Have you ever wondered where the popular citrus fruit actually comes from? Everything about the origin and provenance of the clementine can be found here.
Clementines are particularly tasty fruits and are usually very easy to peel compared to many other members of their citrus family. That's why its English name "easy peel" is hardly surprising. But the origin of the deep orange clementine with its smooth and shiny skin has not yet been clarified.
The Origin of the Clementine
The origin of the clementine is not entirely clear: one theory says that the citrus fruit was first discovered in 1902 in the garden of an Algerian orphanage in the Misserglin area. The French monk Frérè Clément, who worked and lived in the said orphanage, played a real key role. He not only discovered the novel fruit, but eventually became the namesake of the novel phenomenon.
However, other sources claim that the clementine existed in certain areas of China much longer before the French monk Clément introduced it discovered in his garden.
Even if the origin of the clementine cannot be answered with certainty, it is generally assumed that the clementine arose as a random cross between the bitter orange and the tangerine. It is difficult to predict whether this mystery of origin will ever be finally solved. But no matter where the special citrus fruit originates, it is a tasty and sweet refreshment, especially on warm summer days.