Mandarins: History, varieties, nutrition & recipes
There are more than 10 varieties of mandarins available in Australia, including the most popular Imperial Mandarin. Other varieties we stock in store include Honey Murcott, Hickson, Daisy and Afourer mandarins. Some varieties such as Imperial are easier to peel and contain fewer seeds than others. Mandarins are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and are low-GI.
Imperial - A small to medium sized fruit with smooth, thin-skinned. Easy to peel with a stunning sweet flavour.
Honey Murcott - A deliciously sweet, late maturing fruit with a distinctive honey taste (hence the name). Similar in size to an Imperial, but seeded and not quite as easy to peel. The Honey Murcott has a high juice and sugar content, making it the sweetest of all the mandarin varieties.
Afourer - A highly attractive deep orange-red colour and is easy to peel. Very flavoursome mandarin with a high juice content. Usually seedless, but depends on growing conditions.
Hickson - This variety is reported to have originated near the town of Roma, Qld, Australia. The fruit averages 6 cm X 5 cm, has a slight neck, and a smooth, yellowish-orange rind with some gloss. The orange-fleshed fruit is juicy with good flavor and has 12-15 seeds.
Sumo - The Australian-grown, seedless Sumo Citrus mandarin is known for its sweet and juicy flesh, but particularly its large size and identifiable "top-knot".
Empress - These are a new variety of mandarins similar to a Honey Murcott but highly coloured. These fruit have a moderate amount of seeds and are not easy peel, but have a low acid content and are juicy and very sweet.
Daisy - Daisy produces a medium-large, mid-season mandarin with an attractive dark orange rind. . Daisy is moderately seedy with one to three seeds per section.
Selecting tips:
Ripe mandarins are firm with loose-feeling skin.
A citrusy perfume is evidence of a ripe mandarin.
If you are looking for ready to eat fruit pick mandarins with a bit of give to the skin.
Look for fruit that feels heavy for its size and is firm to touch.
Store mandarins in a cool dry place until ready to eat.
Health Benefits:
Mandarins are a great way to flush out toxins from your body and keep things moving in your digestive system as they are a key source of fibre! This helps to lower your cholesterol and keep your blood sugar balanced by slowing food absorption.
They strengthen your bones! Mandarins contain calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium to help build bone strength, create new bone, and fight osteoporosis. This is particularly important for anyone over 40!
Mandarins are packed with nutrients! They contain Vitamins A, B, and a high level of Vitamin C which is great for preventing infections, removing free radicals, and supporting skin health. The Vitamin C found in mandarins works to stop colds and keep your immune system functioning properly so you can fight off any nasty bugs that come your way!
100g of mandarins yields the following:
Vitamin C – 53% of DV
Vitamin A – 6% of DV
Vitamin B-6 – 5% of DV
Potassium – 6% of DV
Calcium – 3% of DV
Magnesium – 3% of DV
Iron – 1% of DV
