Tangerines

Bursting with strong, sweet flavor, tangerines are native to southeastern China’s tropical forests and grown in California and in many other areas. The tangerine scores a 95 out of 100 in Dr. T.C. Fry’s “A General Guide to Food Selection,” making this food among the highest rated.

Tangerines are in season from November through March. A medium-size tangerine measures 2½ inches in diameter, weighs 88 grams and contains 47 calories.

Tangerines belong to the Rutaceae family, which includes oranges, in the genus Citrus. Hybrid varieties of tangerines include tangelos, or honeybells, which are mixtures of tangerine and orange or grapefruit and contain knobs at one end. Other hybrids include clementines.

Tangerines contain a rich supply of Vitamin C. The fruit contains 85 percent water by weight.

Stats for 100 Grams of Tangerines (Mandarin Oranges)

• 53 calories

Notable Nutrients

Percentages based on the Reference Daily Intake for a 2,000-calorie diet

• Fiber: 7.2%
• Vitamin A: 13.6%
• Vitamin C: 44.5%
• Potassium: 4.7%

Carbs/Protein/Fat

• Carbohydrates: 90%
• Protein: 5.1%
• Fat: 4.9%

Food Type

• Acid fruit

Sources

• Self Healing Colitis & Crohn’s by Dr. David Klein
• http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2345
• http://www.cronometer.com
• http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/tangerines.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangerine