Stores are full of tangerines but how can you tell the good ones from the bad ones?

Autumn is in full swing, winter is slowly approaching and stores are getting the first shipments of tangerines. We do not get many of them in the summer so, many of you are probably looking forward to that sweet taste of tangerines. Great, but as with any fruit, you need to be careful and know how to choose the best ones. What should you pay attention to when buying citrus fruits in general? How can you tell the difference between tangerines and clementines (Citrus clementina) for example? We shall answer these questions in the following lines.

Basic rules to follow when purchasing citrus fruits

First, you should “sift” through the fruits well in order to determine any rotten or mouldy fruit. If you find fruit like that you should be extra cautious because toxins from rotten fruitoften get into the surrounding fruit. The best way is to buy individual pieces of fruit because the risk is higher if you buy the entire box. Do not shop in outdoor markets in winter, especially if the temperatures are very low. Low temperatures can easily damage tangerines, and you may not be able to see the damage in advance. Watch out for fruits with soft skin. This is mainly true for lemons and grapefruits. If you find soft tangerines you need to consume them as soon as possible. If you can, track the country of origin too. Most often they are imported from Morocco, China or Abkhazia.

Photo: Freepik

Tangerine or clementine?

Well, not an easy question. The differences between these fruits are hardly noticeable. Tangerines are somewhat flattened on both sides. Their taste is mild and they are relatively easy to peel. Clementines are smaller and usually have a very smooth skin. They are also darker in colour and do not have any seeds. They can be grown even in mild climates. Tangerines are typically light orange and round in shape and are pretty large. They are harder to peel as they have harder skin.

Photo: Unsplash

Wash your hands after peeling tangerines

Washing your hands after peeling should become a habit. Substances remaining on the peel may not be good for your health.

Photo: Freepik

Source: https://www.novinky.cz/zena/styl/clanek/jak-nenaletet-pri-nakupu-citrusu-40146199
https://itesco.cz/hello/clanek/rozeznate-mandarinku-od-klementinky-obe-vam-zlepsi-den/23192/

Preview photo: Freepik