Having lived 30 years in Florida, I was always taught to choose an orange or a tangerine by its vibrant color, firmness and fragrance! I can’t tell you how many times I have been disappointed in those beautiful, wonderfully smelling, bright orange citrus fruits that are pretty much inedible after you peel them because they are either too “pulpy/pithy” or too bitter. But! They sure do smell good!
The other day, I encountered a little Mayan gentleman on the street, pushing a fruit and vegetable cart, selling his wares. He asked me if I wanted some tangerines, only 10 pesos a bag (about 15 or so). That converts to approximately 5 cents a tangerine! I really didn’t particularly want them right at that moment, but purchased a bag just the same. Much to my (then) chagrin, they were small and very green! I asked if they were sweet and he assured me that they were. What else would he say, I thought. Check out these green tangerines in the photo below:
I cut one open to try it and was pleasantly surprised to find that it at least had a fragrant citrus aroma and was the right color on the inside! See for yourself:
I quartered it, peeled it, and thought “what the heck, give it a try”! I like eating my citrus fruits the way the locals do, so I put a few drops of lime juice on it, sprinkled it with ground red chili pepper and ate it! It was one of the sweetest tangerines I have ever eaten. I was absolutely shocked at the sweetness of this green tangerine!
I am currently on the lookout for that little Mayan guy pushing his fruit and veggie cart!
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