Overview

• Heavier‑for‑size mandarins are more likely to be juicy, while lighter fruits often indicate moisture loss and dryness.
• Look for smooth, firm, deep‑orange peel with a fresh citrus aroma, and avoid soft spots or dark patches that suggest overripeness or rot.
• A fresh tear‑off point that appears white and soft can indicate recent harvest, and green leaves or stems may signal freshness, though they are not always present or reliable.
• Store mandarins cool, dry and ventilated at roughly 10–15 °C, avoid temperatures below 5 °C and airtight bags, and keep them away from ethylene‑producing apples and bananas.
• A reported Japanese method advises soaking sour fruit about 10 minutes in ~40 °C water, then a brief cold dip, a claim presented as a quick fix with limited independent validation.