Clementine lovers want to know when clementines are in season. Well, clementines are usually harvested from late October through February. Thus, you’ll see them in stores to buy by spring time. So to the question of “when are clementines in season?” the answer is they mature in late fall, are harvested between late October and February, and are in stores by spring time. Clementines are thus regarded as a winter fruit, though they can be enjoyed year round.
When are Clementines in Season
Clementines need to ripen on the trees because they do not continue to ripen once you cut them from the branches. The clementine flowers grow in late spring and they mature in late fall, thus harvest time is from late October through February. Clementines are green until they become full sized and mature, which at this time they turn orange. It is possible to eat clementines while they are still green but they will not taste sweet and juicy until they mature and are orange in color.
How to Store Clementines
Clementines, after they are removed from the tree, needs to be store at room temperature out of direct sunlight, or they need to be sealed in plastic and stored at refrigeration temperature for up to two weeks. They reason for storing them this way is because clementines spoil quickly after they are cut from the branches.
Clementine Facts
Clementines are actually the smallest of the mandarin-orange family. They are actually a hybrid between a mandarin and sweet orange. They are seedless and about two inches in diameter. They were first introduced to the United States from Africa and Spain in 1882. About 83,000 metric tons of clementines are imported from Spain each year.
These fruits are pretty low in calories, about 35 calories per clementine. They are a rich source of Vitamin C, as is the case for most oranges, and are also rich in other nutrients like Vitamin B-6, potassium, thiamin, and folate.
Shopping for Clementines
When you are picking clementines in the stores, make sure the skin is bright and shiny to ensure you are getting a fresh, ripe clementine. Keep them out of sunlight at room temperature, or leave them in the fridge for up to a week. Clementines are not really expensive. You can usually buy them in bunches in bags, or in small boxes or crates.
Great Nutritious Snacks
Seedless and easy to peel, clementines are ideal nutritious snack food for the entire family. They are much preferred over those unhealthy candy bars with their processed sugars. Pack them in your kids’ lunch or leave them in the kitchen for a quick pick-up snack when your kids run by. You can add this fruit to salads and desserts to spruce things up. If you’re a cook, you can really incorporate clementines into your recipes, since they are known for their sweet and tart tastes.
Now that you know when clementines are in season, go out and buy some of this sweet delicious fruit and enjoy.
