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Santang oranges are very small in size and are oblate to oval and slightly flattened in shape. The smooth, glossy rind is pebbled and pocked with many prominent oil glands and ripens from green to bright orange. The rind also clings loosely to the flesh, making it easy-to-peel, and the flesh is soft, juicy, and divided into 8-10 segments by thin membranes. Santang oranges contain little to no seeds and have a very sweet, mildly tart flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Santang oranges are available in the late fall through early spring in Asia and Southeast Asia.
Current Facts
Santang oranges are very small fruits that grow on evergreen trees, reaching only 50-80 centimeters in height and are members of the Rutaceae family. Also known as Santang Madu, Jeruk Santang, and Santang Honey oranges, Santang oranges are native to China and have recently become popular in Indonesia as a specialty fruit and home garden variety. The small trees are easily grown in containers and bear many fruits throughout the season. Used as an ornamental adding bright colors to gardens and as a healthy snack food, Santang oranges are favored for their sweet flavor and small size, with some fruits being able to be consumed in one bite.
Nutritional Value
Santang oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and also contain beta-carotene, fiber, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Applications
Santang oranges are best suited for raw applications as their sweet flavor and miniature size are showcased when consumed fresh, out-of-hand. The fruits can be peeled and consumed whole, or they can be divided into tiny segments. In addition to eating fresh, the sweet orange may also be tossed into leafy green salads, stirred into fruit salads, or chopped into salsa. Santang oranges can also be layered on sandwiches, wrapped into fresh spring rolls, sprinkled into stir-fries, noodle dishes, and tacos, or served over desserts such as crisps, ice cream, compotes, and parfaits. Santang oranges pair well with avocado, bell peppers, red onions, green onions, edamame, carrots, red cabbage, strawberries, sliced almonds, peanuts, and walnuts. The small fruits will keep up to one week when stored at room temperature and for 2-3 weeks when stored in a bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Santang oranges are a popular variety given as gifts to friends and family during the Chinese New Year and are favored for their small, novel size, sweet flavor, and uniform shape. Oranges, tangerines, and mandarins represent gold, good luck, and fortune due to the word’s similarity in sounds to one another in the Chinese language, and the fruits are used as decorations during the celebrations. Many restaurants will line their front doors with small orange trees to bring prosperity, and single fruits with a branch and leaves still attached are often used as a bow on top of gifts. Whole trees are also given as gifts and are traditionally offered with both hands as a sign of respect.
Geography/History
Santang oranges are native to China, but the exact dates and recorded history are unknown. Today the oranges are still cultivated in China and are also sold in commercial markets and grown in home gardens in Southeast Asia including Indonesia and Malaysia.
Jeruk Santang oranges are small, oblate to oval fruits, with a smooth, glossy rind that turns bright orange when ripe. The rind clings loosely to the flesh, making it easy to peel, while the juicy flesh is divided into 8-10 segments by thin membranes. These oranges are typically seedless and boast a sweet taste balanced with a mild tartness, making them a delightful choice for snacks or desserts.
Santang oranges are a delight because of their sweet flavor and miniature size, perfect for enjoying fresh or adding to dishes. They can complement salads, salsas, spring rolls, stir-fries, tacos, and desserts like parfaits or ice cream. These small fruits pair well with ingredients like avocado, red cabbage, and peanuts. They can last up to one week at room temperature or 2-3 weeks refrigerated in a bag.
Jeruk Santang: These small oranges, also known as Santang Honey oranges, are native to China but have gained popularity in Indonesia. They grow on compact evergreen trees just 50-80 cm tall, making them ideal for home gardens or containers. With their vibrant color and sweet, bite-sized taste, Jeruk Santang is both ornamental and a nutritious snack, providing vitamin C, beta-carotene, fiber, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Jeruk Santang oranges are native to China, where they have been cultivated for centuries. They continue to be popularly grown in China and have also spread to Southeast Asia, where they are cultivated both commercially and in home gardens across countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Santang oranges are frequently exchanged during Chinese New Year as symbols of gold, good luck, and fortune, thanks to their linguistic resemblance in Chinese. Known for their small size and sweet taste, these oranges are often used as decorative elements, and restaurants may display orange trees to attract prosperity. Offering whole orange trees with both hands is seen as an act of respect.
Orange Santang at BSD City market Jakarta Indonesia…The Santang orange is known for its small, oval-to-oblate shape and its vibrant, easy-to-peel rind that transitions from green to bright orange as it ripens. With its juicy, soft flesh divided into 8-10 segments, this citrus variety is admired for its sweet and mildly tart flavor. Additionally, it often contains very few or no seeds, adding to its appeal as a convenient and delicious fruit.
Santang oranges are perfect for fresh eating due to their sweet flavor and tiny size. They can also be added to salads, salsas, sandwiches, spring rolls, stir-fries, noodles, tacos, or desserts like parfaits and ice cream. These oranges pair well with ingredients like avocado, bell peppers, peanuts, and strawberries. They stay fresh for about a week at room temperature or up to 3 weeks refrigerated in a bag.
Jeruk Shantang: These small, sweet oranges, also called Santang Honey oranges, are native to China and have gained popularity in Indonesia as both a snack and ornamental plant. They grow on compact evergreen trees that reach only 50-80 centimeters and are perfect for container gardening. They're packed with nutrients like vitamin C, beta-carotene, fiber, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Jeruk Baby Santang, also known as Santang oranges, are native to China and have been cultivated there for centuries. Though the exact historical dates are unclear, these oranges have expanded their reach and are now grown in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Known for thriving in both commercial markets and home gardens, they demonstrate their adaptability and popularity across regions.
Santang oranges symbolize good luck and fortune during Chinese New Year due to their auspicious connotations in the Chinese language. Their sweet flavor, small size, and uniform shape make them ideal gifts. Restaurants often place orange trees at entrances for prosperity, and single fruits with leaves are used decoratively on gifts. Giving whole orange trees with both hands signifies respect and well-wishing during the celebrations.
