Do you like to buy the popular Cuties or Halos mandarins in the store? Are you convinced they are the same thing or do you swear that they are different? See what the differences are and why the flavor chances throughout the season.
📋 What's New In This Post (3/27/25) - Updated availability calendar.
✍🏻 Featured Comment - Faye says "Thanks for clarifying this for me. Good info. Every time I shopped, I wondered what the difference was, but by the time I got home, I never remembered to google."
Sorting Through All the Names
The produce world can be a confusing place at times.
We got sweet potatoes sometimes called yams, we call cabbage that looks clearly purple, red cabbage, and what are those little orange fruits that come in 3 pound bags or 5 pound boxes? Clementines, Cuties, Halos, Peelz, Tangerines, or Mandarins?
The world of single serving, easy to peel citrus can leave one wondering. I have spend the better part of the last 15 years either working in produce or writing about produce, sorting through it all myself, so that I can confidently answer the following questions:
- Are the fruits in Halos and Cuties packaging the same?
- Is one better than the other?
- Are they really Clementines all the time?
And In the process I am doing my part to prevent any of these terms from becoming the next Kleenex - genericized term.
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Jump to:
🙋 What is a Mandarin?
Before we can get into whether Cuties and Halos are different, we need to discuss the type of fruit itself - the mandarin.
What is a mandarin? - A mandarin is generally small citrus fruit that can be peeled with your fingers. The inside has segments that can be pulled apart and eaten. A ripe mandarin has a deep orange to yellow-orange skin.
The fruit doesn't have to seedless, but often they are. Halos and Cuties are labelled as seedless, although you sometimes can find seeds in them regardless.
Many people will also interchange oranges with mandarins. Is true they are both orange! I categorize an orange as being a large piece of fruit like a Navel orange, Cara Cara, or Blood oranges. When mandarins are canned, they are called mandarin oranges, further adding to the confusion!
What about tangerines? Are they the same as mandarins too? I have looked into this topic many times over the years and I really can't come up with a clear conclusion about the difference. I have seen the term tangerine used more often in Florida and the term mandarin used more in California, although you still see tangerines in California like the Ojai Pixie tangerine.
🏷️ Are They Actually Any Different?
Are Cuties and Halos the same thing? Do you think the answer is:
A) Yes
B) No
C) Maybe
D) All of the above
If you answered D you are correct! How can that be?
What the name "Cuties" and "Halos" comes down to is marketing names from different companies. They are not actual variety names. The name "Cuties" is owned by Sun Pacific. The name "Halos" is owned by Paramount Citrus, who also has the trademark POM Wonderful.
Paramount Citrus use to own the "Cuties" name. A split occurred in the company and Sun Pacific parts with the "Cuties" name. "Halos" is the brand name that Paramount choose as a replacement for "Cuties".
Another brand name that has been growing in popularity in the last few years is "Peelz". Costco has been carrying mostly "Peelz" throughout the season this year. They are a brand name owned by Fowler Packing Company from Fresno, CA.
🍊 Are They Clementines?
Remember this - A Clementine is a type of mandarin. All Clementines are mandarins. Not all mandarins are Clementines.
Here is something that I don't think most people know. Cuties and Halos are different types of mandarins depending on what time of year it is. They are not always the Clementine variety. In fact, Clementines are only available during the beginning part of the citrus season - from November to January.
Other mandarins commonly used are the W. Murcott and the Tango. These are available at the same time, so it can be hard to even tell them apart, unless you really, really know your fruit well. I can't really tell them apart by looks alone.
📅 Availability Calendar
How do you know what type of mandarin you are getting? The packaging doesn't tell you and neither will signs at the grocery store - some signs say Clementines year round. Below you will find what variety to expect in a box or bag of Cuties or Halos during the season:
| Cuties Varieties | Time of Year |
| Clemetines | November to January |
| Tango | February to April |
| Murcotts | February to April |
| Halos Varieties | Time of Year |
| Clementines | November to January |
| W. Murcott | February to May |
| Tango | February to May |
🌤️ End of Season
The Cuties and Halos brands are NOT in store year round. By spring, usually in May, maybe even early June, they disappear. You may be able to find them occasionally imported from South America but not as consistent as in the winter months. Luckily fruits like peaches & cherries are in season then, so I recommend just eating more of those fruits.
Read more about the end of the season and if you can freeze Cuties or Halos.
🍽️ Which to Use in Recipes?
I have had people wondering about using mandarins in recipes. Does it matter at all what you use? No, I think anything from Cuties or Halos is going to be fine. The amount of sweetness, acidic, and juiciness varies but not enough that would stop me from using whatever I had. I have a Clementine Glazed Chicken with Quinoa recipe, but I don't necessarily just use Clementines in it.
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🍊 Varieties of Mandarins
Over a decade ago, I read a book by Russ Parsons called How to Pick a Peach. It's not just about peaches it's about all sorts of during varieties of fruits including mandarins. It's where I was introduced to many of the varieties that I would eventually seek out and find on trips to farmer's markets in Southern California. One of my most highly recommended books for the fruit lover.
Want to become an expert on mandarin varieties. Here is a list of all the varieties of mandarins we have reviewed on the blog. Search through these to discover which ones you want to add to your must try list.
- Satsuma mandarins
- W. Murcott mandarins
- Sumo mandarins
- Page mandarins
- Gold Nugget mandarins
- Ruby Tango mandarins
- Kishu mandarins
Noble Citrus in Florida has developed a new variety called Juicy Crunch that I believe has a lot of potential to be the next great piece of citrus.
🎙️ Listen to My Podcast
Listen to me chat on my podcast about sorting through these different smiley faced boxes of mandarins, by clicking the play button below.
Do you have any more questions about Cuties, Halos, or mandarins? Join the community below by leaving your questions in the comments below. I would love to answer your questions.
Pearl Johnson
Love the halos and the cuties.I wish I could get them all the time.
Ardith
Didn't realize the halo/cuties were only available certian times of the year. Now I know. Had to buy the clementines that are not as good. :((
Ann Hopkins
thanks for the info!
Eric Samuelson
You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.
Joy
Thank you for the information. I have always preferred the Cuties, just seemed sweeter to me. So I asked a produce manager at Jewel Food Store in Dyer, Indiana, yesterday.
He tells me that Cuties and Halos are the very same, no difference except the name. Then proceeds to tell me that the same family owned Cuties, there was a rift and one got the name Halo and one got to keep Cutie and they were all grown in the same orchard. Somehow that didn't seem right to me, so that's why I asked this question of you! Appreciate your info.
[email protected]
Outstanding explanation!
Kathi Sue
Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Eric Samuelson
Thank you! Glad you like this one!
Eric Samuelson
Thank you!
M
Thank you ?
Barbara Miller
Love the Cuties and Halos. They are perfect in every way. Rarely buy Clementines anymore. They were great when they first came out but anymore too many distributors of them. As of late they are tasteless, seedy and hard to peel. I hope that doesn't happen with the Cuties and Halos. Too many hands in the pot can often ruin a good thing !!!
nursepinky
Thank you for this information. But just for clarity, if I have a recipe (Clementine-Fig Spice Cake) that calls for clementines, is it ok to use Cuties or Halos?
Eric Samuelson
Two companies tried to work together and it didn't work out at all. Thanks for the comment.
Eric Samuelson
You're welcome!
Eric Samuelson
This time of year Cuties and Halos are a different variety than they were at the start of the season. Now they are most likely either Tangos or Murcotts. Murcotts can have seeds if the bees pollinate them. So that is why you are finding seeds in them. And often when a citrus variety first comes out for the season they are rushed to market without enough time to develop enough sweetness. I had a Murcott mandarin off a tree in California in late March and it was ridiculous good and sweet.
The problem with Cuties and Halos and other name varieties is that the consumer isn't directly told that they are using different varieties on the packaging, so people think that they are all the same, but they aren't. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions.
Eric Samuelson
Yes. You could use any type of mandarin or even any kind of orange. The flavor will vary upon what you use, but anything would work. Let me know what you use and how it turns out.
James
The real question should be, does the producer of Cuties use oil wastewater to help irrigate their plants much like POM Wonderful has admitted to using to irrigate their Halos. I certainly hope not. We've boycotted Halos. Please say we don't have to boycott Cuties too. 🙁
Eric Samuelson
I don't know the answer to that question, but it something to look into. Definitely possible they have similar practices being they worked together at one time.
cube
I love them all, but read on that paragon of academic excellence, Facebook, that they're grown in the toxic waste water of a large corporation. I won't mention names, but you get the idea. Any truth to this?
James
Cuties are better, because Halos are grown in Delano, California.
I'll let you figure out what "del ano" is Spanish for.
simone tatro
Have you heard that these companies use toxic water to grow their fruit, is this true?
Eric Samuelson
I heard hear reports of this, but haven't look enough into to know for sure. It's definately something that is on my radar. Thanks for stopping by!
Randi Countess
So then we can't buy them from May to October? Is that why I can't find them at any of the Walmarts?
Eric Samuelson
Yep. You are correct. They are now out of season. You may find some seedless mandarins imported from places like Chile. but I never find them to be very good. Not worth your money.
Faye
Thanks for clarifying this for me. Good info. Every time I shopped, I wondered what the difference was, but by the time I got home, I never remembered to google.
Barb Williamson
Really enjoyed reading about mandarin oranges; I am 83 & I remember getting them in Xmas stocking; they came from Japan & it must have stopped at onset of WWII
Joel
Which are the really sweet ones? I just bought a 2lb. bag of Halos and they are harder to peel and decidedly tart and acidic. I don't like them. Please offer guidance as to how t buy the really sweet ones. Thanks.
Eric Samuelson
That is not surprising to me all. These are the first of the year and often are not very good. I think they are rushed to market before they are ready in terms of flavor and sweetness. They also don't peel as well either until later in the season. Honestly I would avoid buying them completely right now until at least after Thanksgiving. I never find that any citrus is worth my money until at least December. Hope that helps.
Mike J.
Me, I live in Florida, & eat a really good Mandarin--satsumas, picked right off my tree.
Eric Samuelson
That's awesome. Satsumas are really good. Typically better than the Halos or Cuties brand clementine mandarins that are out at the same time.
Ron
Your son is too cute, reminds me when my sons were that age. Best wishes!
Eric Samuelson
Thank you!
Fred wolfe
My Halos WC JD326^ B57029 were hard to peel.Were they picked too soon????
Eric Samuelson
That's possible. The ones picked early in the season tend to be harder to peel than ones available later on in the season. Flavor and ease to peel definitely changes throughout the season for sure.
Linda McCulloch
Some Cuties and Halos feel soft and others feel hard. Does this affect the taste?
Eric Samuelson
It all depends. If something feels really hard and looks darker on the outside and the skin looks rough than it old and most likely dry. Soft may not be bad as long as there aren't spots that you can poke your finger through. Sometime mandarins' skin will separate some from the fruit inside. This usually means more mature fruit, which should have better flavor and sweetness.
Scott McGinn
Eric,
Thank you for clearing up the differences of the two! I am a Cuties/Halos nut! Right now there is a Christmas box below my feet of the "Happy Halos" variety that I feel asleep to and woke up to. My wife is getting worried I'm addicted! I am curious, do you know of a company to order the best oranges that you can order on line? the local stores never seem to carrie delicious organges anymore. My parents used order me a box from Florida, and they were the best!
Eric Samuelson
Here are a couple ideas for great oranges - Friend's Ranch in Ojai, California grows some amazing citrus. I visited there a couple years ago, wonderful fruit and people.
Also make sure you download my FREE Citrus Season Passport. This will help you find the best varieties in the grocery store throughout the season.
Earl
I bought some halo oranges upon eating one I found two very small bugs inside they were black and had little feelers in front. They look like really tiny lobsters'without claws. What are they and can they be a danger once inside the human body
Eric Samuelson
I haven't had or seen this problem before. Since they grow outside it's bound to happen every once and a while. Sorry you exeprienced that. I don't know anything about this type of bugs. I recommend you contacting the company that produces Halos. Here is a link for you - http://www.halosfun.com/contact.html
Chelsea
Hi just curious... its august and cuties are again available in store. Usuallly I do t see them until the fall. Can you explain?
Eric Samuelson
Those are from other countries, like Chile. They usually aren't very good, so I never buy them this time of year.
Mike J.
I posted 25 months ago. To update, a bumper crop of satsumas this year--400+ on the tree. & sweet & tasty. I've been giving them away as fast as I can. Even ate a few.
Anyone who lives south of 30 degrees N longitude should consider planting a satsuma. They're cold-hardy & self-pollinating.Mature trees require zero care or attention. No thorns. Fruit is terrific, & never gives canker sores.They ripen very early, too.
Ben
So why is the same sized package of Halo's about $2 more than Cuties? I see them sold together all the time at Walmart. Cuties are around $3.49 for a 3 pound bag and Halo's are between $5 and $6.
Eric Samuelson
That's a great question. I am not sure. I will do some price checking at some other stores and report back.
Wendy Knutson
Thank you , I had no idea about this!
Stephen
Your son got to pick his clementines AND got a Hot Wheels car. What a day! : )
A very insightful article. It'll come in handy when looking for clementines for a Christmas salad! Many thanks!
ABBY
Thank you for the lesson I sure learned something from it. Bu the way your son is a “CUTIE”