Sweet Orange vs Mandarin: Difference and Comparison

We all have eaten oranges in our life and some may like their tangy-sweet taste and some may not.

The family of oranges is divided into many branches and amongst them, sweet orange and mandarin are the famous ones. Both, types of oranges belong to the Rutaceae family.

And Sweet orange and Mandarin have one more thing in common that is their origin which is in China. These fruits can be avoided or control deadly diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, etc.

They differ in many perspectives and they are mentioned below.

Key Takeaways

1. Sweet oranges are larger and more spherical than mandarins.
2. Sweet oranges have thicker skin and fewer seeds than mandarins.
3. Sweet oranges are less sweet and have a more complex flavor than mandarins.

Sweet Orange vs Mandarin

Sweet oranges are larger, have thicker skin, and a slightly tart taste, while mandarins are smaller, have thinner skin, and have a sweeter, more delicate flavor. The flesh of mandarins is sweeter, less tart than sweet oranges, and has a more delicate, fragrant flavor, and color.

Sweet orange is a type of fruit that belongs to the Orange Family. This fruit can be differentiated based on its skin.

It has plain and non-textured skin but its peel is hard to remove as it is comparatively thicker. It provides a lot of nutrients to the body and hence one should try to eat a lot of sweet oranges in its season.

On the other hand, the fruit that belongs to the citrus family of oranges and has uneven skin, that is some texture on it is known as Mandarin.

It comes with smoother skin, that can be removed easily with any issue. It is rich in various nutritions like vitamins, minerals, iron, fiber, etc. If anyone has such deficiencies then Mandarin is very good for them.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Sweet Orange	Mandarin
Sweetness	Sweet Oranges are less sweeter.	If we eat Mandarin then, we can notice that it is slightly sweeter than sweet orange.
Family	Sweet Orange falls under the category of Citrus Sinensis.	Citrus Reticuata is the family branch of Mandarin.
Size	Sweet oranges are bigger.	Mandarins are not as big as Sweet oranges.
Taste	The sweet orange tastes very acidic.	Mandarins are not that acidic, they taste very sweet.
Cultivation	On a very large scale, sweet oranges are cultivated in places in Southern United States, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean region.	Mandarins are widely cultivated in the regions of the Philippines.

What is Sweet Orange?

The oranges that taste tangy, as well as sweet, are known as sweet oranges. It has been categorized in the branch of Citrus Sinensis.

One can identify sweet orange by simply touching and feeling its texture. It has a smooth running texture, that is a clear identification externally. Also, it is big and round in size.

Generally, the peel of sweet oranges is thicker which makes it a bit difficult to peel off. Sweet oranges can be eaten as a fruit, even juice can be prepared from it, or in the form of jams, marmalade, etc.

Sweet oranges are cultivated in many areas and especially in the regions like Southern United States, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean region.

And therefore, the areas near it are aviled with a lot of sweet oranges, and a lot of sweet oranges are even exported in many regions. The people living in these areas enjoy a lot in the respective season.

Sweet oranges provide a lot of protein and fiber in the body, along with some minimal fats, carbohydrates, and calories. Also, the vitamins like Vitamin C, B1, B2, B5, and B9 come from it.

And it helps to prevent dangerous life-threatening issues like Blood Pressure, Stroke, kidney stone, etc. Hence, during its season one should have a lot of Sweet Oranges.

What is Mandarin?

Mandarin is a type of orange cultivated in the regions of the Philipines. It is very sweet and loved by people. It is not just tasty and has medicinal benefits as well.

As we know diabetes patients are asked to avoid sugar, but the sweetness of Mandarin can never go wrong for them, it even helps to maintain good sugar levels in the blood.

It also helps the body to remove all the toxins, helps to strengthen the bones, etc. It is even good for someone who is maintaining a diet, or weight loss journey. Its skin is soft and very thin to peel.

Mandarin is rare to found, all over the world. It is mostly availed in the regions where it is mostly cultivated. They are exported to the regions where it is not found.

It has a flat structure and uneven texture, and hence Mandarin can be differentiated by this quality itself.

It has some other nutritional benefits. Mandarin is highly recommended for Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B3, and Vitamin B6.

Also, Mandarins are rich in calories, fats, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber at the same time but in limited. Mandarin provides a lot of nutrients, helps to increase bone strengthening, removes toxins from the body.

Main Differences Between Sweet Orange and Mandarin

1. Sweet oranges are minimal sweet. On the other hand, if you love sweet taste then you will love Mandarin.
2. The family branch to which the Sweet oranges belong is Citrus Sinensis. On the other hand, Mandarin falls under the Citrus Reticuata.
3. The size of Sweet oranges is comparatively bigger. On the other hand, Mandarin is smaller.
4. The tangy and sweet taste can be experienced while eating Sweet oranges. On the other hand, Mandarins are only sweeter.
5. Some regions where sweet oranges are massive grown are Southern United States, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean region. On the other hand, the Philippines grows a lot of mandarins.

References

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/ng.2472
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969806X02004802

Last Updated : 20 July, 2023