When Do Mandarins Ripen? A Full Guide to Ripening Stages and Harvest Time

Mandarins are rich in vitamin C, with a sweet-and-sour taste, and have been cultivated in China for over four thousand years. So, when do mandarins ripen?

1. When do mandarins ripen?

Mandarins generally begin to ripen after October. Because varieties differ, the ripening time varies. Early-maturing varieties ripen in early October, common varieties from November to January of the following year, and late-maturing varieties generally from November to March of the following year.

2. Tips for Choosing Mandarins

1. Look at the variety: common mandarin varieties include Shatang mandarin, Nanfeng mandarin, ice-sugar mandarin, Huangyan honey mandarin and Ponkan, among which Shatang mandarin is the sweetest.

2. Consider the size: medium-sized ones are best, because large ones have thick peel and are not plump, while small ones are poorly developed and taste inferior.

3. Check the color: choose orange-red or orange-yellow ones with smooth peel. Overripe pale yellow ones, unripe green ones and mandarins with holes in the peel are all unacceptable.

4. Compare the elasticity: press lightly with two fingers; those with good bounce are better. A thin peel, a fresh fragrance through the peel, and some oil emerging when the peel is lightly pinched also indicate a good mandarin.

5. Look at the base hollow: viewed from the side, those with a sunken base below a long stem are better, while those with a flat or protruding base are inferior.

6. Pinch the base: those that feel soft when pinched are mostly sweeter, while those that feel hard generally have thicker peel and a mostly more sour taste.

Although mandarins are delicious, they should not be eaten in excess; eating too many can cause carotenemia, with the skin turning deep yellow, just like jaundice. If the palms turn yellow from eating too many, simply stopping for a period of time will gradually restore the skin color to normal.