Clementines

The difference between clementines, mandarins, tangerines and satsumas is enough to stump anyone so we thought we’d get to the bottom of it ourselves, once and for all.  

For starters, it turns out mandarin is the overall category of orange that clementines, tangerines and satsumas are part of. All mandarins are generally smaller and flatter than what we think of as regular oranges (which are actually a hybrid of mandarins and pomelos- the ones that look like giant grapefruit).

Tangerines are a group of several mandarin varieties: they are very bright with tight skins and, as their name suggests, are tangy and rich tasting. They get their name from the north African port of Tangiers. 

Satsumas are another mandarin/pomelo hybrid, originating in Japan. They are light in colour and flavour and very easy to peel. 

Clementines are the smallest and often sweetest type of mandarin. They are a hybrid with the ‘regular’ orange which, yes, we found is a hybrid itself- phew this stuff gets confusing!

We can’t guarantee exactly which type of citrus you’ll receive each week, so we stick to calling them clementines on the menu but they’re always juicy and handy for lunch on the run, let us know if you become an expert at identifying them! 

If you end up with quite a heap in your fruit bowl try juicing them for cocktails or cakes or adding them to a salad with bitter leaves, something creamy and a scattering of toasted nuts.