Tangerines are a subgroup of mandarin, while oranges are a hybrid of the pomelo and mandarin fruits. However, most oranges are in their prime from November through March. Peak orange season varies based on the variety. Given their low acid concentration, these oranges are predominantly eaten and not used to make juice.

Acidless or sweet: This class of orange has very low levels of acid.The rind can sometimes possess darker red spots as well.

Blood or pigmented: With high concentrations of anthocyanin, a type of antioxidant pigment, blood oranges have a dark red flesh.

Cara cara is a popular type of navel orange.

Navel: Arguably the most common class of orange, this type actually grows a second fruit at the base which resembles a human belly button.

The majority of oranges in this class are used for juice production.

Common or round: There are numerous varieties of common oranges, including Valencia, Hamlin and Gardner.

They can be divided into four classes, each with identifying characteristics: There are many different varieties of oranges. Interestingly, oranges are hybrids of two fruits: pomelo and mandarin. They are the fruit of the Citrus x sinensis species and are also members of the citrus family ( 3). Today, the vast majority of oranges are produced in Florida and Sao Paulo, Brazil ( 2). Oranges originated many years ago in Asia, most likely in Southern China and Indonesia. Tangerines are typically in their prime from late October through January. Most commonly, mandarins that are reddish-orange and brightly colored tend to be labeled as tangerines. However, from a botanic standpoint, tangerines refer to a subgroup of mandarins. Tangerines are often labeled as mandarins, or vice versa, especially in the United States ( 1). Like oranges, tangerines are members of the citrus family, but they are the fruit of the C. In the 1800s, they received the name “tangerine” because they were imported through the city of Tangier in Morocco. Tangerines were first grown in Palatka, Florida. They may look alike, but they are actually two different species of fruit with separate origins and varieties. Tangerines and oranges have similar qualities because they are members of the same family.

Tangerines vs oranges