National Clementine Day

Clementines, a cross between a willowleaf mandarin orange and a sweet orange, are celebrated today on National Clementine Day. The folks behind the day have said of it: "This February 15 pack a few clementines for the special folk you care about, people you might want to meet, or those who just like to eat. Keep it simple. Keep it sweet."

Clementines are named in honor of Clément Rodier, the French missionary brother who first discovered them. The hybrid came about naturally in the garden of his orphanage in Misserghin, Algeria, in the late nineteenth century. Clementines were named after him in 1902. Following their introduction to the Citrus Research Center at the University of California, Riverside, in 1909, they became part of California's commercial agriculture in 1914. Today, most clementines are grown in China. They are also grown in Spain and Morocco, and in the United States, most are grown in California, with some also being grown in Texas and Florida.

One of the smallest and sweetest orange varieties, clementines can easily be peeled, and they separate into seven to fourteen segments. They are seedless or close to it. There are three types: seedless, regular clementines (with ten or fewer seeds), and Moreal (with more than ten seeds). They are often sold as "easy-peelers" and under brand names like Cuties, Sweeties, and Darling. Clementines may be eaten plain, be used in and on salads and desserts—such as in clementine cake—and be used to make sauces and preserves. They are often known as "Christmas oranges" because their peak growing season is around Christmas. Naturally, they are often given as gifts during that time. National Clementine Day takes place during the downslope of their growing season, but still during it, meaning there should be plenty of clementines to go around today!

How to Observe National Clementine Day

As the originators of the holiday suggest, you could "pack a few clementines for the special folk you care about, people you might want to meet, or those who just like to eat. Keep it simple. Keep it sweet." If you'll be the one eating clementines, peel and enjoy them plain, or use them to make something. Have them in a salad or use them to make clementine cake or marmalade.

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