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Buying And Storing Tangerines – Tips And Tricks

It’s finally tangerine time again! The orange fruits are currently piling up in the supermarkets. A small drop of bitterness: Buying tangerines is sometimes a matter of luck, because often you can’t tell how old the fruit is by looking at it. Therefore: tips for buying and storing tangerines.

Tangerines are a delicious, healthy snack. The citrus fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, provitamin A, carotenoids and flavonoids. Three tangerines (or two oranges) a day roughly meet an adult’s vitamin C needs. Now the fruit is in high season – the main harvest time in southern Europe is from November to March.

The orange fruits are popular because they taste wonderfully sweet and are easy to peel, even without a knife. Unfortunately, it happens again and again that you make a mistake when buying tangerines – and the fruits are not sweet and juicy, but dry and woody.

Tips for buying tangerines

  • If the tangerine feels suspiciously light in your hand, it’s best to leave it alone. The longer the fruit has been harvested, the more juice evaporates – and the lighter the fruit is.
  • If you feel that there is air between the peel and the fruit, this is a sign that the tangerine is not quite fresh anymore.
  • Tangerines should be nice and plump and not yield to light pressure.
  • If the stalk, i.e. the part where the fruit hung on the tree, is light and fresh, this is a good sign.
  • If this spot has a brownish discoloration, this indicates that it was harvested some time ago.
  • Don’t buy tangerines with mushy or brown spots.
  • Green leaves are usually a sign of fresh fruit.
  • Conventional fruits can contain a lot of pesticides in the skin. The chemicals are intended to protect the fruit from drying out and mold growth. It is therefore best to buy organic mandarins.
  • If you want to use the bowl for cooking or baking, you should always buy organic goods.
  • Pay attention to the origin of the tangerines: Avoid fruits that come from far away South
  • America and prefer to use European goods.
  • The note “untreated” does not mean that the fruit has never been treated with pesticides. The note refers only to the period after the harvest.

Important: Be sure to wash your hands after peeling and before eating!

Store tangerines correctly

Real tangerines (recognizable by their thin skin) cannot be stored for too long. After about two weeks, the fruits become dry and no longer taste good. However, most of the fruits in the supermarkets are not tangerines at all, but clementines. These last much longer – if you store them properly:

  • The thicker the skin of the fruit, the longer it stays fresh.
  • Tangerines and clementines should be stored in a cool place, then they will keep for a few weeks.
  • Tangerines (and their relatives) do not belong in the fruit basket and certainly not near the heater, where they dry out extremely quickly and then taste strawy.
  • In the refrigerator, however, it is too cold for the sweet fruits. Exception: You have a special vegetable compartment. If stored too cold, their aromatic taste is lost. The cellar or a cool pantry is ideal for storing tangerines.
  • It is best to place the delicate fruits next to each other – and not on top of each other.
  • Transport the citrus fruits carefully to avoid bruises.
  • If a fruit begins to go moldy, you should discard the whole fruit.
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Written by Melis Campbell

A passionate, culinary creative who is experienced and enthusiastic about recipe development, recipe testing, food photography, and food styling. I am accomplished in creating an array of cuisines and beverages, through my understanding of ingredients, cultures, travels, interest in food trends, nutrition, and have a great awareness of various dietary requirements and wellness.

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