Cuties Vs. Halos | Are They The Same?

Many of you might have tried sweet and seedless snacks that resemble oranges. Often people call them Halos or Cuties and assume that they are fruits, but did you know that they are not fruits but brands?

Halos are owned by Paramount Citrus, whereas Cuties are owned by the company named Sun Pacific. They both produce different varieties of mandarins at different times of the year. 

Halos have two varieties – the first variety is harvested from November to January, called clementine, and the other one is called W.Murcotts, available from February until May. On the other hand, Cuties are of three types – clementines, W. Murcotts, and tango.

These two brands produce the same fruit, which is difficult to differentiate. However, they are quite different as there is a difference in varieties, harvesting periods, and other factors. 

Today we will dig into these two most popular brands of mandarins and explore the difference between them. Stay with me until the end, as I have shared some really delicious recipes made from Halos and Cuties for you to try at home.

What are Cuties?

Cuties are the brand name that sells different varieties of mandarins. Cuties are not always mandarins as they are harvested yearly, and the variety differs depending on the season. 

Mainly three types of mandarin trees are grown – clementines, W. Murcotts, and Tangos. The packaging also differs according to the season. Some are packed as cutie mandarins, whereas others are tagged as clementines or summer Cuties.  

However, they all have almost the same characteristics as they are grown in the sunny San Joaquin Valley in California.

Essential characteristics of cuties are that they are seedless, super sweet, and easy to peel small-sized mandarins, which make them a perfect snack that you can enjoy anytime and anywhere.

Although cuties are the brand name, many people and children call mandarins cuties only because they have become very popular among households. Another interesting fact about cuties is that they are vegan.

Sun Pacific owns the name cuties after splitting with Paramount Citrus.

What are Halos?

Many people assume that Halos are a type of fruit, but it isn’t true. Like Cuties, it is only a brand name used by the manufacturers of the citrus fruit called mandarins. The mandarins by Halos are grown in California and owned by Paramount Citrus. 

Two main types of mandarins are harvested to provide the supply for most of the year. The first type of mandarin harvest is called clementine from November to January. The other one is called W.Murcotts, available from February until May.

Halos are not available for the entire year. They are grown in the sunshine of California, and as the growers focus on two types of harvesting, they are only available in the market for 6-7 months. 

Now, all Halos are mandarins, but not all mandarins can be Halos. The characteristics of Halos mandarins are easy to peel, seedless, and super sweet. 

Halos are slightly larger and slightly acidic. 

Halos Vs. Cuties | Similarities Between The Two

Halos and cuties both are brand names that sell different varieties of mandarins. Both Halos and Cuties are grown in California and stored in a similar way only.

They both possess great benefits and taste of mandarins and are widely popular among children as they are easy to peel, seedless, and smaller in size.

Halos Vs. Cuties | Major differences Between The Two

People often confuse halos and cuties as they are sold in stores together. However, people always claim that they prefer one to the other because of the size and variety differences.

The important thing to note about Halos and Cuties is that despite being mandarins, they have many significant differences. 

1. Variety

The phenomenal difference between Halos and Cuties is that Halos have two varieties of mandarin oranges – clementines and W. Murketts, whereas Cuties have three different types of varieties- clementines, W. Murketts, and Tango mandarins.

2. Availability 

When it comes to Cuties, they are available for the complete year, but Halos are available for only 6-7 months only. So, if you love Halos, then there might be a situation where you can’t find them in the stores. 

3. Taste 

The taste of Halos and Cuties are pretty much the same, but Halos are more acidic in nature, whereas Cuties are sweeter. 

4. Size

Again, Cuties and Halos are almost similar in size, but if we keep them on the same platform, they are slightly bigger than Cuties.

5. Brand

An interesting fact about Halos and cuties is that different brands own them, but originally Cuties came first in the market.

When Sun Pacific and Paramount Citrus split into two, Sun Pacific took the name Cuties, and Paramount Citrus coined another name – Halos. 

Are Clementines and Mandarin the same?

Now, we know what mandarins are, but another question that strikes us is what clementines are and how they differ from Mandarin.

When we were discussing Cuties and Halos, you may have noticed that they have different names depending on the harvesting season.

One of the varieties is clementines harvested from November till late January or February. Therefore, Clementines are another variety of Mandarins. 

People always assume that they are the same because Clementines are the popular variety of Mandarins. Halos and Cuties harvest Clementines and rely on them for the early harvest season.

This helps people to enjoy the sweet mandarins early in the season without waiting for the other varieties to harvest. 

Halos Vs. Cuties | Are they the same as oranges?

Halos and Cuties, two different brands selling varieties of Mandarins, is a citrus fruit similar to oranges but not the same.

Halos and Cuties look like oranges, but they are mandarins. When it comes to oranges, they are a hybrid of Mandarin and pomelo.

This is why oranges are giant and hard to peel when compared to Mandarins sold by Halos and Cuties. Oranges are mainly used to extract juices, whereas Mandarins by Halos and Cuties are primarily used for snacking.

How To Store Halos And Cuties? 

Halos and Cuties are sold in different types of packaging. You can get 2 or 3 pieces of Halos and Cuties in a web packet or get a big box of 5lb. Now, the problem is not buying a whole package but storage.

If not properly stored, they can be easily ruined. The reason they come in wooden boxes is that they are well-ventilated. 

Even in the net packet, they have proper ventilation. If you plan to consume them within 3-4 days, then placing them in a bowl or plate is fine. If you need to preserve them for a longer time, they should be stored in a cool, dark place. 

Make sure the container has proper ventilation to allow the air to circulate. Also, avoid the fruits touching each other, so keep adequate space between them.

Through this, you can store your mandarins for around 1-2 weeks. You can even place some of the mandarins in the salad drawer of a refrigerator to extend the shelf life for 4-5 days more.

Top Recipes That You Can Make With Halos 

Here are a few recipes that you can make using Halos.

1. Halos Citrus Salsa

Wonderful Halos Citrus Salsa is a mixture of sweet and savory salsa, which can be served with crackers or pita bread. For this, you will require three halos. Peel and cut the halos into pieces.

Also, peel one blood orange and slice them by separating them from the sections. Now, assemble other ingredients – grapefruit, lemon, cara cara orange, green Sicilian olives, red onions, sea salt, and mint leaves.

Peel and cut the outer layer of grapefruit, cara cara orange, and lemon and place them in a mixing bowl. Add the juice of the fruit from all the fruit bowls. Now add the Halos, blood orange, olives, red onions, and sea salt.

Stir and add the mint leaves. Serve and enjoy them for a week after storing them in the refrigerator.

2. Halos Zesty Hot Lemonade

Halo’s zesty hot lemonade will give you the required warmth with a powerful citrus flavor. You will need Halos zest, mint, Halos juice, lemon juice, agave, and cold water.

In a saucepan, mix Halos zest, mint, Halos juice, and lemon juice and put it on medium heat. Add water and bring the heat to a simmer. After 2-3 mins, remove from heat and let it sit for 10 mins by covering the saucepan.

Add agave and stir. Now serve the hot tea in the mugs or tea cups and enjoy.

3. Halos Chicken Salad Sandwich and Lettuce Cups

Halos chicken salad sandwich and lettuce cups are not only a healthy option, but this salad will be your favorite once you try it out.

For this, you will need shredded chicken, olive oil, mayonnaise, chopped parsley, chopped tarragon leaves, thinly sliced chives, almonds, diced green apples, celery stalks, lettuce leaves, salt, black pepper, and 5 Halos which are peeled and segmented into two parts.

Take a large bowl and mix all chicken and other ingredients. Season it with salt and pepper. Serve the salad in the lettuce leaves or as a sandwich on toasted bread with lettuce. 

4. Strawberry And Halo Crisp

Strawberry and halo crisp is a perfect sweet and savory dish that can also be served as a dessert. For this, you must make a filling using Halos, strawberries, lemon juice, coconut sugar, flour, and frozen vanilla yogurt. Firstly heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Meanwhile, combine the Halos segments, strawberries, lemon juice, coconut sugar, and flour in a large bowl.

Place the mixture into a baking dish and prepare the toppings. In a separate bowl, combine oats, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and salt—coat in the mixture by tossing butter.

Use your fingers to combine butter and the mixture making pea-sized pieces.

Now sprinkle the topping over the fillings placed on the baking dish. Bake until crispy for 40-45 minutes. Let it cool and top it with frozen vanilla yogurt and enjoy.

5. Coconut and Halos refreshers

Try coconut and Halos refreshers and enjoy it with your kids and family. You will require Halos juice, unsweetened canned coconut milk, lemon juice, vanilla extract, agave syrup, and lots of ice.

First, run the glass’s rim with agave syrup and dip it into unsweetened coconut.

Take a blender and combine Halos juice, Halos zest, unsweetened canned coconut milk, lemon juice, vanilla extract, agave syrup, and ice.

Blend everything until smooth and frothy. Pour it into the glass and serve it with a Halos slice for garnish. You can enjoy this refreshing drink with any meal or separately. Prepare a batch and then serve it with ice later on.

Top Recipes That You Can Make With Cuties

Here are a few refreshing recipes that you make with these cuties.

1. Cuties Raspberry Clementine Mimosa

Cuties raspberry clementine mimosa is a perfect drink to enjoy with your meal. You will need raspberries, clementines, champagne, and sugar. Make a puree of raspberries with clementine juice and zest.

Add the puree with sugar with more juice from clementine in a saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat until it thickens and becomes darker.

Remove the pan from heat and let it cool. Add two spoons of the puree to a champagne flute. Pour champagne over it and garnish the drink with raspberries and clementine segments.

2. Clementine Pineapple Power Smoothie 

Clementine pineapple power smoothie is a great way to consume Vitamin C energy. Bring the clementine and extract its juice. You will also need nonfat greek yogurt, frozen pineapple chunks, banana, protein powder, and hemp seed.

Take a blender and put everything except hemp seeds. Blend it until smooth. Serve it in a glass and top it with hemp seeds. Garnish with clementines and pineapple segments.

3. Cuties Clementine and Cranberry Snacking Cake 

Cuties clementine and cranberry snacking cake is a healthy, sweet snack or dessert. Firstly preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, stir clementine juice and sour cream and set aside.

Using a mixer, blend butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and egg. Beat them well. Slowly add the flour mixture and sour cream mixture. Now add cranberries and stir everything together. Grease a baking pan and transfer everything.

Bake for 45 minutes and let it cool completely after it is well cooked. Sprinkle it with icing sugar and serve.

4. Cuties Clementine, Tomato, and Red Onion Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Try Cuties clementine, tomato, and red onion salad with basil vinaigrette, and enjoy it with your dear ones. Take eight clementines and peel them. Slice the clementines crosswise. Prepare basil vinaigrette.

For this, combine basil, vinegar, clementine juice, salt, and pepper in a blender or a food processor. Blend it until smooth. Now arrange clementines, tomatoes, and onions slices, making a concentric circle by placing them over each other.

Sprinkle pomegranate seeds. Drizzle the prepared basil vinaigrette. You can add bocconcini cheese or crumbled feta cheese for more protein in the salad. You can serve it as it is or with grilled chicken or fish.

5. Spiced Cuties Clementine Cranberry Sauce

Spiced Cuties clementine cranberry sauce is a delicious and easy recipe at home. For this, you will need the zest of Cuties clementines along with Cuties clementines juice.

Take a pan and mix the zest and juice of Cuties clementines, sugar, honey, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Boil them over medium-high heat. Remove cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Now add cranberries and boil it again.

Now cook it for 8-10 mins over slow heat until the cranberries pop out and burst. Sprinkle the zest and let it cool.

Please put it in the refrigerator for two hours and let it chill. You can also refrigerate it in an airtight container and preserve it for a week.

Cuties Vs. Halos | Which Is Tastier?

Despite the fact that both are mandarins, their taste differs because of the different times of harvesting. Cuties are sweeter, whereas Halos are more acidic. As cuties are primarily sweet, therefore they are tastier than Halos. 

Cuties Vs. Halos | Which Is Healthier?

When it comes to health benefits, both possess equal quantities of nutrient content. Cuties are less acidic and contain higher protein content as compared with Halos.

On the other hand, Halos are high in fat. So, Cuties are healthier than Halos.

 Cuties Vs. Halos | Which Is Versatile?

Cuties and Halos are different brands producing mandarins, but as we all know, cuties are available throughout the year and have three different varieties. In contrast, Halos are available for only 6-7 months and have two different types. Therefore Cuties are more versatile than Halos.

Cuties Vs. Halos | Which Is Better?

Clearly, Cuties are tastier, healthier, and more versatile than Halos; therefore, cuties are better than Halos in most aspects. Many people prefer Cuties because they are sweet and always available.

Conclusion

Whether you buy Halos or Cuties, one thing is for sure you are going to love them. These are small and seedless sweet mandarins; the best part is that they are easy to peel.

Now we all know these two are one or the same thing but with different brandings.

You can get them in your nearby stores and enjoy other recipes from them. We will be back with more information like this for you. Until then, make some salads using Halos or Cuties and enjoy the healthy and tasty mandarins

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