What winter would be without tangerines? Bright, fragrant "little suns" give people a sense of celebration. Both adults and children love them.
But to choose quality fruits, you need to know a few secrets. So, what should you pay attention to first when buying tangerines?
Package
Preference should be given to products sold by weight rather than prepackaged ones. This way, there is a greater chance of avoiding defects, because each tangerine can be twisted in your hands and examined carefully.
Form
According to many buyers, round fruits taste better than flat ones.
Coloring
Quality tangerines have a uniform, rich peel color without green inclusions. It is believed that the sweetest fruits have a bright orange color.
Size
Yes, it matters too. Experts advise buying medium-sized citrus fruits.
Weight
Here you need to remember that ripe tangerines are juicier than their unripe counterparts, which is why they are heavier.
Elasticity
A quality specimen is elastic to the touch, and quickly returns to its original state after pressing. If the dent does not appear, the fruit is not ripe. If it does not disappear, it is already overripe.
Smell
Ripe fruits have a characteristic fresh aroma. No pleasant citrus smell? Then the tangerines are most likely not ripe.
Peel
The fruit skin should be clean, whole, without spots, stains, scratches, mold, not dried out or softened. And easily separated from the pulp.
Leaves
The presence of leaves is not a sign of freshness, it is just a marketing ploy.
Shine
An attractive glossy shine is not an indicator of the quality of tangerines. It only indicates that the fruits have been treated with wax for better storage. Of course, you can buy "varnished" citrus fruits, but they must be thoroughly washed with warm water before use.
For reference
Mandarin is the fruit of the mandarin tree or shrub.
