Mandarin Oranges vs Clementines: Difference and Comparison

Mandarin Oranges and Clementine are both types of oranges. They look similar to each other not only in texture but also in their features and, hence, are misinterpreted with each other.

Although these are both types of oranges and have some similar features, they differ from each other in many ways. 

Key Takeaways

1. Mandarin oranges are small, loose-skinned citrus fruits, while clementines are a seedless variety within the mandarin family.
2. Clementines are sweeter and juicier than most mandarin oranges, with thinner skin.
3. Mandarin oranges have seeds, while clementines are seedless, making them easier to eat.

Mandarin Oranges vs Clementines 

Mandarin oranges are a type of citrus fruit that originated in Southeast Asia and are now grown in many parts of the world, including China, Japan, and the United States. Clementines are a mandarin orange type marketed under a specific brand name. They are smaller and sweeter than other varieties of mandarin oranges.

A Mandarin orange is a citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family. Mandarins are further divided into three main varieties- Satsumas, Tangerines, and Clementine. The scientific name of a Mandarin orange is Citrus reticulata.

Mandarins have a lighter shade of orange colour and are flatter in shape. These are small and sweet oranges. However, they are less sweet than Clementine.  

Clementine is a variety or type of Mandarin orange. This implies the fact that every Mandarin orange is not a clementine. However, every clementine is a Mandarin orange.

Mandarin oranges are available in several varieties, but clementines are the smallest of all. They are flat in shape and are easier to peel than Mandarins. Clementines are sweeter than Mandarins.   

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Mandarin Oranges	Clementines
Type	A Mandarin orange is a citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family that is further divided into three varieties- Satsumas, Tangerines, and Clementine.	Clementines are varieties of Mandarin oranges. They belong to the category of Mandarins.
Scientific Name	The scientific name of a Mandarin orange is Citrus reticulata.	The scientific name of a Clementine is Citrus x Clementina
Nutrition	Less nutritious than Clementines.	More nutritious than Mandarins.
Classification	Every Mandarin is not a Clementine.	Every Clementine is a Mandarin.
Taste	Mandarins are less sweet than Clementines.	Clementines are sweeter than Mandarins.
Size	Mandarins are not as small in size as Clementines.	Clementines are the smallest of all Mandarin varieties.
Skin	Mandarin oranges have thinner skin that makes it easier to peel off.	Clementines have more thin skins than Mandarins, and, hence, are easier to peel off than Mandarins.
Seeds	Mandarins have seeds present.	Clementines do not contain seeds, and, hence are seedless.
Colour	Mandarins have a light orange colour.	Clementines have a reddish-orange colour. They have a darker shade of orange.

What are Mandarin Oranges? 

A Mandarin orange is a citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family. Mandarins are further divided into three main varieties- Satsumas, Tangerines, and Clementine. Therefore, all Clementines are Mandarin oranges, but not all Mandarin oranges are Clementines.  

The scientific name of a Mandarin orange is Citrus reticulata. Mandarins have a lighter and brighter shade of orange colour. They are oblate and less spherical and are small in size. Mandarins have thin skin, and hence, it is easier to peel their skin off.  

Mandarin oranges are not as sweet as Clementines and are also not as nutritious as Clementines. Mandarin oranges have seeds. They have grown abundantly in China.  

What are Clementines? 

Clementine is a variety or type of Mandarin orange. This implies the fact that all Mandarin oranges are not clementine, but all clementines are a type of Mandarin oranges. The scientific name of Clementine is Citrus x, Clementina.  

Clementines have a darker reddish shade of orange and are the smallest of all Mandarin varieties. They are sweeter and have thinner skin than Mandarins. Hence, their skin is easier to peel off than Mandarin oranges.  

Clementines are also more nutritious than Mandarin oranges. Clementines are grown abundantly in Algeria, Italy, Turkey, and Spain. 

Main Differences Between Mandarin Oranges and Clementines

1. A Mandarin orange is a citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family. Mandarins are further divided into three main varieties- Satsumas, Tangerines, and Clementine. On the other hand, Clementines are a part of Mandarin oranges.  
2. Every Mandarin orange is not a Clementine. However, every Clementine is a Mandarin orange.  
3. Mandarin oranges are less sweet than Clementines, whereas, Clementines are the sweetest category of Mandarins. 
4. Mandarin oranges are small in size. However, Clementines are the smallest of all Mandarin varieties.  
5. Mandarin oranges have thin skin, and hence, it is easy to peel off. On the other hand, Clementines have smoother and thinner skin than mandarins and hence, are easier to peel off.  
6. Mandarins are less nutritious than Clementines. Clementines, on the other hand, are more nutritious. 
7. Mandarin oranges have seeds present in them, whereas Clementines do not have seeds.  
8. Mandarin oranges have a lighter and brighter orange colour, whereas Clementines have a darker or reddish-orange colour. 
9. The scientific name of a Mandarin orange is Citrus reticulata. On the other hand, the scientific name of a Clementine is Citrus x, Clementina. 

References 

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304423801003119 
2. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf900710v 

Last Updated : 01 August, 2023