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    Home Β» What is the Difference Β» Cuties vs Halos - What's the Difference?

    Cuties vs Halos - What's the Difference?

    Published: Feb 17, 2022 by Eric Samuelson

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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 year.

    We will also talk about the difference - Clementine vs. mandarin.

    A bag of Halos mandarins next to a bag of Cuties California clementines.

    This post includesΒ affiliateΒ links. This means that atΒ noΒ additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track theΒ affiliateΒ links you click.

    The produce world can be a confusing place at times.

    We got sweet potatoes sometimes called yams, we called cabbage that looks clearly purple, red cabbage, and what are those little orange fruits that come in 5 pound boxes? Clementines, Cuties, Halos, Dimples, Suki, Tangerines, Mandarins?

    The world of single serving, easy to peel citrus can leave one wondering. I am going to shine my years of produce experience on the subject today and talk about what is the difference between the popular Cuties and Halos.

    In the process I am doing my part to prevent any of these terms from becoming the next Kleenex (genericized term to refer to all facial tissues).

    Jump to:
    • πŸ™‹ What is the Difference?
    • 🏷️ Different Brand Names
    • 🍊 Clementine vs. Mandarin
    • πŸ“… Availability Calendar
    • ❔ Seedless?
    • 🌀️ End of Season
    • πŸ“§ Sign Up for Emails
    • 🍊 Varieties of Mandarins
    • πŸ‹ More Types of Citrus
    • 🍽️ Recipe
    • Clementine Glazed Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

    πŸ™‹ What is the Difference?

    Are Cuties and Halos the same thing? Is the answer

    A) Yes
    B) No
    C) Maybe
    D) All of the above
    ....
    ...
    ..
    .
    If you answered D you are correct! How can that be? Let's start with the most basic thing. Whether it's a Cutie or a Halo it is a mandarin. A mandarin is "a small flattish citrus fruit with a loose skin, especially a variety with yellow-orange skin" (thank you Google dictionary). It does not have to be seedless but in the case of Cuties and Halos, it is.

    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!

    A carboard tree display at a grocery store with Halo mandarins in the tree and a box underneath with bags of them

    🏷️ Different Brand Names

    What the name "Cuties" and "Halos" comes down to is marketing names from different companies. They are not actual varieties. 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".

    A single clementine mandarin hanging in a tree with green leaves.

    🍊 Clementine vs. Mandarin

    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).

    The other mandarin commonly used is the W. Murcott. Often I see grocery stores naming even the Murcotts as Clementines as that name as more recognition. Just look at the calendar and you will have an idea of what you are really getting.

    List of names you may see grocery stores use interchangeably even if they aren't the exact same thing - Mandarins, tangerines, Clementine mandarins, Halos mandarins, Halos clementines, Cutie tangerines, Halo oranges, Clementine, Cutie oranges, etc. Look for what it says on the package, not the store sign. Grocery stores change through similar products and won't often update the sign to reflect that, leading to consumer confusion.

    πŸ“… Availability Calendar

    Below you will find what variety is in a box or bag of Cuties or Halos during the season:

    Cuties

    Early ClementinesNovember 1 to Thanksgiving
    ClemetinesThanksgiving to mid January
    Murcottsmid January to April

    Halos

    ClementinesNovember to January
    W. MurcottFebruary to May
    TangoFebruary to May

    ❔ Seedless?

    Have you ever found a seed or two in either a Cutie or a Halo, or any other seedless mandarin? What gives?

    Read my post on Why There are Sometimes Seeds in Halos or Cuties.

    🌀️ 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.

    For when that happens you can buy mandarins in their dried form. They make for a great snack year round.

    If you are interested in learning more on mandarins as well learning about how to better choose fruit and vegetables here is some recommended reading.

    • How to Pick a Peach - I can't begin to tell you how much I love this book. I have borrow it from the library many times. The author Russ Parsons breaks down fruit and vegetables by season including mandarins. Russ gives a little history and the information you need to pick better fruits and vegetables. And it's written in a way than anyone, even if you don't know much about food, can read it. One of my most highly recommended books.

    For when fruit is out of season and your missing your favorite Cuties and/or Halos, you can buy

    Read more about the end of the season and if you can freeze Cuties or Halos.

    • Dried Soft Tangerines
    • Freeze-Dried Tangerines

    πŸ“§ Sign Up for Emails

    Want to find know when the best fruit of the season is in your local stores? Sign up for our seasonal fruit email list.

    Different types of oranges and mandarins - some with stems - on a round white wood board.

    🍊 Varieties of Mandarins

    Here is a list of all the varieties of mandarins we have reviewed on the blog.

    • Satsuma mandarins
    • W. Murcott mandarins
    • Sumo mandarins
    • Page mandarins
    • Gold Nugget mandarins
    • Ruby Tango mandarins
    • Kishu mandarins

    πŸ‹ More Types of Citrus

    Here are some other types of citrus worth checking out

    • Meyer lemons
    • Valentine pomelo
    • Finger limes
    • Lemonade lemons
    Clementine glazed chicken on top of a rice-quinoa medley on a white plate with a cut in half clementine in the background.
    Make this Clementine glaze chicken!!! You can use Halos, Cuties, or any mandarin you want.

    🍽️ Recipe

    You could just enjoy your Cuties, Halos, Clementines, Tangerines, Mandarins etc as is. But when you got a big box of them why not play around with them a little more in the kitchen. I got a recipe below that will be way better than any orange chicken you find at your strip mall.

    The recipe calls for Clementines but you can use any mandarin/tangerine you want.

    If you want the full lowdown on the recipe, check out my post - Clementine Glazed Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs. Otherwise scroll down.

    Clementine Glazed Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

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    Ingredients

    For the glaze

    • 8-10 Clementines
    • 1 teaspoon Chinese Five Spice
    • 1 tablespoon orange blossom honey
    • zest of 3 Clementines
    • Β½ teaspoon ground white pepper
    • Β½ teaspoon kosher salt

    For the chicken

    • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite sized pieces
    • cooking oil I like grape seed
    • kosher salt

    Instructions

    To make the glaze

    • Start by peeling 8-10 Clementines and place them into a blender or a container and use a stick blender.
    • Place a sieve over a sauce pan and pour the mixture through it.
    • Add remaining glaze ingredients
    • Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium, so you don’t boil over.
    • Stir frequently.
    • Cook until the juice it has begun to thicken and is almost a syrup like consistency, but not quite.
    • Taste the glaze. Add more seasonings if necessary.

    To prepare the chicken

    • Season with kosher salt. Then grab a large skillet or electric skillet, and place enough oil just to cover the bottom.
    • Heat the skillet over medium high heat.
    • When skillet is ready, place the chicken inside.
    • Cook until the chicken pieces have browned all over and there is no pink in the middle.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @eatlikenooneelse or tag #eatlikenooneelse
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pearl Johnson

      May 25, 2015 at 8:35 am

      Love the halos and the cuties.I wish I could get them all the time.

    2. Ardith

      July 19, 2015 at 3:31 pm

      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. :((

    3. Ann Hopkins

      January 31, 2016 at 11:09 pm

      thanks for the info!

    4. Eric Samuelson

      February 02, 2016 at 8:17 am

      You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.

    5. Joy

      February 05, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      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.

    6. [email protected]

      February 06, 2016 at 8:17 am

      Outstanding explanation!

    7. Kathi Sue

      February 08, 2016 at 11:56 am

      Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

    8. Eric Samuelson

      February 08, 2016 at 12:21 pm

      Thank you! Glad you like this one!

    9. Eric Samuelson

      February 08, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Thank you!

    10. M

      February 17, 2016 at 1:01 am

      Thank you ?

    11. Barbara Miller

      February 17, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      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 !!!

    12. nursepinky

      February 20, 2016 at 10:30 am

      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?

    13. Eric Samuelson

      February 21, 2016 at 10:13 am

      Two companies tried to work together and it didn't work out at all. Thanks for the comment.

    14. Eric Samuelson

      February 21, 2016 at 10:28 am

      You're welcome!

    15. Eric Samuelson

      February 21, 2016 at 10:34 am

      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.

    16. Eric Samuelson

      February 21, 2016 at 10:43 am

      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.

    17. James

      February 22, 2016 at 3:29 pm

      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. πŸ™

    18. Eric Samuelson

      February 25, 2016 at 9:59 am

      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.

    19. cube

      April 07, 2016 at 2:56 pm

      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?

    20. James

      April 07, 2016 at 4:55 pm

      Cuties are better, because Halos are grown in Delano, California.

      I'll let you figure out what "del ano" is Spanish for.

    21. simone tatro

      April 21, 2016 at 5:54 pm

      Have you heard that these companies use toxic water to grow their fruit, is this true?

    22. Eric Samuelson

      April 22, 2016 at 8:49 am

      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!

    23. Randi Countess

      June 12, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      So then we can't buy them from May to October? Is that why I can't find them at any of the Walmarts?

    24. Eric Samuelson

      June 13, 2016 at 6:51 am

      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.

    25. Faye

      June 21, 2016 at 5:28 am

      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.

    26. Barb Williamson

      July 10, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      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

    27. Joel

      November 05, 2016 at 6:45 am

      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.

    28. Eric Samuelson

      November 05, 2016 at 7:27 am

      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.

    29. Mike J.

      November 21, 2016 at 7:37 pm

      Me, I live in Florida, & eat a really good Mandarin--satsumas, picked right off my tree.

    30. Eric Samuelson

      November 21, 2016 at 10:58 pm

      That's awesome. Satsumas are really good. Typically better than the Halos or Cuties brand clementine mandarins that are out at the same time.

    31. Ron

      December 04, 2016 at 6:02 pm

      Your son is too cute, reminds me when my sons were that age. Best wishes!

    32. Eric Samuelson

      December 05, 2016 at 10:08 am

      Thank you!

    33. Fred wolfe

      December 06, 2016 at 9:06 am

      My Halos WC JD326^ B57029 were hard to peel.Were they picked too soon????

    34. Eric Samuelson

      December 06, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      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.

    35. Linda McCulloch

      December 07, 2016 at 8:54 pm

      Some Cuties and Halos feel soft and others feel hard. Does this affect the taste?

    36. Eric Samuelson

      December 08, 2016 at 4:30 pm

      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.

    37. Scott McGinn

      December 11, 2016 at 7:09 am

      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!

    38. Eric Samuelson

      December 13, 2016 at 8:56 am

      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.

    39. Earl

      December 23, 2016 at 11:56 am

      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

    40. Eric Samuelson

      December 29, 2016 at 11:23 am

      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

    41. Chelsea

      August 20, 2018 at 9:42 am

      Hi just curious... its august and cuties are again available in store. Usuallly I do t see them until the fall. Can you explain?

    42. Eric Samuelson

      August 21, 2018 at 11:51 am

      Those are from other countries, like Chile. They usually aren't very good, so I never buy them this time of year.

    43. Mike J.

      December 20, 2018 at 11:50 am

      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.

    44. Ben

      February 24, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      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.

    45. Eric Samuelson

      February 24, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      That's a great question. I am not sure. I will do some price checking at some other stores and report back.

    46. Wendy Knutson

      May 06, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      Thank you , I had no idea about this!

    47. Stephen

      August 02, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      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!

    48. ABBY

      September 24, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you for the lesson I sure learned something from it. Bu the way your son is a β€œCUTIE”

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    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

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