Apparently it’s “try new citrus fruit” week here at CliqueClack. Just a few days ago, Deb talked about her experiences with kumquats. Around the same time, I found myself in the supermarket, as I usually do at least three or four times per week. I had just finished off a really good crate of clementines and was hoping to nab another one, as the little oranges are great for packing with lunches. I was a little disappointed that the price had gone up on the clementines, and they didn’t look very good to boot.
I fell back to plan B and browsed the large fruit selection at my Whole Foods Market and saw something that caught my eye — the tangelo.
It attracted me because I saw that it was a hybrid between a grapefruit and a tangerine, two citrus fruits that I am particularly fond of (especially the grapefruit). The small sign also indicated that the skin was easy to remove. Perfect for lunches, just like clementines, I thought to myself. I ended up buying a few of them, not really knowing what to expect.
I couldn’t wait for lunch the next day to try one, so I ripped into it at home after shopping. What did it taste like? Pretty much like a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit. Go figure. It had the distinct tangerine flavor, along with some extra tangy sourness from the grapefruit. The fruit was really juicy, and indeed, it was relatively easy to peel.
I don’t think the tangelo can rate with a top notch clementine, but I would buy some more in a pinch.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Mar 03, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
i believe that it’s actually a cross between a tangerine and a pommelo — a lot of produce departments fudge and say grapefruit instead of Pommelo because they don’t sell (or don’t know about) pommelos. But as someone who looks forward to those few weeks each winter when I can buy pommelos, I tell you there is a difference (aside from size).
and congratulations on discovering tangelos — they are very nice when you can’t get clementines.
I’ve had a pommelo before, and have to say I prefer grapefruit. Though it may just have been a subpar pommelo, I should give it another shot. I had a Mineolla Tangelo, which is definitely a cross with a grapefruit, unless wikipedia lies… and it does sometimes.