Mandarin (නාරං)

The mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), also known as the mandarin or mandarine, is a small citrus tree with fruit resembling other oranges, usually eaten plain or in fruit salads.The tangerine is a group of orange-colored citrus fruit consisting of hybrids of mandarin oranges.

Mandarins are smaller and oblate, rather than spherical, like the common oranges (which are a mandarin hybrid). The taste is considered less sour, as well as sweeter and stronger. A ripe mandarin is firm to slightly soft, heavy for its size, and pebbly-skinned. The peel is thin, with little white mesocarp, so they are usually easier to peel and to split into segments. Hybrids generally have these traits to a lesser degree. The mandarin is tender and is damaged easily by cold. It can be grown in tropical and subtropical areas.

According to genetic studies, the mandarin was one of the original citrus species; through breeding or natural hybridization, it is the ancestor of many hybrid citrus cultivars. With the citron and pomelo, it is the ancestor of the most commercially important hybrids (such as sweet and sour oranges, grapefruit, and lemons and limes). The mandarin has also been hybridized with other citrus species, such as the desert lime and kumquats. Though the ancestral mandarin was bitter, most commercial mandarin strains derive from hybridization with pomelo, which gave them a sweet fruit.

Flower : The flowers are borne singly or in small groups in the leaf-axils.

Fruit : Mandarin orange fruits are small 4–8 centimetres (1.6–3.1 in).[1] Their color is orange, orange-yellow, or orange-red.

Height : 25 feet (7.6 m) in height

Leaves : The leaves are shiny and green, rather small

Uses : Mandarins are generally peeled and eaten fresh or used in salads, desserts and main dishes.Fresh mandarin juice and frozen juice concentrate are commonly available in the United States. The number of seeds in each segment (carpel) varies greatly.

The peel is used fresh, whole or zested, or dried as chenpi. It can be used as a spice for cooking, baking, drinks, or candy. Essential oil from the fresh peel may be used as a flavoring for candy, gelatins, ice cream, chewing gum, and baked goods. It is also used as a flavoring in liqueurs.