Difference between pixie orange and tangerines

Every now and then, we get lots of queries from our readers and fruit seedling buyers on the difference between pixie orange and tangerines. On this article we highlight main difference between pixie orange and tangerines.

Pixie orange and tangerines are citrus fruits that are the primary source of vitamin C and have many health benefits. People tend to be confused between the two.

This is because they are very similar in size and color. They differ in the nutritional content that each of the fruits holds. Despite all the differences, they belong to the same category of fruits.

Pixie orange and tangerines are similar but they have more differences than most people do recognize. At a first glance, it is not difficult to get pixie oranges and tangerines confused. Children, as well as some adults, can think the pixie orange is a tangerine or vice versa. Pixie orange and tangerines are one of the most consumed fruits throughout the world.

Oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are all important crops from the genus citrus in the flowering rue family, Rutaceae. Collectively known as citrus, these fruits have brought about the rise of their own industry in Kenya. Of the many citrus varieties pixie orange, washington orange, valencia orange, mineola, Pomelo, and Mandarin are the most significant as they are the parents of most citrus cultivars and hybrids that we enjoy.

Physical Differences: What makes pixie orange and tangerine different from one another?

The main distinction between pixie orange and tangerine is size. Tangerines are smaller, less round, and a little bit flat than orange in appearance. They have a more reddish-orange color. Tangerines are said to be much sweeter than regular oranges. Ripe tangerines are softer to touch, whereas pixie oranges are a bit firm and heavy when they ripe.  Both pixie orange and tangerines can be seedless. The rinds of both pixie orange and tangerines are thin. However, pixie oranges have tighter rind which makes them a little difficult to peel.

On the other hand, tangerines generally have loose and thin skin that comes off quickly. Also, many tangerines are known for their zipper skin, meaning only a small tear can make the whole skin come off easily.

Flavor of pixie orange and tangerines

Pixie oranges in general are sweet with a refreshing tart flavor. They are sweeter than the other cultivar of oranges. Pixie Orange are also more acidic having a 2.4-3 pH value.

Tangerines on the other hand are even sweeter than oranges, less acidic, have a shorter aftertaste, and are more flavorful.

Nutritional Distinctions  of pixie orange and tangerines

When it comes to the nutritional values of pixie orange and tangerines, they both share very similar profiles except for some of the few things.

A Tangerine has 85% water content with about 4gm of carbs and almost no fat. Similarly, pixie orange has a slightly high water content about 87% with about 4gm of carbs and no fat. One of the notable differences between the two is that pixie orange has almost double the content of Vitamin C. A whole pixie orange provides you with 89% of your daily value, whereas a whole tangerine only leaves you with 44% of it.

Pixie orange also has higher fiber content than tangerine, which makes them a good source of this beneficial carbohydrate. Pixie oranges also have higher Vitamin A than tangerines.

Health Benefits Of Tangerines

Tangerines are a popular citrus fruit providing a sweet and tangy flavour. Apart from authentic flavour, tangerines provide several benefits. They are;

1. Effective for Good Eye Health

When considering the nutrient profile of tangerine vs. orange, tangerines have high Vitamin A content. With ageing, particularly above 60 years, one often undergoes macular degeneration. It is the main reason behind the loss of vision.

A sufficient amount of Vitamin A and C in tangerines helps delay vision loss. It even helps delay the early onset of macular degeneration that often causes vision loss. Moreover, the natural antioxidants keep the eye healthy.

2. Help Treat Skin Conditions

Vitamin C content in tangerine enhances collagen production, responsible for keeping the skin healthy. Studies show that Collagen is an abundant protein that provides stability, structure, and strength to connective tissues.

The collagen content in the body decreases with ageing. However, the Vitamin C content boosts collagen synthesis. Collagen helps enhance wound healing and even reduce ageing signs, like wrinkles.

Moreover, an ample amount of Vitamin A in tangerines helps treat various skin conditions including, pimples, blemishes, and acne. Vitamin A promotes the skin to rebuild the tissues, helping with the fine lines and dull skin.

3. Effective in Weight Loss

Tangerines help with your weight loss as it enhances the daily fibre intake. The insoluble fibre in tangerines does not ferment in the intestine, like lignin and cellulose. Such fibres keep you satiated for long, giving the feeling of fullness.

Research even shows that high fibre intake maintains body weight or prevents the body from regaining weight as compared to those who consume less fibrous foods.

4. Contains Antispasmodic Feature

Spasms have a negative impact and cause several health complications. It may affect the digestive system, respiratory system, and nervous system. Further, it may cause breathing problems, congestion, and even asthma. Tangerines provide an antispasmodic effect that relieves spasms, ensuring their effective functioning.

5. Help Make Bones Stronger

Vitamin C and potassium in tangerines help enhance bone density. It also helps fight against skin disease and arthritis.

6. Supports Heart Health

Some antioxidants in tangerines like nobiletin and tangeretin promote heart health. Vitamin C content helps reduce platelet aggregation and blood pressure. Hence, it helps lower bad cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels.

Further, it reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, a condition when plaque buildup causes the narrowing of arteries. It is one of the causes of stroke and heart attack.

7. Enhances Iron Absorption

Tangerines play an optimum role in enhancing iron absorption from food. Vitamin C content in tangerines along with iron from other food syncs up. As a result, it boosts the iron-absorbing capacity of the body.

Lack of iron makes one less energetic, causing one to feel tired, have paler skin or dark circles under the eyes. Consuming tangerine reduces iron deficiency in the body while enhancing its absorption.

8. Boosts Hair Growth

Vitamin B 12 in tangerines promotes hair growth and slows down the greying process. Consuming tangerines or using tangerine-based hair products would double your hair-nourishing efforts.

Health Benefits Of Pixie Oranges

Vitamin C content is the first thing that pops into our mind when we talk about tangerine vs. pixie orange benefits. However, many productive nutrients and antioxidants in pixie oranges provide tons of benefits. Here are a few benefits of consuming oranges:

1. Loaded With Gut and Health-oriented Fibre

A medium-sized orange offers around 3 grams of fibre, contributing to 12% of the daily fibre intake. Fibre present in oranges promotes digestive function. It has both soluble and insoluble fibres that help prevent irritable gut disorder. It even helps deal with constipation and other digestive disorders.

2. Help Lower Blood Pressure and Control Blood Sugar Level

Pixie Oranges contain magnesium and hesperidin that help control blood pressure. Moreover, it even has plenty of Vitamin B6 that promotes the production of haemoglobin.

The fibre content in oranges monitors glucose levels. It has a natural sugar called fructose that prevents the blood sugar level from hiking. Moreover, the GI or Glycemic Index of oranges is 40. The food falling under 50 GI contains low sugar.

However, low GI does not mean you consume too many oranges at a time. It may lead to a sudden spike in insulin. Moderate consumption would be ideal for retaining blood sugar levels.

3. Boosts Heart Health

Citrus fruits, like orange, lower the risk of heart disorder. But how’s that possible? It reduces the risk of ischaemic stroke in women. Some antioxidants like hesperidin and folate help keep the heart-healthy.

The citrus peels of oranges contain some compounds, like PMF or Polymethoxylated Flavones, that help brings down the cholesterol level. However, make sure you choose organic oranges that aren’t treated with pesticides.

4. Help Prevent Cancer

According to one of the studies of the American Journal of Epidemiology, giving orange or fresh orange juice in the starting two years decreases the risk of increasing childhood leukaemia.

Being an excellent source of Vitamin C, consuming orange helps combat the free radicals that cause cancer. D-limonene in oranges also helps limit the growth of cellular breakdown. Its regular consumption reduces the risk of skin, lung, colon, and breast cancer.

5. Rich in Antioxidants

Pixie Oranges have a high amount of antioxidants that prevent the growth of free radicals. Free radicals cause unwanted oxidation in the body. Further, these oxidative reactions lead to disease development and inflammatory disorders.

Moreover, oxidative stress causes an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to counterbalance the harmful effects. The flavonoids and polyphenols also help deal with viral infections.

6. Pixie Oranges Are Rich in Water

Approximately 70% of the human body contains water. Water is the basic necessity to ensure the proper functioning of the organs and organ system. A medium-sized orange provides approximately 4 ounces of water.

Moreover, women above 19 years require approximately 2.7 litres of fluid daily. Water-rich foods, like oranges, help contribute to this daily requirement. Appropriate fluid intake supports physical and mental energy, enhances circulation, ensures easy flushing out waste, and maximises metabolism.

Summing Up

Both pixie orange and tangerines have some similarities and differences. Both are citrus fruits and provide lots of benefits to the body.

Freshly squeeze them into a juice or consume them as a salad. There are many ways to enjoy both fruits. Both are a highly nutritious and healthy addition to one’s diet.

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