Tangerine and mandarin are citrus fruits that appear so alike. They have their differences though.
| Tangerine | Mandarin | |
| Where is came from | Europe | China |
| Where the name was taken from | Port of Tangier, Morocco | “Mandarin” denoting Chinese official |
| Hue | Dark reddish orange skin | Light orange |
| Skin | Thicker with bumps | Thin and smooth |
| Spoilage | Easily spoilt | Last longer |
| Largest producer | China | China |
| Largest exporter | Spain | Spain |
Tangerine is a type of citrus fruit that originated from morocco and is exported through the port known as Tangier which is why it bears the name tangerine. They are orange in color and are smaller in size than other types of oranges. When ripe, it is very easy to peel by hand with a thin peel. The mesocarp is not very bitter as other oranges. They have fine grooves.
Mandarin is a citrus fruit that originated from china. Just like tangerines, they are orange in color. When ripe, they are easy to peel by hand with a thin peel. The mesocarp is also not very bitter as other oranges. They have deep grooves.
Technically, tangerines are a type of mandarins. The difference is that tangerines appear a little darker and reddish orange as compared to mandarins that are light orange in color. The skin of tangerines when touched is thicker and a feeling of bumps is felt; that of mandarin is smoother and a thinner coat.
