The History of Clementines

Clementines are derived from crossbreeding the Willowleaf mandarin orange with a regular sweet orange. They get their name from Clément Rodier, a French missionary who first grew the hybrid fruits. He created clementines in 19th century Algeria, which was colonized by France at the time. Notably, similar citrus fruits were present in China and the Mediterranean around the same time, furthering the rise of citrus flavors. Since they were first created, clementines have become widely popular. Most clementines are now produced in California, Florida, Morocco, and Spain, and are grown in both seeded and seedless varieties. Today, clementines are enjoyed in many parts of the world, including the United States, and are widely available in supermarkets across the country.