6 Types of Tangerines: An Overview (With Pictures)

Citrus fruits are summer favorites throughout much of the world, but not many people realize just how many are out there. There are tangerines, clementines, oranges, and so many more!

Each of these fruits has different types to choose from. For example, did you know that there are many varieties of tangerines? We highlighted seven different types here, along with a quick rundown comparing tangerines to both oranges and clementines.

So, if you need a tangerine fix or just want to learn more, keep reading, as we break down everything that you need to know.

The 6 Types of Tangerines

1. Golden Nugget Tangerine

At first, you might think that a golden nugget tangerine is past its prime. But don’t let the slightly bumpy rind of this tangerine variety put you off.

The golden nugget tangerine is both extremely juicy and sweet, making it a favorite for just about everyone who tries it. It’s a hybrid between the Wilking and Kincy tangerine varieties, neither of which you can find on store shelves.

2. Pixie Tangerine

The pixie tangerine looks a bit like a smaller-than-normal orange. It has a lighter color compared to most other tangerine varieties, but it still maintains the typical tangerine size. It’s also extremely easy to peel.

However, while it’s sweeter than an orange, it has a milder taste than other tangerine varieties. It’s still juicy and seedless, though, so it’s not hard to see why this is such a popular tangerine option.

3. Satsuma Tangerine

If you’re looking for a tangerine variety with an extremely bright red-orange flesh, it’s hard to find a better option than the Satsuma tangerine. It typically grows in either China or Japan and is a semi-seedless variety.

It’s also a sweet variety, though it’s a little tarter than most other tangerine options. This paired with its bright red-orange coloring makes it an extremely popular choice for desserts, but you need to pay special attention to the occasional seed when using it this way.

4. Murcott Tangerine

Murcott tangerine is a great-tasting option, though typically harder to peel than most other tangerine options. It’s also known as the honey tangerine, mainly due to its extremely sweet flavor.

There are both seeded and seedless varieties, but compared to many other tangerine options, the Murcott tangerine’s flesh is a little paler. It’s still orange, but it’s not quite as bright as options like the Satsuma tangerine.

5. Yosemite Gold Tangerine

Compared to other tangerine varieties, the Yosemite gold tangerine is a relative monster in size. The largest Yosemite gold tangerines can reach 4 inches in diameter, which is almost twice the size of many other options.

But it’s still a tangerine and boasts a sweet flavor and is easy to peel. Also, since it’s large, you don’t need as many to make a fulfilling sweet treat for different occasions!

6. Tahoe Gold Tangerine

The Tahoe gold tangerine is a tangerine variety that you can find in both Florida and California. It has a slightly oblong shape where the stem clearly attaches, and the fruit itself is both sweet and tart, though many people report a slightly bitter flavor.

It does depend on when in the season you get a Tahoe gold tangerine, as it tends to get sweeter the further you go into the season.

Tangerines vs Oranges

While tangerines and oranges belong to the same family, there are a few differences between the two. First are the size and color. Oranges are larger than tangerines and typically have a paler color. Oranges also typically have a thicker peel and aren’t as easy to peel.

The most notable difference, though, is the taste. Tangerines are typically sweeter than oranges. When you pair this with the fact that tangerines are easier to peel, it’s easy to see why the smaller fruits are more popular with kids.

Tangerines vs Clementines

Few fruits are as similar to each other as the tangerine and the clementine, but they’re not identical. Most people tend to think that clementines are even easier to peel and a bit sweeter than tangerines, but this mostly comes down to the variety that you choose.

One easy way to tell tangerines and clementines apart is to look at the skin of each one. While tangerines typically have a few bumps throughout the skin, clementines are usually completely smooth.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about the most popular tangerine varieties out there, all that’s left is for you to find your favorite! That said, you’ll likely find that they’re all great in their own unique way!

Featured Image Credit: Suslik1983, Shutterstock