I have always liked clementines, but hate getting the 5 pound boxes that they are sold in, as I can never use them in time. Why are they sold in these crates anyways?

Clementines have long been packaged in wooden boxes for the European holiday gift market, according to Juan Calvo, president of Ibertrade, the Manhattan-based importer that was one of the first to introduce clementines and has a 20 percent share of the market, second only to LGS.

It would seem that no one has ever bothered to separate the box from the clementines…still not sure why.

ANYWAYS, this weekend at the Shaws in Allston, I came across a new fruit called a Citrine, that looked a lot like the clementine, but was sold individually.

Citrines offer the superior qualities that research indicates citrus consumers desire. They are larger, virtually seedless, have a sweeter taste and are easier to peel. There really is no other fruit quite like Citrines (more).

Long story short, I just had my first Citrine, and I was impressed. Slightly larger than a clementine, “virtually seedless” (I had one seed in mine), nice and sweet, and overall a good piece of fruit.

Read more about Citrine’s here, and be sure and look for them in your local supermarket.