![pixie mandarin pixie mandarin](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2009/studyofalter.jpg)
A connoisseur’s favorite, but a commercial flop. Size medium-large, shape variable rind deep orange, often bumpy, wrinkled, peels easily pulp orange, flavor excellent, but tart until fully mature fairly seedy late season. Owari satsuma x King mandarin, Riverside 1935. Name can refer to three varieties, often confused: 1) Murcott, a seedy, very sweet late-season tangor, originated Florida 1913, commercially important there 2) California Honey, (King tangor x Willowleaf), described 1943, but never officially released 3) Kinnow (marketed as Honey by Sunkist), King x Willowleaf, Riverside 1935, large, oblate, rind yellow-orange, peels poorly, good flavor, seedy, midseason. Despite Gold Nugget’s fine flavor, seedlessness and lateness, growers aren’t rushing to plant it because of its relatively pale, coarse rind and reputation for alternate bearing. Medium, oblate to round rind golden orange, moderately pebbly flesh orange, rich-flavored seedless mid to late season, holds well on tree. Wilking (Willowleaf x King tangor) x Kincy (King tangor x Dancy), Riverside 1999. The classic Christmas “tangerine,” once widely grown in Florida, now mostly replaced by Sunburst. Medium, oblate or necked rind dark orange-red, smooth, thin, peels easily pulp deep orange, with rich, spicy flavor fruit has distinctive rind oil aroma seedy early midseason, holds poorly. Old Florida variety, originated from a seedling planted in 1867. Most important mandarin in the Mediterranean imports from Spain to the U.S.
![pixie mandarin pixie mandarin](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b6/12/4a/b6124a4bbb61cb866945c9697b2b960a.jpg)
Medium-small to medium rind deep orange to red-orange, smooth, glossy, peels easily flesh tender, flavor mild to rich, depending on variety and maturity Algerian seedy new varieties mostly seedless when not cross-pollinated early to early midseason. Algerian variety introduced to California 1914. A group name, embracing many varieties parentage mostly mandarin with some sweet orange may have originated in North Africa in late 19th century. However, mandarins mature earliest in the desert, later in the Central Valley and much later in coastal areas.Ĭlementine (Algerian). Early season generally means October to December, midseason January and February, and late season March to August. Since lineages are complicated, we’ve included each variety’s direct parentage (King tangor x Willowleaf, for example, means that fruit is a cross between a King tangor and a Willowleaf mandarin). Let us know by leaving a comment below.Here are some of the most common or most important mandarin varieties. What varieties of California mandarins have you tried? Where do you like to buy your mandarins. The best thing to buy in May are the Pixies and Gold Nuggets. As stone fruit starts rolling into store, the mandarins will begin to disappear. We are fortunate to have such great fruit at the end of the season.įinal month of California mandarin season. Gold Nuggets are now at their peak, you can find the best ones under the Dimples name. I love Shasta Gold for it's sweet pineapple like flavor. The last season varieties are now ready to go. Sumos will be wrapping up for the season by now. Murcotts should be better now (the ones I had at the same citrus grove were the best I ever ate and I did so in late March). The only good Pixie come from Ojai's unique micro-climate. One of the few mandarin varieties that I find have great flavor even when they first hit the market for the year is the Pixies from Ojai, California. Let me go on to break down each month of the season so you can see what's available. Seven months of the year you can enjoy easy to peel fruit - from Clemtines to Pixies. When Does California Mandarins Season Begin (and End)?ĭue to the development of new varieties over the year, the California mandarin season starts in November and can stretch all the way into May, with a few hanging around into June. More and more of them are in stores than every before, including more varieties. If any fruit has been gaining momentum over the 6 year history of my blog and it is the mandarin. But this time I am going to specific talk about just the California mandarin season.
![pixie mandarin pixie mandarin](https://thebluedish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pixie-Tangerine-Sherbert-B-1024x683.jpg)
Now I feel like have so much more information that I needed to do a follow-up. That is certainly the case when it comes to mandarins. Sometimes when I read some of these older posts, I shake my head, whether it be at the photo quality or lack therefore or my writing skills, or both! Sometimes I read something and realizing how much more I have learned since that post was written. Now that I have been doing this blog thing for over 6 years, I have plenty of archives to go back and read.