Copius
Mandarin, drawn for Copius

Mandarin

Mandarine

Latin nameCitrus reticulata
FamilyFruits
OriginSouthern China
Season (France)November – February
FlavourSweet · Citrusy · Floral · Fruity
Typical price (France)3–5 €/kg

What it is

One of the three ancestral citrus species — nearly every orange, lemon and grapefruit on Earth descends from crosses between the mandarin, the pomelo and the citron. It is a parent, not a variety.

In the kitchen

The loose skin is the giveaway of ripeness and the best part of it. Dry the peel and keep it — it is a spice in Chinese cooking.

Goes with

Dark chocolate Cinnamon Star anise Honey Almond Vanilla Duck Ginger

Same species

Bergamot Candied citron Chenpi Citron Menton lemon Makrut lime

Also used with

Sunflower lecithin

In season alongside

Blood orange Cherimoya Meyer lemon Clementine Lychee Buddha's hand

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