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Ugli® Tangelo Fruit

Ugli® fruit wears the most wrinkled skin of all the citrus varieties.

Native to Jamaica, Ugli fruit is a citrus fruit that is thought to be a mandarin–orange hybrid. Some believe it is a tangerine–grapefruit hybrid, while others suggest that the pomelo or bitter orange are involved. On its own, Ugli fruit has orange or pink flesh that is sweeter than grapefruit. It wears the most wrinkled skin of all the citrus varieties, making it easy to peel. Its thick skin is colored pale orange, with a greenish tint.

Varieties

The Ugli fruit found in the market is not differentiated by variety, but may have skin that is greenish or yellow-orange in color.

Buying and storing tips

Expect wrinkled, loose skin along with greenish spots and an overall light orange color, clues almost the opposite of what to look for in other orange hybrids. The fruit will last in the refrigerator for one to two weeks.

Availability

Ugli fruit are generally available October through February.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Ugli fruit makes a delicious addition to fruit salads or green salads. Eaten raw as a snack, it is best to peel the fruit and divide it into sections like an orange, rather than the traditional way of scooping grapefruit from the segments after it is cut in half.

Nutritional Highlights

Not available. However, the nutritional content of Ugli fruit is probably comparable to that of other citrus fruits.

Health benefits and concerns

Allergies and sensitivities (food and chemical)

A low-allergen diet, also known as an elimination diet, is often recommended to people with suspected food allergies in order to find out if avoiding common allergen foods gives relief from symptoms. This diet eliminates foods and food additives considered to be common allergens, including citrus fruits. Some popular books offer guidance to people who want to attempt this type of diet. Most elimination diets are quite restrictive and increase the likelihood of nutritional deficiencies. A successful elimination diet is usually followed by reintroduction of eliminated foods one at a time, to see which ones are truly allergens for the individual person and therefore need to be eliminated indefinitely. Strict avoidance of allergenic foods for a period of time (usually months or years) sometimes results in the foods no longer causing allergic reactions. Restrictive elimination diets and food reintroduction should be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.

Hives

Allergy to foods and food additives is a common cause of hives, especially in chronic cases. Citrus fruits are among those foods most commonly reported to trigger hives. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that diets that are free of foods that commonly trigger allergic reactions typically produce significant reductions in symptoms in 50–75% of people with chronic hives. People with hives should investigate the possibility that food allergies are causing their problem by consulting with a doctor.

Kidney stones

Citric acid is found in citrus fruits and may also protect against kidney stone formation. Lemons are the best food source commonly available. One preliminary trial found that drinking 2 liters (approximately 2 quarts) of lemonade per day improved the quality of the urine in ways that are associated with stone prevention. Lemonade was far more effective than orange juice. The lemonade was made by mixing 4 oz lemon juice with enough water to make 2 liters. The smallest amount of sweetener possible should be added to make the taste acceptable. Further study is necessary, however, to determine if lemonade can prevent recurrence of kidney stones.

Health benefits and concerns for fruit
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other fruit. Read about health benefits and concerns for fruit for a full description.