A clementine is a hybrid between a mandarin and a sweet orange, so named in 1902. The exterior is a deep orange colour with a smooth, glossy appearance. Clementines can be separated into 7 to 14 segments. They tend to be very easy to peel, like a tangerine, but are almost always seedless when grown commercially. For this reason they are sometimes known as seedless tangerines; the clementine is also occasionally referred to as the Algerian tangerine.
They are typically juicy and sweet, with less acid than oranges. Their oils, like other citrus fruits, contain mostly limonene as well as myrcene, linalool, a-pinene and many complex aromatics. It is called Santra in India.
The clementine is not always easy to distinguish from varieties of mandarin oranges. As such, it should not be confused with similar fruit such as the satsuma or honey sweet orange, or other popular varieties.
This variety was introduced into California commercial agriculture in 1914, though it was grown at the Citrus Research Center as early as 1909. Clementines, usually grown in Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Italy, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey, have been available in Europe for many years.
Clementines lose their desirable seedless characteristic when they are cross-pollinated with other fruit. To prevent this, in 2006 growers such as Paramount Citrus in California threatened to sue local beekeepers to keep bees away from their crops.
Nutritional Value of Clementines: Though they are diminutive, the juicy and scrumptious Clementine holds high nutritious values. Clementines are crammed with vitamin C and have been found to satisfy almost 100% of one’s daily requirement of vitamin C.
In addition, they’re also an excellent source of various other essential vitamins and minerals. A standard 100 gm serving of clementine replenishes your system with remarkable amounts of B vitamins, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Copper and several other essential nutrients.
Free Radical Damage Prevention: Being a source of numerous potent antioxidants like limonene linalool, α-pinene, α-terpineol, β-pinene and myrcene, clementine protects the human body against free radical damage. Produced during metabolic reactions, these free radicals may result in severe ailments like cancers if left untreated.
Rich in Vitamin C: Like its other family members, the clementine also happens to be rich in vitamin C, a vitamin that should be taken externally as the human body can’t produce it inside. Regular consumption of clementine fills your body with vitamin C, thus keeping various diseases such as high blood pressure and hardening of arteries etc. at bay. Additionally, vitamin C is also known to play a role in boosting the human immune system and fighting cardiovascular disorders.
Smoothly Functioning Digestive System: Clementines contain high concentrations of dietary fibers which ensure the smooth functioning of your digestive system and work to prevent digestion-related disorders like constipation.
Assists Weight Loss: Clementines help you a lot with the task of shedding extra pounds as they contain very low quantities of fats and calories. Furthermore, thanks to being succulent, they suffice the stomach when you are hungry, thus helping you to quickly reduce excessive weight.
Healthier Vision: Decent amounts of beta carotene and ascorbic acid present in clementine makes it a vision-benefiting fruit. Researchers have shown that regular intake of these substances play a role in preventing age-related vision loss. Moreover, it also contains folic acid that is necessary for the production of RBC and anemia prevention.
Stress Relief: The aromatic smell of clementine triggers the secretion of a substance, a neurotransmitter within the brain which relieves stress and helps your body and mind to feel refreshed and energetic.
Skincare Benefits: Clementines are also highly beneficial for the human skin. As mentioned above, the clementine contains high amount of citric acid and vitamin C; hence it helps in eliminating blemish-causing bacteria and boosts the production of collagen, thus rendering you a crystal-clear, healthy skin.
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