Admiring a box of clementines that Mum bought today, I wondered about the Christmas tradition of putting an orange - or now more frequently a clementine - into the toe of a stocking.
I learned that the clementine was 'created' by the cross pollination of a sweet orange and a tangerine. This is no genetically modified fruit, though, it was an accidental occurrence, way back in 1902.
I learned that there is a story called 'The Christmas Orange' but I haven't read it!
I looked for reasons for the association of Christmas and clementines - in some places it will be the time when citrus fruit ripen and are available. At one time an orange was a luxury item and hence Christmas would be a time to have such a treat. Another reference suggested that it was because it is an ideal fruit to share. One reference suggested that it represented the gold that St Nicholas was believed to carry in his sack. So, unfortunately, no definitive answer.
Anyway, the clementines are good at the moment - at least the Taste the Difference ones from Sainsbury's are - so enjoy!!
We have been having boxes from the fruit market and they have been delicious.
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