FAQs

The name “Cuties” comes from their adorably small size and super-sweet taste that kids and adults love! Each Cutie is perfectly sized for small hands and lunchboxes.

Cuties® revolutionized the mandarin orange market by combining exceptional sweetness with easy-peel convenience. Their kid-friendly size and absence of seeds made them an instant hit with families.

Please contact us here with any details and we’ll reach out if it’s a fit. Contact Us | Cuties Citrus

Cuties® are sweet, seedless, easy-to-peel mandarin oranges that come in a convenient snack size.

They’re actually three varieties of mandarins:

• Clementines (available November – January)

• Tangos (available February – April)

• W. Murcotts (also available February – April)

Cuties® are available from November through April:

• Clementine varieties are available November-January

• Tango varieties are available February-April

• W. Murcott varieties are available February-April

There are three varieties of Cuties®

– Clementine
– Tango
– W. Murcott

Which one you find in the grocery store will depend upon the growing season.

Clementines are a varietal of mandarin oranges. They are a sweet-to-eat, easy-to-peel fruit, making them a popular snack choice across all ages because clementines are seedless, sweet and juicy.

They’ve also earned the nickname “Christmas Oranges” because they’re available November through January and a common sight during the winter months.

Think of mandarins as the awesome parent family and clementines as one of their equally awesome (but slightly different) kids!

Mandarins are the broader category, while clementines are a specific variety of mandarin that tends to be seedless, super sweet, and wonderfully easy to peel. Basically, they’re mandarin perfection. Depending on the season, your bag of Cuties might contain clementines or other delicious mandarin varieties, but they’re all selected for that perfect peel-easy experience and sweet-but-not-too-sweet flavor that makes tiny fingers reach for “just one more.” And honestly, whether you call them mandarins, clementines, or just “those little oranges” (we’ve all been there in the grocery store!), what matters most is the golden moment when you share them together.

Check out the Where to Buy section of the website for a list of retailers.

While every grocery store layout is different, you’re usually guaranteed to find them in the produce section.

Please use our store locator to find the nearest store carrying your favorite mandarins — Cuties®!

No, we do not ship direct to consumers. Please use our store locator to find the closest store carrying your favorite mandarins! (Errr, that’s us.)

You can use online grocery delivery services and apps, like Instacart, to see if there are local stores selling Cuties® that will deliver to you.

Cuties® trees are not available for sale directly from us.

But if you’re really keen on growing Cuties®-style mandarin oranges, near fear! Visit your local nursery and they can help you select a citrus variety that is right for your garden and climate.

(Or you can just buy Cuties® at your local store!)

Depending on the size, one Cuties® orange (approx. 84g) contains about 45 calories, making it a perfect lightweight snack that naturally satisfies sweet cravings.

Absolutely! Cuties are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. One Cutie provides about 35% of the daily recommended vitamin C intake for kids. They’re naturally sweet, making them a healthy alternative to processed snacks.

We offer organic Cuties® in select markets. Look for the orange Cuties® bag with the USDA organic seal on specially marked packages.

Nope! The sweetness in Cuties® is 100% natural. They contain no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. 😊

Absolutely! A serving size is about 168g (about two Cuties® clementines) contain a whopping 70% daily value of Vitamin C.

A serving size is about 168g (about two clementines) and contains

• 90 calories

• 0.5g fat

• 22g carbohydrates

• 3g fiber

• 18g natural sugars

• 1g protein

• 70% daily value of Vitamin C

• 45% daily value of Vitamin A

• 7% daily value of Potassium (280mg)

• 4% daily value of Magnesium

• 0mg sodium

All that plus small amounts of potassium, folate, and calcium!

Vitamin C is a powerhouse nutrient that helps boost immunity, promotes healthy skin, and aids in iron absorption.

For kids, it’s especially important for healthy growth and development. One Cuties® mandarin orange provides about 35% of daily Vitamin C needs!

Cuties® are an excellent snack for kids. They are portion-controlled, all natural and a great source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

One Cuties® clementine has about 40 calories, 1 gram of protein, 8 grams of natural sugar and is loaded with 200 mg of potassium, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and no fat.

By comparison, a medium-sized banana has 110 calories, 19 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber.

As always, every child is different. No two child has the same metabolism or caloric needs. Consult your family physician to to help determine the perfect portion specific to your child’s needs.

Yes. Cuties® are 100% vegan. Prior to shipping, they are coated with a plant-based wax, like many fruits and vegetables you find in the grocery store, in order to help them maintain their moisture and freshness during transportation.

Yes! Cuties® are loaded with vitamin C and other antioxidants that support immune system function. Regular consumption can help maintain a healthy immune system, especially during cold and flu season.

Definitely! At just 40 calories each, Cuties® are a perfect portion-controlled snack. Their fiber content helps you feel fuller longer, and their natural sweetness can satisfy sugar cravings without added sugars.

As always, consult your family physician if your child’s weight management is a concern.

While Cuties® oranges contain about 7g of natural sugar per fruit, these sugars come packaged with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Unlike processed snacks, natural sugars in Cuties® are released slowly into your bloodstream, which helps maintain steady energy levels.

Yes! Cuties® provide quick-digesting natural carbs to replenish energy, plus potassium and other electrolytes that can help with recovery after exercise.

They’re also hydrating. Cuties® mandarins contain about 87% water. For those with active kids in sports, Cuties® mandarins are a great post-sport kid snack!

Vitamin C is known to help promote collagen production, which is essential for healthy, glowing skin. The antioxidants in Cuties® oranges also help protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors.

Absolutely! Cuties® are an excellent source of folate, which is crucial during pregnancy for proper fetal development. They’re also a safe, natural way to satisfy pregnancy cravings while getting important nutrients.

FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols. They are a type of carbohydrates that can cause digestive issues in some people.

While citrus fruits can be tricky for some, Cuties® are generally considered low FODMAP in small portions (1-2 fruits).

If you are following a strict low FODMAP diet, however, please consult your healthcare provider.

Cuties® are free from all major allergens (no nuts, dairy, soy, wheat, etc.). But there are those with citrus allergies. While rare, they do exist. If you suspect a citrus allergy, consult your healthcare provider.

Cuties® are typically sold in:

• 3-count snack pack
• 2lb bags
• 3lb bags
• 5lb bags

For the bags, there are are approximately 6-10 mandarins per pound depending on the size of the Cuties® orange.

Since we offer three different mandarin varieties throughout the season, you might notice slight variations in size and color. All varieties, however, maintain our high standards for sweetness and easy peeling.

Look for the Cuties® brand name of course! 🎉 That and the iconic Lil' Zipper character on the front to ensure you are getting the highest quality experience.

Keep Cuties® in the refrigerator crisper drawer for maximum freshness. They’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks when refrigerated.

Sure! Cuties® can be stored at room temperature for about a week. Just keep them away from direct sunlight and heat.

Fresh Cuties® should feel firm and heavy for their size. The skin should be orange and slightly glossy, without any soft spots or mold.

We’re committed to sustainable farming practices. Our orchards use efficient drip irrigation systems, and we’re constantly working to reduce water usage and implement eco-friendly pest management strategies.

Yes! Cutie peels are completely compostable and make excellent additions to both home and industrial compost systems.

Mandarin oranges have naturally loose skin. This is what makes Cuties® so easy to peel. But we’ve enhanced this natural characteristic through careful variety selection and optimal growing conditions to make Cuties® mandarin oranges even easier to peel!

Some people call it magic! Others call it parthenocarpy. Either way, it means you can enjoy every juicy segment without interruption. No seeds, no fuss, just pure Cuties® goodness!

In all seriousness, Cuties® are naturally seedless, but they need a little help from their clever farmer friends to stay that way.

If bees bring pollen from other citrus trees, it can lead to seeds. So, our farmers use special techniques to prevent pollination by keeping those busy bees away!

It’s all part of our mission to keep Cuties® perfectly seedless and ready to enjoy! 😊

Seeds in your Cuties®? You’ve won the Cutie Lottery! 🎉 Okay, maybe not.

Cuties® are known for being seedless and we work hard to keep it that way. But sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. 🌳

We do our best to prevent cross-pollination of our trees with other seeded varieties of citrus in the area. To do so, we use netting while our seedless mandarin trees are in bloom. However, this is not fool-proof, and sometimes these nets are damaged by high winds allowing bees to cross-pollinate our trees.

Since there is no way to detect for seeds, we cut “test lots” checking for seeds before we pack our fruit. Despite our best efforts, when packing millions of mandarins, some seeded fruit occasionally slips through. But don’t worry, it’s totally natural and those seeds are harmless.

Absolutely! Cuties® are great in salads, smoothies, baked goods, and even savory dishes. They add a bright, sweet flavor to any recipe. Visit our recipe page for some great ideas!

While fresh is best, you can freeze peeled Cutie segments in an airtight container for up to 6 months. They’re perfect for smoothies, popsicles, and mandarin orange sorbets!

Mandarin peels are edible and they do contain beneficial oils. Still many people find them quite bitter. We recommend using the zest for cooking but not eating the whole peel.

But we’re not one to yuck anyone’s yum! 😊

We’re constantly updating our frequently asked questions. Bookmark this page and check back often.

If you have any questions about Cuties® that aren’t answered here — or any of our social channels — please reach out to us.