Tangerines

The Journey of a Tangerine From Tree to Dinner Plate:

The tangerine, the perfect snack for that hunger between meals, is incredibly important to us humans. When it comes to our diet, we rely on many foods including fruits and vegetables to stay healthy and well-nourished. As any other fruit, a tangerine's life begins as a seed planted at a farm. From this point on, a tangerine will go through many stages and steps before making it to our dinner plate.

Growing

The first step in this journey of a tangerine is its growth. Starting off as a tiny seed, it goes through a germination process where there are certain requirements that need to be met in order for the seed to germinate. First, the seed needs to be hot and humid environment in order to absorb moisture and then be exposed to sunlight. The seed will then produce a small shoot that develops into a tangerine tree.

Once planted, the tangerine tree will grow from a small sapling to a young tree. The tangerine tree will require very specific care to make sure it grows properly. This includes providing the required nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apart from these, the tangerine tree also needs an adequate amount of sunlight and water to survive. The soil in which the tree is planted also needs to be properly balanced so the tree can absorb the nutrients it needs.

When the tree starts to mature, it will start to bloom and produce tangerine flowers. These unique looking flowers will contain a lot of nectar which will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Pollination is a key factor in the production of tangerines, without it the tree will not be able to produce any fruit.

Harvesting

When the flowers have been pollinated, the tree will start to form its tangerines. It will take around 8-10 months for the tangerines to grow to their optimal size and ripeness. When they are ready to be harvested, the farmers will carefully go up the tree and pick the tangerines. The harvested tangerines will then be boxed and stored in cool temperatures so that they can maintain quality before they are sent to their next destination.

Transporting

When the tangerines are picked and packaged, they are ready for the next step in their journey, transportation. The tangerines will be brought to a local packing house where they will be sorted and inspected for quality. This is to make sure that only the ripest and best quality tangerines make it to the market. After the sorting and inspection process is completed, the tangerines will then be loaded onto cargo ships or planes for transportation to their next destination.

It’s important to ensure that the tangerines are properly stored and handled during the transport process, as there are certain temperature and humidity requirements that need to be met in order to maintain their high quality.

Retailing

When the tangerines arrive at their destination, they are ready to be sold in the market. At this stage, they will be sorted and graded according to their size, shape, and flavor. They will then be packaged appropriately in boxes or bags and labeled with the farm’s brand or logo.

The retailing stage marks the end of the tangerines’ journey. Now, it is ready to be taken home and enjoyed by the consumer.

Cooking and Eating

When a tangerine arrives at home, it can be eaten as a delicious snack or can be used in many recipes. The tangerine can be peeled, segmented, or chopped to make various dishes such as salads, desserts, and sauces.

When preparing the tangerine, it’s best to use a sharp paring knife as it is easier to peel and remove the inner white skin of the fruit. With a sharp paring knife, you can also remove the seeds, which are bitter in taste.

Once prepared, the tangerine can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be eaten as-is, used as an ingredient in snacks and desserts, or cooked into dishes. When cooked, the tangerine adds a sweet and sour flavor to the dish, making it even more enjoyable.

The journey of a tangerine from its tree to our dinner plate is truly incredible. From planting the seed to harvesting, transporting, retailing, and finally enjoying, each step is important in ensuring that the tangerine is of the highest quality and has the perfect flavor that we all enjoy.