How were Mandarin oranges named?

Mandarin oranges are common to much of southeast Asia, including China. The term "mandarin" came from the Portuguese traders' pronunciation of a Chinese word for "minister of state", whose robes were commonly a bright yellow-orange color. There is plenty to blame stupid, old white people for- but not this one. read more

The name "mandarin orange" is a calque of Swedish mandarin apelsin (apelsin from German Apfelsine=Apfel+Sino means chinese apple), first attested in the 18th century. The form "mandarine" derives from the French name for this fruit. read more

Mandarin is a group name for a class of oranges with thin, loose peel, which have been dubbed "kid-glove" oranges. These are treated as members of a distinct species, Citrus reticulata Blanco. The name "tangerine" could be applied as an alternate name to the whole group, but, in the trade, is usually confined to the types with red-orange skin. read more