Fruit symbol of the cold season, mandarin is a small fruit with excellent beneficial properties. Let’s find out together. The mandarins are the quintessential winter fruit, along with the pomegranate. Belonging to the sizable citrus family, they are characterized by their sweet taste, thin skin, light orange pulp, and are divided into small segments. Mandarin is one of the best-known and most citrus consumed in the world.
It is native to Southeast Asia and was initially cultivated in large quantities in China and Japan. Then from the beginning of the 19th century, it spread almost everywhere. They are fruits rich in vitamin C, which are very good for health. But that’s not all because they also have a strong symbolic connotation. Thanks to their round shape the orange-golden color, they are considered a bright fruit, a symbol of wealth and luck.
The Plant
The Mandarin is a small citrus size. Its name derives from China and is so named to honor the Mandarins. That is, the highest Chinese authorities are known for their wisdom. The scientific name is Citrus reticulata and is part of a distinct species of citrus fruit with thin, easy-to-peel peels. They can be the same size as sweet oranges or be much smaller depending on the variety.
Properties And Benefits Of Mandarins
Rich in vitamin C, mandarins help strengthen our immune system and protect us from the typical ailments of the winter period. The mandarin also contains vitamin A and B vitamins and many mineral salts such as magnesium, iron, and folic acid. It is a light and easily digestible fruit; it contains calcium, potassium, and fiber, which are helpful for the proper functioning of the intestine. In addition, this tiny fruit helps to regulate blood pressure, promotes diuresis because it is rich in water and can counteract water retention.
The consumption of tangerines helps improve visual functions, lower the level of cholesterol in the blood; in addition, they are rich in antioxidants and protect the body from oxidation and premature cell aging. From a nutritional point of view, these fruits are very light; per 100 grams, they provide only 53 Kcal.
Types And Varieties Of Mandarins
In nature, there are different types of mandarins. Here are the best known.
- Chinese mandarin: Asian variety, whose peculiarity is in the fragile and edible skin.
- Cleopatra mandarin: from India, with a delightful flavor and rich in seeds.
- Tangerine mandarin: originally from Morocco, it is characterized by dark orange skin. In size, it resembles oranges.
- King mandarin: they are very juicy and have fragile skin.
Properties Of Mandarin
The Plant
The Mandarin is a small citrus size. Its name derives from China and is so named to honor the Mandarins. That is, the highest Chinese authorities are known for their wisdom. The scientific name is Citrus reticulata and is part of a distinct species of citrus fruit with thin, easy-to-peel peels. They can be the same size as sweet oranges or be much smaller depending on the variety. There are up to 200 qualities (also considered hybrids) of mandarins worldwide, including mandarin oranges and clementines. Famous in the Philippines throughout Central and South America and commonly grown in Japan, southern China, and the East Indies.
Nutritional Values
Tangerines are essential fruits for your diet. Below you will find the nutritional values for 100 grams of the product.
- Water 81.4 grams
- Calories 76 kcal
- Protein 0.9 grams
- Lipids 0.3 grams
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Available carbohydrates 17.6 grams
- Total fiber 1.7 grams
- Sodium 1 mg
- Potassium 210 mg
- Calcium 32 mg
- Phosphorus 19 mg
- Iron 0.3 mg
- Thiamine 0.08 mg
- Riboflavin 0.07 mg
- Niacin 0.3 mg
- Vitamin C 42 mg
- Folic acid 38 μg
- Vitamin A retinol equivalent 18 μg
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