Buyer's Guide to Florida Citrus

Buying Robinson Tangerines

The Bottom Line

A deep–flavored, juicy tangerine, the Robinson is worth seeking out. Those looking for a citrus fruit with superior flavor won't be disappointed. Robinsons are "related" to Page oranges, another fruit well known for its great flavor, and we recommend them as an alternative when Pages aren't available.

Buy Robinson Tangerines

Appearance

On the larger side for a tangerine, the Robinson still has the classic tangerine shape — shorter and squatter. It has a small "neck" at its stem and is reddish–orange in color.

Taste

The Robinson's interesting "parentage" (they are a cross between Orlando tangelos and Clementine mandarins) guarantees a rich, deep, tangy, and delicious taste.

Juiciness

Like most tangerines, the Robinson is very juicy. With its larger size for a tangerine, it's actually a delicious, though slightly unconventional juicing choice. If you've never tried fresh tangerine juice, you're missing out.

Seeds

Tangerines are typically seeded fruit, and the Robinson is no exception. In general, you'll find an average of 10 to 20 seeds inside.

Eating out of hand

The Robinson's thin skin, ease of peeling, and small to medium size makes it an appealing fruit to eat out of hand.

Availability

Robinsons are an early season fruit, available mid–November through the end of the holiday season.

Best Used For

Robinson tangerines are a good snacking fruit due to their handy size and ease of peeling. Tangerine juice is also a delicious choice, and tangerine peel and zest are a flavorful addition to recipes.

Why Should I Buy Robinson Tangerines?

Choose Robinson tangerines because you're looking for an early–season tangerine with a full–bodied, sparkling taste that's easy to peel. We suggest them as a stand–in for customer favorite Page oranges when those are out of season or out of stock.

Interesting Facts

The Robinson is actually ¾ tangerine and ¼ grapefruit. Some may find this surprising, but many of our most delicious citrus hybrids have grapefruit "parentage" — it adds full–bodied flavor.

Robinsons aren't seen much in supermarkets due to their tender fragility. The great thing about a specialty fruit shipper like FFS is that we can take the extra time to treat fruit like these with the care they need.

History

The Robinson was created in 1959 by P.C. Reece and F.E. Gardner at the U.S. Horticultural Field Station in Orlando, Florida.