By the Nutriveda editorial team · Updated 10 November 2026
Mandarins are small, sweet citrus fruit with loose skin that peels by hand, at their best in winter. They have 53 kcal per 100 g, which is about two small mandarins. Clementines, satsumas and tangerines are all types of mandarin.
Nutrition per 100 g
| Nutrient | 100 g | Share of EU reference intake* |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 53 kcal | |
| Protein | 0.8 g | |
| Fat | 0.3 g | |
| of which saturated | 0.0 g | |
| Carbohydrate (total, fibre included) | 13.3 g | |
| of which sugars | 10.6 g | |
| Fibre | 1.8 g | |
| Potassium | 166 mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 37 mg | 5% |
| Magnesium | 12 mg | 3% |
| Iron | 0.1 mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 2.0 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 27 mg | 33% |
Values are for: raw peeled mandarins without seeds. Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 169105 (“Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw”), checked against the USDA archive on 10 November 2026. *Adult reference intakes from Regulation (EU) 1169/2011. USDA lists total carbohydrate, fibre included.
Health benefits
Mandarins are an easy way to get vitamin C in the cold months, with 10.6 g of natural sugar and 1.8 g of fibre per 100 g. Eating the segments whole, with their thin membranes, keeps the fibre that juice loses.
- Vitamin C: 27 mg per 100 g, 33% of the daily reference intake (a 100 g portion: about 33%). Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
The vitamin and mineral statements use wording authorised in the EU (Regulation (EU) 432/2012). They describe the nutrient, not a special power of the food itself.
How to choose and eat it
Choose mandarins that feel heavy and firm, with glossy skin. Very puffy skin that has pulled away from the fruit often means dry segments. They keep for a few days in a bowl and longer in the fridge.
They are the simplest snack to carry. You can also add segments to a salad with fennel or red cabbage, or to yogurt with walnuts.
Who should be careful
Citrus fruit can aggravate heartburn in some people with reflux. Whole segments are a choking risk for very young children, so cut them into smaller pieces.
FAQ
How many calories are in a mandarin?
Mandarins have 53 kcal per 100 g. That is roughly two small peeled fruit.
What is the difference between a mandarin, a clementine and a tangerine?
Mandarin is the name of the whole group. Clementines are usually seedless and very sweet. Tangerines tend to have a deeper orange colour and a slightly sharper taste.
How much vitamin C is in mandarins?
They have 27 mg per 100 g, so two or three mandarins add up quickly.
Related entries
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central. Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw, FDC ID 169105. fdc.nal.usda.gov
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011: reference intakes and the allergen list. eur-lex.europa.eu
- Regulation (EU) No 432/2012: authorised health claims. eur-lex.europa.eu
This page is for information only and is not medical or dietary advice.