Oranges in Mandarin
The Colourful World of Oranges in Mandarin: Names, Flavours, and Festive Traditions
Oranges (柑橘类 Gān jú lèi) hold a special place in Mandarin culture, not only for their refreshing taste but also for their symbolic significance during traditional festivals. Let’s explore the varieties of oranges, their unique characteristics, and the roles they play in Chinese celebrations.
1. The Puff-up Orange 椪柑
(Chinese:Pènggān / Hokkien: Phòng-kam / English: Chinese honey orange)
Originating from Southern Fujian, 椪柑 (phòng-kam) derives its name from the Hokkien word “椪”, meaning “puffed up”. Its round, inflated shape and bulging stem give it a distinctive appearance.
This orange is juicy, sweet, and easy to peel without leaving your fingers sticky. The puffed-up skin creates a hollow at the center, making it easy to peel.
Oranges in Mandarin
2. The New Year Orange 桶柑
(Chinese:Tǒng gān / Hokkien: tháng-kam / English: Tankan)
Believed to be a natural hybrid of 椪柑 (Phòng-kam) and 甜橙 (sweet oranges), 桶柑 (tháng-kam) is a close cousin of the puff orange, which literally means “barrel orange”. The name comes from the traditional method of transporting these fruits in wooden barrels from China to Taiwan.
Its thicker peel and tighter connection to the flesh make it slightly more challenging to peel compared to 椪柑 (Phòng-kam), but its rich, sweet taste makes the effort worthwhile.
Oranges in Mandarin
During Lunar New Year and Spring Festival, Chinese people have a tradition to make “柑墩 (Gān dūn)” on the family altar—a structure with three oranges forming a tripod base, topped with another orange, and crowned with a barrel orange.
Since 橘 (Jú, orange) sounds like 吉 (Jí), a pile of oranges not only represents a large amount of luck but “步步高升 (Bù bù gāo shēng)”, which means to have a higher position step by step.
On the night of the Lantern Festival, the Chinese family gathers to share the 柑墩 (Gān dūn), symbolizing the end of the festival and return to work.
Harvested around the Lunar New Year, 桶柑 (tháng-kam) has a common name as “年柑 (Nián gān)”, which literally means “New Year Orange.”
Are you interested in knowing more Chengyus ( Chinese idioms) in a fun way? Please check these resources as well:
3. The Sweet Orange 柳丁
(Chinese:Liǔ dīng / Hokkien: liú-ting / English: Sweet Orange)
Known as 柳橙 (Liǔ chéng), the sweet orange gets its name from the way its juicy fruit laden branches lower like 柳 (Liǔ, willow trees).
In the past, people found the Chinese character 橙 (chéng) complex to write, so they replaced it with 丁 (ting), which was pronounced similarly in Hokkien. That’s why you can see many products use 柳丁 (Liǔ dīng) as a translated name instead of 柳橙 (Liǔ chéng).
Sweet oranges have firm, bouncy segments with smooth, delicate skin. Unlike 椪柑 (Phòng-kam) and 桶柑 (tháng-kam), they are not easy to peel, and attempting to do so by hand often results in juice spilling everywhere. As a result, sweet oranges are commonly served as neatly sliced pieces at Chinese restaurants, showcasing the chef’s skills.
Oranges in Mandarin
There is one more fruit from the orange family. While they are not directly associated with the Lunar New Year, they play a significant role in another traditional Chinese festival: the Mid-Autumn Festival. Let’s get to know it together!
4. The Biggest Orange-like Fruit 文旦
(Chinese: Wéndàn / Hokkien: bûn-tàn / English: Pomelo)
文旦 (wéndàn) is a large citrus fruit cherished for its sweet and slightly tangy taste. While it isn’t traditionally linked to the Lunar New Year, it holds great significance during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The name 文旦 (wén dàn) is related to a sad story. It tells of a beautiful young woman who was a 小旦 (Xiǎo dàn, refers to a role in traditional Chinese opera) surnamed 文 (wén), admired by many for her exceptional beauty.
To escape persistent suitors, she fled to a remote countryside, where she lived out the rest of her life in seclusion. After her passing, a pomelo tree grew at her former home, its fragrant blossoms reminding people of her. After that, the residents started calling pomelos as 文旦 (wén dàn).
文旦 (wén dàn) has another common name: 柚子 (yòu zi). Since it’s a homophone for “blessing” (佑, yòu) and their peak season coincides with the festival, Chinese people gradually have the habit to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with pomelos and mooncakes.
Oranges in Mandarin
From puffed-up 椪柑 (phòng-kam) and festive 桶柑 (tháng-kam) to banquet-ready 甜橙 (tián chéng) and the Mid-Autumn favourite 柚子 (yòu zi), oranges and their relatives add more than just flavour to Mandarin culture—they bring rich histories and cherished traditions to life.
Have you ever tried any of them?
Which is your favourite?
How are those citrus fruits called in your culture and what the names refer to?
Share with us in the comments!