Benefits Of Tangerines and How To Choose

Tangerine is one of the winter fruits that Koreans love. Koreans like me can eat 10 tangerines at the same time. I'M NOT JOKING. There is a reason to eat tangerines in the cold winter. First, tangerines are good for boosting immunity in winter season enough to be called the treasure house of vitamin C. Also, it is suitable for winter health care because of its sufficient vitamin and citric acid.

Benefits of tangerines

1. Skin beauty

Vitamin C contained in tangerines not only prevents skin aging, but also helps skin whitening.

2. Cold prevention

As vitamin C boosts immune system, you can prevent getting a cold. It's also good to make a cup of tea with tangerine peel. 

3. Prevention of constipation

You can see the white pith from surface of  tangerines. The pith tends to be chewy, but it's actually helpful for prevention of constipation because it contains dietary fiber and pectin. So, when ingested, it promotes bowel movement and helps constipation.

4. Good to relieve stress

Vitamin C and terpenes, an aromatic compound, stimulates the central nervous system to help relieve stress.

How to choose a fresh, sweet tangerine

Sometimes, if you're unlucky, you may buy super sour and bad quality of tangerines..then, how can you choose a sweet and fresh tangerine?

First of all, the thinner the peel and the smaller the tangerine is, the more delicious it is. Also, tangerines with green stems and leaves are freshly harvested one.

Ah! There is a tip for you. You can eat more sweet tangerines by rubbing them before peeling. I didn't know the reason to be honest..I thought it is just superstition or something haha. But there is actually a scientific reason for that. So, when you rub the tangerine, an ingredient called ethylene comes out, which increases the sugar content by promoting the ripening process of the tangerine. Thus, rub your tiny tangerine before eating!