Finally, clementines originated in southern Europe from the accidental hybridization of Mandarins and Sweet Oranges. Tangerines are more likely to contain pesky seeds in them, but are equally as delicious. Tangerines, on the other hand, originated in North Africa and are slightly more tart than Mandarin oranges. Mandarins are easy to peel and contain very few seeds. Mandarin oranges originated in China (hence the name Mandarin) and have a sweet orange flavour. While these three may look the same, there are some differences in terms of their origins and flavours. Mandarins, Clementines & Tangerines: Much smaller than a regular orange, these little gems pack a flavourful punch and are the perfect on-the-go snack. While they are available year round, the most flavourful oranges can be bought from November to April. The majority of oranges that are imported to Canada come from tropical regions such as Florida, California, and sometimes Australia and Brazil. From every day varieties such as Valencia and Navel to the exotic Cara Cara, oranges are sweet and juicy. Sweet Oranges: The most common of all citrus fruits.

Truly, for us Canadians who can’t grow citrus en masse, citrus season is a real blessing. With the high-quality imports of oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, clementines, lemons and limes, we can enjoy a taste of sunshine at a relatively low price. It’s surprising that in the dead of winter, tropical citrus fruits are in peak season.

Clementine growing season