the depression at the top of the fruit, and can be easily split into even segments without squirting juice. This makes it convenient to eat, as utensils are not required to peel or cut the fruit.
Canned mandarin segments are peeled to remove the white pith prior to canning; otherwise, they turn bitter. Segments are peeled using a chemical process. First, the segments are scalded in hot water to loosen the skin; then they are bathed in a lye solution which digests the albedo and membranes. Finally, the segments undergo several rinses in plain water.
During Chinese New Year, Mandarin oranges and tangerines are considered traditional symbols of abundance and good fortune. During the two-week celebration, they are frequently displayed as decoration and presented as gifts to friends, relatives, and business associates.
The Story of Mandarin Orange
Many Americans do not believe that China has pristine natural regions, but they would be incorrect. While the poor air quality in several of it’s major cities is cause for serious concern, China also boasts some of the most breathtaking natural geography in the world. Considering China’s vast land mass, and the huge impact it’s economic growth has on the rest of the world, fostering understanding, respect, preservation and sustainability of these natural areas are important keys to caring for the future of our planet.
The Islands
The organic mandarin islands are located in the Thousand Island Lake, around 100 miles west of Hangzhou, the capital of the southern province Zhejiang. The lake is one of the 44 state national scenic spots and is presently China’s biggest national park. The lake covers over 143,000 acres, an area more than 220 square miles that encompasses 1078 islands. Most of these islands are owned by individual families who live on and care for them. The islands are also home to more than 1700 species of native plants. The surrounding waters, highly valued as a reservoir for some of the nation’s highest quality drinking water, boast 87 species of fresh water fish. The biodiversity in the area is enormous; some of the islands are wild and mountainous, some of them are occupied with tea, mulberry, timber, and bamboo, and five of them are homes to certified organic orchards of grapefruit and mandarin oranges.
It may be helpful to understand how small family farmers have created these unmatched organic orchards. Around ten years ago, one of these families noticed several stands of volunteer mandarin trees growing in the wild. The trees grew quite easily without any problems, so the family decided to plant more trees and to cultivate them. Families on neighboring islands saw how the mandarin trees thrived, and they followed suit. Several of the families learned about the sustainable benefits and premium value of organic agriculture, and began the process to achieve international organic certification of their orchards. As a result, we now enjoy the bounties of five organic island orchards, which have been totally organic since 2004.
The isolated area of the organic islands and their wonderful biodiversity create good conditions for organic farming. Mountainous island topography and long distances between the islands pose significant natural barriers to the possibility of wind drift contamination. The absence of industry or even roads contribute to the pristine nature of the area. Diverse island flora restrains the incidence of pests and diseases. Many grasses and bamboo make it more difficult for disease spores and pests to jump from tree to tree. Meanwhile, the wide variety of island plants creates a habitat for the pests’ natural enemies to thrive.
Any rotten or infected fruits that do occur are quickly removed and destroyed by the farmers, who also prune the trees faithfully to open the canopy. This increases sunlight and airflow to dry the leaves, which further reduces the incidence of disease. Farmers are proud that their organic orchards are flourishing under their care, contributing to both the sustainability and prosperity of the region. Most years, the mandarins are plump, ripe and ready to pick between October and December. That’s when the farmers harvest their tree-ripened fruits and guide their small boats, loaded with organic mandarins, to the distant mainland shore. From here the mandarins will be transported to our certified organic canning facility, approximately 55 miles away.
Mandarin oranges from China 10% cheaper
With Lunar New Year fast approaching, stallholders are counting on brisk business for Mandarin oranges. This year, Mandarin oranges that are freshly harvested from some parts of China that enjoyed favourable weather are expected to be sweeter.
And those from Fujian province will be cheaper by about 10 per cent, due to good harvest. However, the yields from some parts of China which had been hit by the rainy season are expected to cost 10 per cent more.
