Tangerines are firmer still, and are the hardest to peel – but according to Stefan the reward is that they have a much richer, sweeter flavour than the others.

Stefan said: “Satsumas are softer in texture, easier to peel as they have a looser skin and have a lighter citrus flavour, whereas clementines are firmer, relatively easy to peel and have a sweeter flavour than satsumas.” (Gettyimages) Of these different types of mandarin, it is satsumas, clementines and tangerines that are most popular around Christmas. It’s a category that includes several species and a whole bunch of hybrids of citrus fruits. Mandarins are a type of orange, explains Stefan De Cristoforo, Waitrose’s technical manager for fresh produce.

Whether they’re placed in a decorative bowl or stuffed in a stocking, oranges are a staple part of Christmas.īut is it a clementine, a tangerine, a mandarin or perhaps a satsuma in the toe of your Christmas stocking? What’s the difference? And why they are associated with the festive season in the first place?

Clementine v tangerine v mandarin