It's easier to palm the fruit in your hand, even if your hands are small. Mandarins tend to be smaller in size than most Navel oranges - especially at the grocery store where large fruit is preferred. Kids can do it themselves, which is a huge plus for parents. It's a lot easier to get your finger into to get the fruit started. Since the peel is thinner it is easier to peel. The peel on a mandarin is much thinner than a Navel orange. I think there are three main reasons why people find these fruits to be easier to peel. I am going to use the word 'mandarin' as that is the term I have come to prefer. Most grocery stores can seem to make up their minds. The terms mandarins and tangerines are often used interchangeable.

Most people refer to Halos, Cuties, and any non-brand named mandarin has an orange, even though technically they are different type of citrus - they are mandarins. Why are Halos and Cuties So Easy to Peel?įirst, you have to ask the question, what are they easy to peel in comparison too? I think whatever is thinking of is the Navel orange. Of course there are those that may not have the dexterity to do it for one reason or another.īut why are these mandarins easy to peel.

We don't have the time to peel our oranges or the patience. The reason why these brands are so popular besides just clever marketing is that because these smiley faced fruits are easy to peel mandarins. I have been thrilled to inform people what these fruits really are with the hope that they won't let the terms Halos and/or Cuties become the next Kleenex (they are facial tissues!). My What is the Difference Between Cuties and Halos post has been my most popular post during the winter months ever since I wrote it.

When something works on a food blog, the writer is bound to go to the well again.

Summer cuties mandarins