Difference Between Orange and Clementine

Key Difference – Orange vs. Clementine

Identifying the different varieties of oranges can be challenging. Clementine belongs to the family of oranges, and they are more difficult to distinguish from other sweet oranges because they look similar to each other. However, in spite of their many similarities, there are some important differences between other oranges and clementine. Nutritionally, all oranges are similar and rich invitamin C,antioxidants, anddietary fiber. Both clementine and other oranges provide trace amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium,folic acid, and vitamin E. However, thesize and sterility of the fruit are the key differencesbetween sweet orange and clementine. The sweet orange is the fruit of the citrus species that belong to the familyRutaceae.Clementine is a hybrid variety. It is aseedless orange and small in sizecompared to the standard size of oranges. Also,oranges are rich in vitamin A compared to clementine. The purpose of this article is to highlight the differences between orange and clementine fruit.

Facts about Orange

The orange is ahybridvariety betweenpomelo(Citrus maxima) andmandarin(Citrus reticulata). Orange relates mainly to the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.). This tree is aperennial, flowering plant, with a normal height of 9-10 m. It originated in China and, in 2012, sweet oranges accounted for approximately 70% of citrus production. The orange appears in different sizes and shapes varying from spherical to oblong and has a pebbly-skinned. Compared to other oranges, sweet oranges are easy to peel and readily separate into individual sections. It is peeled and consumed in fresh form, or the fresh fruit is also used inmarmalade, salads, desserts and main serving dishes. Furthermore, fresh juice and frozen juice concentrate are also prepared using oranges. Commercially available fresh orange fruits contain seeds and the number of seeds in each segment varies greatly.

Facts about Clementine?

Clementines are a different type of oranges that ripen around Christmas season. In the United States, clementines are typically available in November to January. Commercially grown clementines are always seedless. The clementines are a perfect fruit or snack for young children because of its lack ofseeds. Similar to Mandarin, they tend to be easy to peel. The peel is deep orange with a smooth, glossy appearance and it can be separated into 7 to 14 segments.They are naturally juicy and sweet, with less acid content than other oranges.

What is the difference between Orange and Clementine?

Origin:

Orangesoriginated in China.

Clementinewas created by a French missionary known as Marie-Clement Rodier in Algeria over 100 years ago.

Growing Countries:

Brazil and the USA are main planters oforangein the world.

Clementineis grown in Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Italy, Israel, Lebanon, Iran and Turkey.

Hybridization:

Orangeis a hybrid variety of pomelo (Citrus maxima) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Its genes approximately come from 25% pomelo and 75% mandarin.

Clementineis a hybrid between a Mediterranean citrus and a sweet orange.

Seed Content:

Orangescontain seeds, and one segment contains up to six seeds.

Clementineis a seedless orange.

Taste:

Orangeshave a sweet flavor, and its acidity is somewhat low compared to other standards oranges.

Clementinehas a tart, tangy and sweet flavor.

Vitamin A Content:

Orangescontain significantly more vitamin A than clementines.

Clementinehas negligible/trace amount of vitamin A.

Varieties:

Valencia orange, Hamlin cultivar, Belladonna, Cadanera, Cherry Orange are varieties oforanges.

Spanish clementine and Nadorcott are varieties ofClementine. The Nadorcott variety is famous for its more red-orange color, thinner peel, and less sweet and more tart and bitter than the Clemenules/Spanish clementine.

Uses:

Orangesare used for fresh juice, frozen juice concentrate, canning, marmalade and fruit salad preparation purposes. However, due to added sugar in canned oranges products increases the calorie content and decreases the nutritional value of the fruit. In addition to the fruit, the peel is used as a spice for cooking, baking, drinks, or candy as well as Chinese traditional medicine.

Clementineis mainly used as snack/fruits after main meal.

Cultural Significance:

Orangesare considered traditional symbols of abundance and good fortune during the two-week celebration mainly during Chinese New Year season. Therefore, these oranges are commonly presented as decoration and offered as gifts to friends and relatives.

Clementineshave a huge demand during Christmas season and also known asChristmas oranges. It is sometimes used as a Christmas tradition in Japan, Canada, the United States, and Russia.

Alternative Names:

Orangesare known as Tango, Sweet oranges, Chinese apples, Naranjito.

Clementineis known asMoroccan clementine, seedless tangerines, Christmas oranges, Thanksgiving Orange, and Cantra in India.

In conclusion, oranges and Clementine are members of the citrus family and similar to traditional oranges, but they each have slightly different sensory and physical properties. However, the Clementine is not always easy to differentiate from varieties of sweet oranges.

References

Hodgson, Richard Willard (1967). Chapter 4: Horticultural Varieties of Citrus. The Citrus Industry (Revised edition) ( University of California, Division of Agricultural Sciences). Retrieved February 14, 2009.

Nicolosi, E., Deng, Z. N., Gentile, A., La Malfa, S., Continella, G. and Tribulato, E. (2000). Citrus phylogeny and genetic origin of important species as investigated by molecular markers.TAG Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 100(8): 1155–1166.

Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. 1985. Los Angeles: Institute of Chinese Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1.Orange Fruit PiecesBy Evan-Amos (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2.Clementine OrangeBy Petr Kratochvil [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons