Cuties History

As you may know, California Cuties are two varieties of Mandarins: Clementine Mandarins and Murcott Mandarins. Clementines are available in the first half of the season, from November through January. Murcotts are available in the second half, February through April.

The origins of Clementine Mandarins are shrouded in mystery. Some fruit historians – yes, there are such people – say it was Father Clement, an Algerian monk, who first discovered this unique hybrid and hence it was named Clementino. Others claim the Clementine Mandarin originated in China.

Whatever its origins, we know this: The Clementine Mandarin first came to the United States in 1909, to Florida. Five years later, the first saplings arrived at the Citrus Research Center in Riverside, California, where their production flourished and their reputation spread.

And now, the Murcott Mandarins. In the early 1960s, a Moroccan scientist planted some citrus seeds from the Afourer Research station along the central Moroccan Atlantic Ocean near Marrakesh. The Nadorcott was selected from amongst these seedlings in the early 1980s. Since it was planted in row W in the experimental block, it was sent to California for evaluation as “W. Murcott.” In the late 1980s and early 1990s, in both Morocco and California, evaluators were drawn to the W. Murcott because of the exceptionally attractive deep orange-red rind color as well as the great flavor – high sugar balanced with acid.

Fast-forward to the year 2000. Grown in the sunny San Joaquin Valley, Cuties undergo rigorous inspection to ensure superior quality, high sugar levels and minimal seed content. With such strict quality control, you're assured that Cuties are the best-tasting Clementines and Murcotts available.