Mandarins are sometimes called the younger brothers of oranges. However, the composition of nutrients in these fruits is slightly different. Tangerines, like grapefruits and lemons, are a storehouse of vitamin C. They contain flavonoids that help fight obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis. And this is not all the healing properties of tangerines.
Mandarins are the common name for different varieties of citrus fruits. They are, as a rule, sweeter than other “brothers” of the citrus family, have a pleasant warm orange color, are easy to clean and have many beneficial substances. In our latitudes, tangerine is the main fruit of the winter holidays and a favorite delicacy of children.
Botanical features
Mandarin belongs to the largest and most diverse group of citrus fruits. Their fruits vary in size and sweetness. Some may contain a lot of seeds, others may be without them at all. The tangerine tree is generally slightly smaller than the orange tree. Although this does not mean that it belongs to dwarf plants. A mature tree has a wide crown and can exceed 7 meters in height. It is a thorny evergreen with slender twigs and fragrant white flowers. During the first 5 years, the tree practically does not produce a crop, and the peak of fruiting reaches about 12 years.
The fruits of this citrus are significantly smaller than oranges, slightly flattened with a skin from bright orange to red-orange .… In ripe fruits, the peel is loose and easily separates from the slices. Compared to oranges, these plants are more cold tolerant and drought tolerant. However, ripe mandarin fruits are more tender and easier to damage. Like all citrus fruits, tangerines provide the body with many vitamins and minerals, but at the same time they are practically free of calories and fat. Today there are many varieties of this plant, so scientists use a variety of classifications for it.
Mandarin, where are you from?
It is believed that the homeland of these sweet citrus fruits is northeast India. Biologists suggest that the first mandarin trees appeared 3000 years ago. From India, tangerine “migrated” to China, then to Europe, the countries of North Africa and Australia.
At the beginning of the 25th century, two varieties of this tree came to England, then they spread to the Mediterranean countries, and from there to the American continent. Today, this plant is most common in Japan, southern China, India, East Indies, Australia, USA, Mexico. Still, the main supplier of these sweet fruits is China, where about half of the world’s total tangerine harvest is grown. The Chinese harvest 30-XNUMX million tons of these fruits annually.
Types of Tangerines
Tangerines of different varieties and types come to our markets farmer-online.com… One of the most popular is Clementine. These fruits are a hybrid of mandarin and bitter orange. They are characterized by a sweet and sour taste, pleasant aroma and a small amount of seeds. These are the smallest representatives of the tangerine family.
A hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit, called tangelo, is easily recognizable by its very sweet taste with light bitterness and large size (the largest). Seedless tangerines, which also often appear on our shelves, are called Japanese, and fruits with a reddish tinge are representatives of the Tangor variety.
If you are looking for very sweet fruits, then choose among Moroccan or Israeli varieties. The fruits of the varieties Robinson, Clementine, Honey, Mineola, Dancy, Temple also fit into this characteristic. Would you like fruit with a sour taste? It is necessary to search among the Turkish, Chinese and Abkhazian “guests”. Looking for tangerines that are easy to peel? Japanese, Spanish, Moroccan, Turkish and Abkhaz varieties are suitable.
Nutritional value
Despite their sweet taste, tangerines are almost calorie-free. They are more than 85% water. For this reason, tangerines are on the list of fruits allowed for diabetics.
Mandarin is the richest source of vitamin A among citrus fruits.
For comparison: if 100 g of pomelo contains about 8 IU of this vitamin, in lemon – 22 IU, in oranges – 247 IU, then in tangerines this figure is 681 IU. As you know, the health of eyes, skin, teeth and bones depends on this vitamin.
As for ascorbic acid, its reserves of 100 g of fruit will provide 38% of the daily intake of the vitamin. Also, this fruit contains a certain amount of B vitamins and the main antioxidant vitamin E. Flavonoids, which are part of the citrus fruit, serve as an effective means for the prevention and treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiac diseases farmer-online.com… It is important to know that the main concentration of this substance is found in the peel of tangerines. ...
Calories 53 kcal Carbohydrates 13 g Proteins 0,8 g Fats 0,3 g Fiber 1,8 g Folic acid 16 μg Niacin 0,4 mg Pantothenic acid 0,2 mg Pyridoxine 0,08 mg Riboflavin 0,04 mg Thiamine 0,06 mg Vitamin C 27 mg Vitamin A 681 IU Vitamin E 0,2 mg Sodium 2 mg Potassium 166 mg ..
Calcium 37 mg Copper 42 μg Iron 0,2 mg Magnesium 12 mg Manganese 0,04 mg Zinc 0,07 mg .
Benefit for health
Pleasant taste is not the only positive property of tangerines. This citrus has a number of health benefits, from weight loss to cancer prevention 1.
Oncology
Studies have shown that tangerine can reduce the risk of liver cancer. Scientists say this is due to its rich carotenoid content. Many doctors attribute tangerine juice to patients with hepatitis C. In addition, this fruit contains a high concentration of limonene, which has anti-cancer properties, in particular, it is especially effective against breast cancer. ...
Vitamin C Source
This is probably the best-known fact about mandarins: they contain a lot of vitamin C (approximately 38% of the DV). Now let’s look at this fact in more detail. So what benefits does the body get from ascorbic acid? This vitamin is one of the most important antioxidants for humans. It fights free radicals that cause cancer and increase the tendency to colds and viral diseases ..… That is, the antioxidants contained in tangerines are able to “disarm” free radicals and protect the body from the most terrible diseases. ...
Cholesterol
Synephrine is one of the chemical components of mandarins. What is he famous for? Scientists claim that synephrine inhibits the production of so-called bad cholesterol in the body, which causes atherosclerosis. On the other hand, the hemicellulose and pectin (insoluble fiber) present in the fruit prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.
Hypertension
Tangerines help lower blood pressure. And it’s not a joke. Scientists say that thanks to a unique set of minerals and vitamins, this fruit does have the ability to regulate blood pressure. The tangerine diet promotes smooth and even blood flow through the vessels ...
Excess weight
It may sound strange, but this sweet fruit is ideal for an obese diet. .., and all thanks to the high fiber content in citrus fruits. Dietary fiber gets into the stomach, filling it and keeping you feeling full for a long time, preventing overeating. In addition, doctors have found that tangerines are able to regulate glucose levels in the bloodstream. This means that the body uses the consumed sugar as fuel, and does not store it in the form of fat reserves. ...
Tangerines also contain organic acids (citric and malic). They accelerate the process of cleansing the body of toxins and toxins, improve digestion, and speed up metabolism. Together, it also promotes easy weight loss.
The immune system
With what do we usually visit sick friends? That’s right, with oranges. And all because they contain a lot of vitamin C, which is necessary for strengthening the immune system. The same vitamin is also found in rather large quantities in tangerines. In addition, these sweet fruits also have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Also, tangerines relieve spasms in the digestive system and soothe the nerves. They prevent vomiting, which often occurs with a high body temperature. In addition to what has already been said: tangerines cleanse the blood of toxins and decay products, which is also a great help for the body weakened by the disease.
Leather
And again we have to remember about ascorbic acid. This delicious vitamin is also good for the skin. Moreover, its beneficial effect will affect both after eating fruits and after using their pulp as a natural cosmetic. Regular consumption of tangerine juice improves skin tone and color. Antioxidants protect the skin from the aggressive effects of ultraviolet rays and help the skin resist the sun. Cosmetologists advise to wipe the skin of the face with the juice of this fruit to get rid of age spots and wrinkles. Also, as a cosmetic, tinctures from tangerine peel are perfect, which contains no less useful components than the pulp of the fruit. But dermatologists advise tangerine oil as a means to accelerate wound healing.
Hair
The antioxidant properties of citrus fruits are great for hair health. Tangerine juice added to ready-made cosmetics will make hair shiny and strong. A mask made of tangerine juice is effective for healing dull and weakened hair.
Caveats
Mandarins, like all citrus fruits, are quite often the cause of food allergies, so nutritionists do not advise pregnant women to abuse the fruit. Excessive consumption of citrus fruits can be bad for the health of the expectant mother, as well as harm the child. In addition, doctors strongly recommend washing the fruits before eating, since most of them are chemically treated during transportation.
This sweet citrus is also prohibited for people with ulcers, gastritis and other diseases of the digestive organs, especially during the period of exacerbation of the disease.
In a children’s diet, mandarin should be introduced slowly, starting with small doses (from a few drops of juice).
How to choose and store
Ripe and healthy fruit should be bright orange in color, free from spots, mildew and rot. To determine the level of ripeness of a citrus, just place it in the palm of your hand: the right fruit will feel a little heavier for its size. The heavier the fruit, the more juice it contains. On the contrary, you should not take very light and soft fruits. Another testament to the quality of the fruit is its aroma. It should be fresh, intense and free of chemical impurities. ...
It is better to store tangerines in a cool place, avoiding direct sunlight. In the refrigerator, the shelf life of the fruit will last up to 2 weeks. And one more important note: tangerines do not tolerate high humidity, therefore it is categorically not recommended to store these fruits in closed plastic bags. You can extend the “life” of fruits if you grease their skins with vegetable oil or wax, which work as natural preservatives.
Tangerines on the table
Mandarins are a healthy dessert that is high in nutrients. Nutritionists recommend eating at least 1-2 fruits daily, and chefs have come up with many recipes to make the tangerine season more diverse. Slices of these fruits are added to salads, desserts such as jellies and puddings, and tangerine oil serves as a natural flavoring agent for baked goods, ice cream, creams, and sweets.
Healthy dessert for kids.
Prepare 1 package of gelatin, 1 glass of boiling water, half a glass of cold water, 1 glass of tangerine juice, chopped pineapple, yogurt and whipped cream.
To prepare this delicacy, you must first dissolve the gelatin in warm water. Then add cold water, tangerine juice and pineapple pieces. Mix everything, pour into a mold and allow to harden. Then whip cream with yogurt and garnish with this airy mass of jelly.
Tangerines with meat
For this dish, you will need 3 bell peppers and 1 carrot, cut into strips, as well as chopped onion in half rings, which should be stewed in a small amount of vegetable oil. Marinate about half a kilogram of beef (cut into strips) in a mixture of tangerine juice, a teaspoon of sugar, ground ginger and soy sauce. During this time, fry the tangerine zest in a pan. When the oil has absorbed the citrus aroma, remove the peel and send the marinated meat to the pan instead. Add stewed vegetables to the finished beef. Simmer for another 5 minutes and can be served.
Tangerine cosmetics
In addition to the juice of these sunny fruits, essential oils are actively used in cosmetology. Preparations with this component will help:
- narrow the pores;
- align skin texture;
- remove traces of scars and age spots;
make the skin supple and toned;- cure ulcers, inflammation, acne.
At home, mandarin essential oil can be used as a component of a face mask.
A product made from a mixture of mandarin, rosehip, mango, and avocado oils is suitable for fading skin.
For oily – a combination of tangerine and peanut oils, to which add the extract of calendula and hypericum.
You can remove irritation from the skin with a mask of essential oils of primrose, walnut and mandarin.
Smooth wrinkles according to the strength of a mixture of tangerine, olive, peach and lavender oils.
In addition, the antiseptic properties of mandarin make the oil from it an effective remedy against herpes and fungi. Also, a few drops of citrus are added to massage oils: a drug is obtained for cellulite and stretch marks. Only 3 drops of tangerine oil added to shampoo will help heal split ends and prevent hair loss.
It is worth knowing that tangerine products should not be applied to the skin before visiting a solarium or going to the beach. Also, citrus essential oil is contraindicated for pregnant women, people with allergies and hypotension.
Interesting Facts
Mandarins are an important part of the Chinese New Year. This fruit in China symbolizes good luck and long life. Due to its bright color, it is used in festive ceremonies where citrus symbolizes the sun and the beginning of the new year. During the two-week celebration, the Chinese present these fruits to each other as gifts.
This sunny fruit is unique. It gives a good mood, strengthens the immune system, improves the condition of the skin and hair … In general, tangerines work miracles, and in many diseases they are more effective than some medicines.
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