How to Preserve Tangerines for Up to 12 Months

A delicious, natural way to keep tangerines fresh, sweet, and flavorful all year round.

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✨ Why This Works

Tangerines (also known as mandarins or bergamots) are:

• Rich in vitamin C, carotenes, and flavonoids

• Great for boosting immunity

• Often only seasonally available

By using a gentle canning method with light spicing and syrup, you can preserve the fruit’s flavor and nutrients — and enjoy tangerines even when they’re out of season.

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Tangerine Preservation Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 kg tangerines (or any amount you have)

• 8 whole cloves (adjust to taste)

• 1 cinnamon stick

• Sugar (2 tablespoons per jar)

• Hot water (boiling)

• Sterilized glass jars with tight-fitting lids

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‍ Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Tangerines

• Peel the tangerines, separating them into segments.

• Remove the white pith/lint as much as possible.

✅ Keep the peels — you’ll use them later to make a homemade cleaner!

Place the clean tangerine segments into sterilized glass jars, filling them but leaving a bit of space at the top.

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2. Preheat the Fruit

• Pour boiling water into the jars, fully covering the tangerines.

• Let sit for 1 minute, then carefully pour the water into a saucepan.

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3. Make the Syrup

• To the reserved hot water in the saucepan, add:

  • Cloves

  • Cinnamon stick

Bring to a gentle boil for 5 minutes to infuse flavor.

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4. Sweeten the Jars

• While the syrup simmers, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to each jar of fruit.

You can adjust sugar amount to taste or use a sugar alternative if preferred.

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5. Assemble and Seal

• Remove the spices from the syrup and pour the hot liquid into the jars, making sure the sugar is fully covered and beginning to dissolve.

• Seal the jars tightly with their lids and shake gently to distribute sugar and syrup.

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6. Boil the Jars for Preservation

• Place the filled, sealed jars into a large pot.

• Add hot water to the pot until it partially covers the jars.

• Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

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7. Cool and Store

• Remove the jars and place upside down on a towel to cool overnight. This helps with sealing.

Once cool, store in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard.

✅ Properly sealed jars can last up to 12 months!

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️ How to Use Preserved Tangerines

• As a dessert topping (ice cream, yogurt, pancakes)

• In cakes, muffins, or tarts

• Served chilled as a refreshing snack

• With cheese platters or savory dishes for contrast

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♻️ BONUS: Reuse the Tangerine Peels

Don’t throw those peels away — turn them into a natural household cleaner!

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Citrus Peel Cleaner Recipe

Ingredients:

• Tangerine peels

• White vinegar

• Pinch of salt

• Cold water

• Sterilized jar with lid

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Instructions:

1. Fill a clean jar with the tangerine peels.

2. Add a pinch of salt, then pour in vinegar until the peels are just covered.

3. Top off with cold water, leaving about 2 inches of space from the rim.

4. Cover the jar with a tea towel and let sit at room temperature.

5. Stir daily for the first 15 days.

6. After 30 days, strain and transfer the liquid to a spray bottle.

Use this eco-friendly citrus cleaner on countertops, kitchen surfaces, and floors — it smells amazing and is chemical-free!

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Final Thoughts

This simple technique lets you enjoy the vibrant flavor and nutrients of tangerines all year round, while also giving new life to what would usually be food waste. Homemade preserved fruit tastes better than store-bought and adds a touch of sunshine to any season.