tangerine

/tan'jeuh reen", tan"jeuh reen'/, n.

1. Also called mandarin, mandarin orange. any of several varieties of mandarin, cultivated widely, esp. in the U.S.

2. deep orange; reddish orange.

adj.

3. of the color tangerine; reddish-orange.

[TANG(I)ER + -INE¹]

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Small, thin-skinned variety of the mandarin orange species (Citrus reticulata deliciosa) of the rue family (citrus family).

Probably native to Southeast Asia, today it is cultivated in subtropical regions worldwide, especially southern Europe and the southern U.S. The tree is smaller than other orange trees, with slender twigs and lance-shaped leaves. The fruit is slightly flattened at each end and has a loose, reddish orange peel. Easily separated segments of tender, juicy, richly flavoured pulp are abundant in vitamin C. Oil from the fragrant skin is a characteristic ingredient in several flavourings and liqueurs. The tangerine crossed with the grapefruit produced the hybrid known as the tangelo.

Tangerine (Citrus reticulata deliciosa)

Grant Heilman

EB Inc.

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▪ fruit

 small, thin-skinned variety of orange belonging to the mandarin orange species of the family Rutaceae. Probably indigenous to Southeast Asia, tangerine culture spread westward along trade routes as far as the Mediterranean; in modern times, the fruit is cultivated in the subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World, especially in southern Europe and the southern United States. Commercial crops are grown in Arizona, California, the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, and the Gulf states.

      The tangerine tree is smaller than other orange trees, with slender twigs and lance-shaped leaves. The fruit is slightly flattened at either end, with loose, deep, reddish-orange peel and easily separated segments. The tender, juicy, richly flavoured pulp is abundant in vitamin C. Some varieties ship well. Those marketed commercially include Minneola, Orlando, Dancy, and Seminole. Oil extracted from the fragrant skin of the tangerine is a characteristic ingredient in several flavourings and liqueurs. Tangerines have been crossed with grapefruit to produce tangelos.

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