How to Know When a Tangerine Is Ripe

Tangerine fans have no shortage of praise for the small citrus fruit. "The peel falls off and what's revealed inside is like baby's toes -- tiny segments, and they're perfect and clean," is how grower Jim Churchill summed up tangerines to the San Francisco Chronicle. Tangerines, also called mandarins, are among the easiest citrus to peel, making them less messy than an orange, for example. They're also a source of vitamin C and fiber. Tangerines do not ripen once picked, so knowing the characteristics of a ripe tangerine is key to enjoying the tangy, juicy fruit.

Instructions

- 1
  Look for tangerines that are bright orange with very few, if any, green patches. The all-around orange color usually is a sign the fruit had time to ripen properly on the tree.
- 2
  Squeeze several tangerines gently for comparison. Pick the tangerines that feel plump and juicy, both signs of ripeness. Avoid tangerines that feel hollow or dried because these are signs that the fruit didn't fully ripen on the tree. Use the same size tangerines for the best comparison.
- 3
  Feel the skin of the tangerine. It should be slightly loose. The looseness is a sign of ripeness and gives the tangerine its reputation as an easy-to-peel fruit.
- 4
  Buy a single tangerine for a taste test. If it tastes juicy and sweet, it's ripe. Return to the display and select tangerines that were nearby because they most likely came from the same shipment.
- 5
  Avoid any tangerines that have brown spots or mushy soft spots. These tangerines are likely over-ripened.

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