There is no fruit that has more Chinese New Year symbolism tied to it than the mandarin orange, especially in Asian culture. During the Lunar New Year this fruit is sold and exchanged from household to household in massive quantities. It is also a fruit with many varieties, which can be confusing for new buyers. Here is a brief mandarin orange guide to inform you on it’s varieties and which you should get this Chinese New Year.
In China, it is common to give oranges in sets of even numbers, as odd numbers are seen as unlucky. The oranges are a symbol of good fortune because when spoken in Cantonese, the pronunciation of orange (柑 ‘kam’) sound very much like gold (金) . This tradition has spread from China to many parts of Southeast Asia, Malaysia included. Mandarin oranges are also imported from countries like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Exchanging gifts and snacks between family members are an important reminder of strong bonds. And, to put it simply, it is a token of appreciation to family and loved for helping each other out throughout the past year. So remember to gift the right type of mandarin orange based on your receiver’s eating habits.
A mandarin orange guide: Which types should you get this Chinese New Year?
Ponkan
Ponkan’s are the most popular mandarin orange sold on the markets. Mainly due to it’s juicy flesh and plump size, which makes it ideal for sharing. They have a wrinkly thick skin that peels easily. A fun game often played when eating these types is to peel off the orange peel in one piece.
Lukan
Lukan oranges have smoother skin with a fragrant zest. Fully ripe ones have a strong acidity and can be very sweet, however they are not ideal for cooking for their mild flavour.
Dekopon
Dekopon’s are highly valued mixed breeds between other variants of the mandarin orange. Commonly found in Japan, they are distinguished for their ‘nipple-shaped’ tops. The fruits have a unique flavour that is sugary and juicy, which is why dekopon soft drinks are widely sold in Japan and South Korea.
Honey Murcott
Despite their name, Honey Murcott’s may not be as sweet as honey. These species are grown in Australia or China, known for their big size. They have thin sticky skin and contain few seeds, without being to sweet or acidic some have described their taste as mediocre.
Tangerine
Tangerine’s originate from North Africa and are usually visually distinguished by leaving their green leaf stems. Featuring glossy skin, a smaller size, and a seedless fruit, they are more commonly sold in the West. Their high sweetness have made them an ideal ingredient in baking cakes and cookies.
Swatow
Swatow’s are often overlooked among the other mandarin oranges for their lack of sweetness. However, what they lack in flavour they make up for in longevity as they can be kept for two or three weeks. These oranges have a thicker skin and chewier flesh with many seeds.
Kinno
Originating from India and Pakistan, Kinno oranges have a lot of big seeds. However, their seeds are matched up with an intense sweetness and a fully flavoured flesh. Because of their strong flavours they are commonly used in cocktails and pastries.
Mikan
Most popularly known as the mandarin oranges of Jeju Island, these smaller fruits are lightly sweet, juicy, and seedless. Due to their floral taste they are highly valued in Japan and South Korea and often come imported into Malaysia with a hefty price tag.
Mandelo
The Mandelo is a cross between a mandarin orange and a pomelo. Originating from the United States, these large citrus hybrids are very sweet and come with a lot of seeds. Because of it’s use in bittersweetness it is nicknamed the ‘cocktail grapefruit’. This breed of oranges are hard to come by in Malaysia and are considered a rare indulgence.
(Hero image credit: Unsplash/Naveen Varghase / Feature image credit: Unsplash/Sravudh Snidvongs)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.