Very popular with children, these citrus fruits look alike but are not the same! The benefits of clementine and mandarin rest primarily on their nutritional richness, starting with vitamin C, so precious when the cold sets in. Rediscovery…
The Clementine and the mandarin are recognized as good sources of vitamin C (18.70 mg per 100 g). Low in calories, both provide, per 100 g, the equivalent of 60% of the nutritional values recommended in vitamin C, or 49 mg per 100 g.
Rich in water (over 85%), mandarin and clementine are hydrating and thirst-quenching. In addition, these antioxidant citrus fruits and anti-inflammatory allow the repair of cellular damage and therefore the prevention of aging cells and skin. But in fact, how to recognize them?
Clementine: Identity card
- Vernacular name: clementine
- Scientific name: Citrus clementina
- Family: rutaceae
- Season: October to February
- Producing countries: Algeria, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Italy, Corsica
- Varieties: satsuma, tangerine, tangelo, tangor, clémenvilla
How to distinguish mandarin from clementine?
Mandarin and clementine are two fruits often confused because of their appearance and taste. In reality, clementine is a hybrid mandarin. It results from the fertilization between the mandarin blossom (therefore the mandarin) and the pollen of sweet orange.
Mandarin and clementine are therefore cousins but from two different plants. To taste, the clementine is less sweet and more tangy than tangerine. It is also more appreciated because its fine flesh is very easily detached from its skin.
Clementine has few or no seeds, in any case much less than mandarin. It’s this almost no glitches which allowed it to supplant the mandarin in the hearts of consumers. Clementine is often of a orange less lively and is less fragrant. Last element of differentiation: the mandarin is bigger than its congener.
Where do these precious fruits come from?
Mandarin is a citrus fruit which owes its name to its color which recalls that of the silk dress of the mandarins (China). It would be particularly cultivated, for centuries in Vietnam, in Japan and especially in China.
His daughter, the clementine is a small fruit discovered at the beginning of the 20th century in an Algerian orchard run by a religious, the Father Clement which lent it its name. These two fruits are found most of the year, but they are particularly tasty in winter, from November to March.
These two fruits are remineralizing because of their contribution in minerals in particular: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and copper. They are both very rich in Vitamins C, A and B, nutrients involved in the synthesis of collagen, the production of hormones, immune defenses and elimination of toxins.
Moderately energetic, mandrine and clementine also contain an interesting amount of soluble fiber and antioxidant substances known against certain cancers and vascular disease.
Mandarin and clementine same fight!
- Mandarin is low in calories, refreshing and is recommended to satisfy small appetites.
- The skin of these fruits contains pectin, a soluble fiber that helps reduce the cholesterol blood and limit cardiovascular disease.
- Mandarin has a alkaline pH which limits the acidification of the body and prevents oxidation.
- Mandarin and clementine contain vitamin C and flavonoids; from antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals in the body.
- Clementine strengthens bone, reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fights cramps and osteoarthritis …
- They promote the intestinal transit and control the weight.
- These foods help to limit the deterioration of visual functions and improve the dental health.
- They fight against the scurvy, a disease caused by a deleterious vitamin C deficiency.
- Mandarin promotes the resistance of blood capillaries and fights against cellular aging.
- The infusion of mandarin leaves helps to sleep well at night and relieves menstrual pain.
How to choose and store these citrus fruits?
To choose these fruits, they must be firm, heavy and without spots. In addition, the color of the bark is not a guarantee of maturity. Sometimes they are dark green on the outside, but perfectly blackberries and sweet inside.
Clementines and mandarins can be stored for a few days at room temperature and up to 2 weeks in the vegetable drawer of the fridge. Its quarters can also be frozen individually or stored in syrup.
The most common way to consume them is of course as a simple snack, dessert or lunch. They can also be used to make juice, mixed or not with other citrus fruits.
They are very popular in sorbets, smoothies, in fresh fruit salads, jellies, compotes and jams. In addition, the pulp and the zest are used for perfume pleasantly the butter spread on these roasted fruits.
Their juice is, for its part, used in base acid in marinades and dressings. They go perfectly with seafood (prawns, prawns) and meats. Mandarin and clementine are used to decorate the creams burnt, pancake batter, muffins, cakes, cookies, etc.
Clementine trifles
Ingredients :
- 25 cl of mascarpone cream
- 3 tablespoons of maple sugar
- 6 crumbled cookies
- 4 to 6 peeled clementines
- Maple sugar grains
Preperation :
- In a bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the whipped cream.
- Add the maple sugar, mixing gently.
- Divide the crumbled cookies, half of the maple whipped cream, the clementine segments cut in half and finish with the rest of the whipped cream.
- Refrigerate 1 hour minimum.
- When ready to serve, for a more gourmet effect, sprinkle the trifles with maple sugar.
Mandarin and clementine are fruits protectors of our health. They are consumed at any time, without moderation. Sweet, juicy, very fragrant, they are loved by all.
So, tangerine or clementine, which do you prefer? Tell us in the comments.
