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Both ponkan and tangerine are tangerines, with very similar flavor, aroma and appearance. However, the two varieties have important differences. “The main one is that tangerine comes from the Citrus delicious plant, while ponkan originates from the Citrus reticulata species, from which most other types of tangerines also come,” says agronomist Ygor da Silva Coelho, from the Brazilian Research Company. Agriculture (Embrapa), from Cruz das Almas (BA). Experts also point out another distinction: tangerine has much more essential oils in its skin – substances that leave that strong and acidic smell when the fruit is peeled – than ponkan. Another source of confusion is the different names that gossip is given across the country. “In Rio Grande do Sul, it is called bergamot.
In other regions, the name changes to mimosa, but the fruit is always the same”, says biologist Rose Mary Pio, from the Campinas Agronomic Institute (IAC). Like most citrus fruits, the tangerine probably originated in Asia, in the region where countries like India, China, Burma and Malaysia are located today. From there it was taken to North Africa and made its way to southern Europe during the Middle Ages. In Brazil, the first reference to the tangerine appears in the writings of Father Manuel Aires de Casal, in 1817. The fruit soon adapted to the climate of the country, which today is the fourth largest producer of tangerines in the world – the first three are China, Spain and Japan. Lucky for Brazilians, who can enjoy all the nutritional benefits of this fruit. “Like orange, lemon and other citrus fruits, tangerine and ponkan are also very rich in vitamin C. Another added advantage is that the segments have a lot of fiber. Because of this, the consumption of these varieties helps with digestion”, says Rose.
family buds Although similar, each fruit has a distinct flavor and aroma.
PONKAN TANGERINE
Most tangerines come from the CitCitrus reticulatarus reticulata species, but each variety has its own size, aroma and flavor. In Brazil, the most famous variety is ponkan, which tastes sweeter compared to other tangerines. Another popular type is the clove tangerine, which ripens before the ponkan and produces more acidic fruits. As the fruit needs a mild climate to grow, the main plantations are in the South and Southeast regions.
TANGERINE
It looks a lot like ponkan, but it comes from a different plant, Citrus oliva, which bears smaller and slightly more acidic fruits than the ponkan tree. Another distinction is that tangerine adapts well to tropical climates and grows throughout the country. Currently, the most cultivated type is the gossip of the river. Its essential oils – substances that give the bark that peculiar smell – serve as a juice aroma in the industry.
MURCOTT
This hybrid fruit, born from the crossing of tangerine and orange, is also called murcote or morgote in Brazilian supermarkets. Compared to tangerines and tangerines, murcott has more seeds and tastes closer to orange. Another distinction is that its shell does not come off as easily. In industry, the fruit is the main raw material for tangerine ice cream.