At the dazzling fruit stalls, two citrus fruits, rake mandarin and ugly orange, although they belong to the same family, have completely different flavors and stories. The difference between them is not only the difference in appearance and taste, but also a reflection of the cultivation technology, cultural heritage and consumer choice behind it.
Let's start with the looks. The rake mandarin orange, whose scientific name is Harumi citrus, has a smooth orange-yellow peel and a rounded shape, like a small sun, exuding a warm glow. The ugly orange, as its name suggests, has an uneven skin and an irregular shape, and its color also tends to be dark green, as if nature has deliberately dressed it in an "ugly" coat.
Peeling off the skin, there is also a clear difference in the flesh of the two. The flesh of the rake mandarin orange is full of particles, the color is bright, and when you bite into it, the sweet and sour juice almost overflows, and the taste is just right, which makes people have an endless aftertaste. The flesh of the ugly orange has a pale orange-yellow color and a relatively sour taste, which is not suitable for direct consumption, but it is very suitable for making juice or jam to add a special flavor to food.
In addition to the appearance and taste, rake mandarin and ugly orange are also different in planting techniques. As a relatively new fruit variety, the planting technology of rake mandarin orange is more modern, and scientific management and quality improvement are emphasized. Harlequin oranges, on the other hand, retain more of the traditional cultivation methods, and although the yield may not be as high as that of the rake mandarin, it also has a unique flavor and texture.
In terms of cultural connotation, rake orange and ugly orange also have their own stories. The name of the rake orange is the word "rake" in Sichuan dialect, which means soft and chewy, which not only vividly describes its taste, but also entrusts people's yearning for a better life. Although the name of the ugly orange sounds a little "self-deprecating", in some places, it is regarded as an auspicious fruit, because "ugly" also means "unique, special" in the local dialect, meaning unique beauty.
In terms of consumption choices, rake mandarin oranges and ugly oranges also represent different consumption concepts. With its sweet taste and beautiful appearance, rake mandarin orange is loved by young people and has become a fashionable fruit. Ugly oranges, on the other hand, are more chosen by some health-conscious, natural flavor consumers, who believe that although they are inconspicuous in appearance, they have an irreplaceable natural beauty.
To sum up, although both rake mandarin oranges and ugly oranges are citrus fruits, they have completely different characteristics in appearance, taste, planting technology, cultural connotation and consumption choice. These differences not only reflect the diversity of the fruit world, but also reflect the different pursuits and aspirations of people in modern society for a better life. Whether you like the sweetness of rake mandarin oranges or the sourness of ugly oranges, you can find your own happiness and satisfaction in this colorful fruit world.