Clementine, winter's darling

Children and adults wait for it when the cold weather arrives for its tender, sweet and juicy flesh. But the clementine contains much more inside its peel. And yes! Rich in vitamin C, it is no coincidence that it is so popular during the cold season.

What we should know about clementine

A perfect compromise

The clementine doesn't get its close resemblance to the tangerine for nothing. In fact, it comes from a hybridization between orange and mandarin. It therefore inherits the tenderness of the flesh of the mandarin, while avoiding the abundance of seeds, and the tangy flavor of the orange. Making it a perfect compromise.

Its antioxidants

Rich in antioxidants, clementine is beneficial for your health. It helps fight the harmful effects of free radicals in the body. Among its antioxidants, we of course find vitamin C, but also carotenoids, flavonoids and limonoids.

Its fibers

Like most plants, clementine is rich in fiber. Its are known as pectin. Important to remember that fiber is essential for good digestive health, especially in the large intestine.

Fibers, including pectin, are prebiotics. They act as food for the microbiota. Our intestinal bacteria, to function properly, need food just like us. And since they cannot feed themselves, they rely on us to give them what they need.

Much more than just a color

Clementine owes its bright orange color to its carotenoid content. But carotenoids do much more than provide that colorful pigment. It is a precursor to the formation of vitamin A. Carotenoids are also called provitamin A. As mentioned above, carotenoids are antioxidants of great importance.

Does vitamin B complex mean anything to you?

All vitamins have their capital importance for the body. B vitamins are certainly no exception. They are involved in the production of energy, they allow better stress management, they are necessary for the proper functioning of the liver. In short, they are part of almost all enzymatic reactions in the body. They are essential. Fortunately, eating a clementine provides you with these valuable B vitamins.

Without forgetting vitamin C

Why promote vitamin C intake during winter? Vitamin C is a major tool for our immune system when it is invaded. Also, it stimulates energy production and is antioxidant. While eating two clementines won't chase away your cold, sustained consumption of vitamin C-rich foods certainly can't hurt.

At table !

Since cooking unfortunately destroys vitamins B and C, it is preferable to consume clementine raw. You can always eat it in quarters, but it's so nice to find it elsewhere in your meals!

Try it in a salad or in a vinaigrette, it goes wonderfully with several raw vegetables.

Swap your orange juice for freshly squeezed clementine juice. Attention! By consuming only its juice, you eliminate its fiber. In addition, being very sweet, remember to limit your intake. To avoid these inconveniences, put it in a smoothie with lots of fresh greens instead.

Because in cooking everything is transformed, grate a little of its zest to spice up your Indian dishes, your salads, your desserts, etc.

Although cooking should be avoided, nothing stops you from adding a few small pieces to a hot dish before serving. Thus, it preserves its nutritional qualities and all its flavor and juice.