Mandarin orange
The wild mandarin evolved in a restricted region of South China and Vietnam. Genetic studies confirm this species is one of the original citrus taxa. It served as an ancestor for many hybrid cultivars through natural breeding or human intervention. The citron and pomelo joined it to create commercially important hybrids like sweet oranges and grapefruit. An ancestral mandarin orange was bitter before humans began selecting for sweetness. Most commercial strains derive from hybridization with the pomelo, which gives them sweet fruit. Domestication appears to have happened at least twice in the north and south Nanling Mountains. Wild mandarins still exist there, including Daoxian mandarines found free of introgressed pomelo DNA. These wild varieties show small amounts of introgression from the ichang papeda growing in the same region. The Nanling Mountains hold northern and southern genetic clusters of domestic mandarins. They display different patterns of pomelo introgression and distinct historical population histories. Varieties such as Nanfengmiju and Satsuma come from the northern domestication event producing larger redder fruit. Willowleaf, Dancy, Sunki, Cleopatra, King, and Ponkan belong to the smaller yellower-fruited southern cluster.
The Tanaka classification system divided domestic mandarins into numerous species with distinct names. It named willowleaf mandarins Citrus deliciosa and satsumas Citrus unshiu. Under the Swingle system all these are considered varieties of a single species Citrus reticulata. Hodgson represented them as several subgroups including common Satsuma King Mediterranean and mandarin hybrids. In the genomic-based species taxonomy of Ollitrault et al only pure wild type mandarins fall under C. reticulata. Pomelo admixture found in the majority of mandarins causes them to be classified as varieties of the hybrid bitter orange C. aurantium. Genetic analysis is consistent with continental mandarins representing a single species varying due to hybridization. An island species Citrus ryukyuensis diverged 2 to 3 million years ago when cut off by rising sea levels. This species was found on Okinawa Island. Its hybridization with the mainland species has produced unique island cultivars in Japan and Taiwan such as Tachibana orange Shekwasha and Nanfengmiju. They have some pomelo DNA like all domesticated mandarins. Northern and southern domesticates contain different pomelo contributions. An acidic group including Sunki and Cleopatra mandarins likewise contains small regions of introgressed pomelo DNA.
In 2022 world production of mandarin oranges combined with tangerines clementines and satsumas reached 44.2 million tonnes. China led global output with 61% of the total. Spain produced 1.8 million tonnes that same year. Turkey Egypt and Morocco served as other significant producers. The mandarin orange is tender and damaged easily by cold. It can only be grown in tropical and subtropical areas. A mature mandarin tree can yield up to 50 kilograms of fruit. The tree trunk and major branches have thorns. Leaves are shiny green and rather small. Petioles are short almost wingless or slightly winged. Flowers are borne singly or in small groups in leaf-axils. Citrus are usually self-fertile needing only a bee to move pollen within the same flower. Some varieties are parthenocarpic not needing pollination and therefore seedless such as the satsuma.
A mandarin orange contains 85% water and 13% carbohydrates. Fat and protein exist in negligible amounts within the fruit. Among micronutrients only vitamin C appears in significant content. A 100-gram reference serving provides 32% of the Daily Value for this nutrient. All other nutrients remain in low amounts. The fruit may be seedless or contain a small number of seeds. Their color ranges from orange yellow-orange to red-orange. Skin is thin and peels off easily. This easiness to peel serves as an important advantage over other citrus fruits. Mandarins separate easily from segments just like other citrus fruits. They can be eaten whole or squeezed to make juice. A ripe mandarin orange feels firm to slightly soft and heavy for its size. The skin is pebbly-skinned with little white mesocarp.
Mandarins have a stronger and sweeter taste than sweet oranges. They are peeled and eaten fresh or used in salads desserts and main dishes. Fresh mandarins appear in production of the liqueur Mandarine Napoléon. The peel is used fresh whole or as zest. Dried peel becomes chenpi used as a spice for cooking baking drinks or candy. Essential oil from fresh peel may flavor candy gelatins ice cream chewing gum and baked goods. It also flavors some liqueurs. The peel is thin and loose making them easy to split into segments. Hybrids possess these traits to lesser degrees. The taste remains sweeter and stronger than common oranges. Ripe fruit stays firm to slightly soft while remaining heavy for its size.
In North America mandarins are commonly purchased in 5- or 10-pound boxes wrapped in soft green paper. People give them in Christmas stockings following a custom dating back to the 1880s. Japanese immigrants in Canada and the United States began receiving Japanese mandarin oranges from families back home as gifts for New Year. The tradition spread among non-Japanese population eastwards across the country. Each November harvest oranges were quickly unloaded and shipped east by rail. Orange Trains with boxcars painted orange alerted everyone along the way that irresistible oranges from Japan returned for holidays. Satsumas grew in the United States from early 1900s yet Japan remained a major supplier. U.S. imports of these Japanese oranges suspended due to hostilities during World War II. Residual hostility led to rebranding these oranges as Mandarin instead of Japanese after war ended. Delivery of first batch from Japan port of Vancouver greeted with festival combining Santa Claus and Japanese dancers. Young girls dressed in traditional kimonos performed at this event. Historically Christmas fruit sold was mostly Dancys but now often hybrid. Saint Nicholas put gold coins into stockings of three poor girls so they could afford marriage. Oranges became symbolic stand-in for gold balls put in Christmas stockings in Canada.
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Common questions
Where did the wild mandarin orange evolve?
The wild mandarin evolved in a restricted region of South China and Vietnam. Genetic studies confirm this species is one of the original citrus taxa.
When was world production of mandarin oranges measured at 44.2 million tonnes?
In 2022 world production of mandarin oranges combined with tangerines clementines and satsumas reached 44.2 million tonnes. China led global output with 61% of the total that same year.
What are the physical characteristics of a mature mandarin tree?
A mature mandarin tree can yield up to 50 kilograms of fruit and has thorns on its trunk and major branches. Leaves are shiny green and rather small while petioles are short almost wingless or slightly winged.
How much vitamin C does a 100-gram serving of mandarin orange provide?
A 100-gram reference serving provides 32% of the Daily Value for vitamin C which appears as the only significant micronutrient in the fruit. All other nutrients remain in low amounts within the flesh.
Why were Japanese mandarins rebranded as Mandarin after World War II?
U.S. imports of these Japanese oranges suspended due to hostilities during World War II and residual hostility led to rebranding these oranges as Mandarin instead of Japanese after war ended. Delivery of first batch from Japan port of Vancouver greeted with festival combining Santa Claus and Japanese dancers.