Clementine, Mandarin, or Tangerine? How to Tell These Citrus Fruits Apart

Clementine, mandarin, and tangerine may look alike, but each offers a unique citrus experience.

Mandarin, Mandarin Orange, Citrus Fruit, Clementine, Tangerine, Citrus reticulata

Orange, Oranges, Citrus, Citrus Fruit, Healthy Fruit, Fruits, citrus x sinensis

Mandarin vs. Clementine vs. Tangerine: A Citrus Showdown

Mandarins, clementines, and tangerines are three beloved types of citrus fruits, often confused but each with distinct characteristics. All three belong to the Citrus reticulata group and are prized for their juicy, sweet flavor, ease of peeling, and portability. Whether you’re looking to grow a citrus tree, improve your diet, or simply enjoy a delicious snack, understanding the differences can help you choose the perfect fruit.

Origins and Classification

Mandarin: Native to Southeast Asia, Citrus reticulata is the original species from which both clementines and tangerines descend.
Clementine: A hybrid between a mandarin and a sweet orange, clementines (Citrus × clementina) originated in Algeria in the late 19th century.
Tangerine: Considered a subtype or hybrid of mandarin, tangerines (Citrus reticulata, sometimes classified as Citrus × tangerina) get their name from Tangier, Morocco.

The terms “mandarin,” “tangerine,” and “clementine” are sometimes used interchangeably in commerce, but botanically, mandarins are the original species, clementines are hybrids, and tangerines are a subgroup or hybrid of mandarins

Tree Comparison

Mandarin, clementine, and tangerine trees are all evergreen citrus trees belonging to the Rutaceae family. They feature glossy green foliage, fragrant white blossoms, and a moderate growth habit.

These trees typically live 15 to 30 years and can thrive much longer under optimal conditions. Their compact size makes them ideal for home orchards or container gardening.

Growth rates are moderate, with most trees adding 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) per year. Blooming begins in spring, and fruit matures from late fall through winter depending on variety.

Feature	Mandarin	Clementine	Tangerine
Tree Size	12–25 ft (3.5–7.5 m)	6–15 ft (1.8–4.5 m)	10–20 ft (3–6 m)
Bloom Season	Spring	Spring	Spring
Fruit Maturity	November–March	November–January	November–April
USDA Zones	9–11	9–11	9–11

Orange, Oranges, Citrus, Citrus Fruit, Healthy Fruit, Fruits, citrus x sinensis

Nutrition Comparison

While mandarins, clementines, and tangerines are all low-calorie, hydrating fruits packed with immune-boosting nutrients, they each offer a slightly different nutritional profile. Here’s a more comprehensive side-by-side comparison per 100g serving:

Nutrient (per 100g)	Mandarin	Clementine	Tangerine
Calories	53 kcal	35 kcal	47 kcal
Water Content	85.2 g	87 g	85.2 g
Carbohydrates	13.3 g	8.9 g	12 g
Sugars	10.6 g	8-9.2 g	9-10.5 g
Fiber	1.8 g	1 g	2 g
Protein	0.8 g	0.9 g	0.7 g
Fat	0.3 g	0.1 g	0.3 g
Vitamin C	27% DV	40% DV	26% DV
Vitamin A	14-30 µg	0-34 µg	30-34 µg
Potassium	166 mg	131 mg	166 mg

DV = Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Health Benefits Compared

Each of these citrus fruits contributes to wellness in unique ways. This table compares their health benefits by category, allowing an easy side-by-side evaluation:

Benefit	Mandarin	Clementine	Tangerine
Immune Support	High in vitamin C, helps activate white blood cells	Excellent vitamin C content, boosts immune defenses	Rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, supports immunity
Antioxidant Power	Contains antioxidants that combat oxidative stress	Loaded with vitamin C and folate for cell protection	Flavonoids and beta-cryptoxanthin reduce inflammation
Skin Health	Supports collagen formation and youthful skin	Promotes collagen synthesis and skin repair	Helps prevent sun damage and aging signs
Heart Health	May lower cholesterol and improve blood flow	Potassium helps regulate blood pressure	Flavonoids support vascular health
Digestive Health	High fiber supports regular digestion	Easy to digest, gentle on the stomach	Contains fiber that aids digestion
Brain Function	Antioxidants may protect against cognitive decline	Mild support through vitamin C and folate	Nobiletin supports memory and brain cell health
Vision Support	Provides modest vitamin A for eye health	Vitamin A supports clear vision	Beta-cryptoxanthin protects vision
Iron Absorption	Vitamin C enhances absorption of plant-based iron	High vitamin C helps utilize dietary iron	Supports non-heme iron uptake
Weight Management	Low calorie and high fiber for satiety	Very low in calories, ideal snack	Helps control appetite with water and fiber

Mandarin, Mandarin Orange, Citrus Fruit, Clementine, Tangerine, Citrus reticulata

Flavor, Usage, and Storage

Each citrus fruit offers its own distinctive flavor profile and culinary versatility. Here’s a deeper look at how mandarins, clementines, and tangerines differ in taste, usage, and storage needs:

Fruit	Flavor	Common Uses	Storage Tips
Mandarin	Delicately sweet with a hint of tang; less acidic than oranges	Ideal for snacking, juicing, sauces, stir-fries, and fruit salads	Keep at room temperature for 3–4 days; refrigerate to extend freshness up to 2 weeks
Clementine	Very sweet, low acidity, usually seedless, and easy to peel	Great for children’s lunchboxes, desserts, smoothies, or chocolate-dipped treats	Store in a cool, dry place for a few days or refrigerate peeled segments for up to 3 days
Tangerine	Sweet-tart with bold citrus aroma and deeper flavor notes	Perfect for zesting, juicing, marmalade, citrus dressings, and green salads	Consume within a few days at room temperature or refrigerate unpeeled for up to 10 days

Conclusion

Whether you prefer the bold sweetness of a tangerine, the delicate flavor of a clementine, or the classic appeal of a mandarin, each citrus brings something special to the table. All are easy to grow, flavorful, and loaded with health benefits. Pick your favorite—or enjoy them all!

Guide Information

Hardiness	9 - 11
Climate Zones	8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type	Fruits, Trees
Plant Family	Rutaceae
Genus	Citrus
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	6' - 25' (180cm - 7.6m)
Spread	6' - 15' (180cm - 4.6m)
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Attracts	Bees

Citrus reticulata (Mandarin Orange)

Citrus x clementina (Clementine)

Citrus reticulata (Tangerine)

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Citrus

My July, AlenKadr, Nitr, Sergey Didenko, NatalyaBond, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.