Moroccan tangerines are an integral attribute of the New Year and the festive table. These fruits are easily recognizable among all the others by their characteristic black diamond-shaped sticker. Meanwhile, there are several varieties of these fruits, each of which is distinguished by its taste and characteristics.
How to choose tangerines
Of course, the fruit must initially be inspected for the absence of foreign spots or other unpresentable marks. So, on quality tangerines there should not be any marks, specks or dents, places of decay, and even more so there should not be mold or overt rot. The fruits themselves must be resilient, not too soft, more or less regular in shape. Dry or even hard Moroccan tangerines should not be bought - it is better to give preference to dense and weighty fruits that will have a sweet taste.
The peel should be porous with uniform color. About the latter - the color of the fruit varies from light yellow to saturated orange.
Varieties of tangerines by country of origin
The appearance and taste of tangerines depend on which territory and in what climatic conditions they were grown. Today, there are several varieties of citrus fruits that are classified, depending on the countries of origin. So, there are the following types of tangerines:
- Tangerines from Abkhazia. This is a fairly small fruit with a yellow skin. Sometimes they may have small green spots or streaks. These are juicy fruits with a sweet and sour taste with a small amount of seeds.
- Mandarins from Spain are quite expensive. Fruits with a thick and soft peel, which very easily leaves directly from the fruit itself.
- Moroccan tangerines boast a relatively low price and delicious taste. The shape of the fruit is slightly flattened, the peel is bright and rich golden-orange color. Tangerines are juicy and sweet with a few seeds.
It is worth noting that several types of citrus fruits can be grown in the same country. That is why Moroccan tangerines are often found on sale, which in their characteristics correspond to the same Spanish ones, for example.
What kind of fruit is this?
Mandarin is a small tree or evergreen shrub with fairly hard leaves of saturated green color, which contain a large amount of essential oils. Flowering shrubs begin around the beginning of May. The inflorescences of a tree or shrub exude a pleasant sweetish aroma. If the insects managed to process mandarin oranges before the rainy season begins, you can expect a rich harvest of citrus fruits.
Traditionally, Moroccan tangerines are a symbol of the upcoming New Year and Christmas. Where do these fruits come from to store shelves? As a rule, the most common supplier countries are Spain, Abkhazia, Morocco, Egypt, etc. Bright coloring of fruits, unique aroma and unsurpassed taste - all this gives the holiday atmosphere and enhances the feeling of magic approaching.
To whom are tangerines contraindicated?
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to enjoy juicy citrus fruits. We are talking about those who are allergic to everything juicy, bright, yellow-orange and sweet and sour. Even small tangerines are a fairly strong allergen, which can provoke very undesirable consequences.
In addition, with special care, ripe fruits need to be enjoyed by those people who suffer from chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. So, for example, ulcers should refrain from using tangerines, even in the New Year. The same warning applies to young children who have not yet fully identified allergic reactions. Excessive consumption of tangerines and other citrus fruits can cause severe allergies. In addition, even healthy people should not abuse the holiday mood and lean on tangerines - after all, this is a strong allergen.
Taste qualities of Moroccan tangerines
Moroccan tangerines, as we have already noted, differ in oblate shape. The peel of the fruit is dense with uniform pores. The presence of small greenish spots or veins on the peel is allowed, but the main color of the mandarin is orange.
The pulp of Moroccan tangerines is juicy, with a moderate content of seeds in it. The taste is sweet and sour, but sweetness still prevails over the acid of taste. The cost of Moroccan tangerines is moderate. In the pre-holiday bustle, you can easily purchase several kilograms of ripe fruit for yourself and your loved ones. Such tangerines are well stored, unlike the same Spanish, for example.
Benefits of Moroccan Mandarins
It has already become clear how to choose tangerines and what you should pay attention to first of all. Now it is worth deciding on the main advantages of these fruits. First of all, an obvious fact should be noted - Moroccan tangerines, like all citrus fruits, are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. In addition, orange fruits contain a fairly large amount of flavonoids and organic acids. Mandarins from Morocco are characterized by a high content of vitamin C, which means that on the eve of the New Year there is a great opportunity to strengthen the immune system and significantly raise the mood for yourself and everyone around us by treating them with a mandarin duck.
Storage of tangerines
Existing types of tangerines determine the features and terms of their storage. For example, Moroccan fruits are unpretentious and differ in that they can wait a long time for their finest hour. As a rule, fruits are stored at a temperature of about +4 - +8 degrees. For better preservation, it is recommended to put fresh fruits in a plastic bag - this is necessary in order to reduce the influx of fresh air, which can cause the fruit to dry out.
In any case, it should be understood that tangerines at home are difficult to preserve in their original form for a long time. Typically, these fruits are stored for about 4 to 6 days, after which the process of decay or drying begins. It is worth noting that Moroccan tangerines are easier to save without special tricks. It is enough to put them on a vegetable shelf in the refrigerator and cover with a sheet of clean and thick paper (for example, parchment).