Tangerines Cutie
Estimated Inventory, 12 ct : 7.17
This item was last sold on : 07/13/25
Description/Taste
Cutie tangerines are small citrus fruits, averaging 5 to 6 centimeters in diameter, with a rounded shape and flat bottoms. The pale to dark orange skin is loose and may have the occasional neck, or collar, at the stem end. The thin rind has a smooth to pebbled texture and is very easy to peel. Cutie tangerines have a seedless, deep orange flesh that is juicy with a sweet flavor and balanced with a bit of acidity.
Seasons/Availability
Cutie tangerines are available year-round with a peak season in the fall through the spring months.
Current Facts
Cutie tangerines are really two different varieties sold under one brand name. They are popular for their size, easy-to-peel skin, and seedlessness. Cuties are either murcott mandarins, also known as tangerines, or clemenules. Whichever variety is represented by the Cuties® name is dependent upon the season. Clementines are early maturing and start off the season and the murcott mandarins are late maturing, and round out the season. Cuties® are produced and sold by the San Joaquin Valley, California-based, Sun Pacific.
Nutritional Value
Cutie tangerines are an excellent source of vitamins C and A, as well as dietary fiber. They are also a good source of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. They are full of antioxidants like beta-carotene and the flavonoids hesperetin and naringenin.
Applications
Cutie tangerines are used in both raw and cooked applications. They are most often peeled, separated into segments and eaten fresh. Add Cutie tangerines to fruit or garden salads. The juice and zest can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Use the juice for marinades, beverages, vinaigrettes or sauces. Cuties® can be used in baked goods like cakes, scones, muffins and cookies, either blended into the batter, used whole or in segments. The juice can be used in glazes and curds. Store Cutie tangerines at room temperature for up to three days. Keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Cutie tangerines are not always seedless. To ensure the trees are not inadvertently pollenated by bees or other insects who may have had contact with another citrus variety, they are covered with nets during their flowering stage. Cutie tangerine growers must adhere to strict procedures during the growing process to ensure a seedless product. So, any seedless Cuties® are simply the result of very determined bees.
Geography/History
The concept of branding mandarins and clementines came from Central California citrus grower, Tom Mullholland. Mullholland is credited with bringing the first clementines to California. He discovered the sweet, seedless citrus on a trip to Morocco in the early 1990s. The variety was the nules clementine, also known as a clemenule, a Spanish variety. After learning they would soon be available in California, he jumped on the opportunity and became the first to propagate, grow and market clementine oranges in the United States. To make them more marketable, Mullholland gave them a cute name and ignored the less-appealing variety name. Other citrus growers caught on to the branding technique. In 1997 Sun Pacific began planting groves of clemenules, followed by groves of the murcott mandarin in 2001. They branded them as Cuties®, despite the fact that they were the same product Mullholland had registered under another name. During the summer months, Cutie tangerines are grown in Chile to allow for year-round availability in the United States.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Culinary Kitchen Catering and Events | Coronado CA | 619-798-8477 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Warren Walker School Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-223-3663 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-942-2104 |
| Fifty Two Remedies Bar | San Diego CA | 858-707-7016 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Pendry SD (Spa) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-880-8719 |
| Hazel & Jade Bakery | San Diego CA | 804-815-8052 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Vertex - Merryfield Row | San Diego CA | 619-405-8950 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Claire's on Cedros - SKSB | Solana Beach CA | 858-259-8597 |
| Urban Corps Charter School | San Diego CA | 619-235-6884 |
| Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps | Vista CA | 760-975-7327 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| The Whaling Bar (Bar) | La Jolla CA | 858-355-9218 |
| Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
