Mandarin
Citrus reticulata Blanco
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is a citrus tree; its small, thin-skinned fruit peels easily and holds sweet, juicy segments — mainly eaten fresh and especially popular at Lunar New Year.
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Mandarin fruitOverview
Mandarin is a small evergreen tree 3–6 m tall with an open crown, slender almost thornless branches and small lance-shaped leaves on narrow stalks. Small white flowers are fragrant. The fruit is flattened-spherical, 4–7 cm across, with thin orange or green-yellow easy-peeling skin and 8–12 juicy sweet segments with small seeds. Grafted trees fruit in 2–3 years.
Mandarin originated in Southeast Asia and China and is grown widely across Asia; in Vietnam it is cultivated in Lai Vung (Đồng Tháp), Mộc Châu, Hà Giang and Bắc Kạn. The fruit is eaten fresh, juiced and made into jam and candied peel; thanks to its bright colour and auspicious name it is an indispensable Lunar New Year plant. The peel yields essential oil.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- China35%
- Vietnam20%
- Others45%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Vitamin CImmune support40%
- Peel essential oilAroma30%
- FlavonoidsAntioxidant30%
Uses
- Eaten fresh and juiced
- Mandarin jam and candied peel
- Lunar New Year plant; peel oil
Properties
- Taste
- Sweet, aromatic, easy to peel
- Value
- Rich in vitamin C and flavonoids
Habitat & conservation
Cool subtropical to tropical, sunny; well-drained soil.
Conservation
Widely cultivated; not threatened.
References
- 1Kew Science – Plants of the World Online: Citrus reticulata — Kew (Plants of the World Online), 2026
- 2Wikipedia – Mandarin orange — Wikipedia, 2026