Moroccan tangerine

The tangerine's story is inseparable from Morocco's historic port of Tangier. During the 19th century, European traders discovered this loose-skinned citrus at Moroccan markets and began exporting it to ports across the continent. The fruit proved so distinctive from ordinary oranges that merchants named it after Tangier itself. Morocco's citrus industry flourished under French colonial influence in the early 20th century, with groves expanding across the Gharb plain and foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Perfumers in Grasse, France—the historic heart of European perfumery—began incorporating Moroccan tangerine oil into compositions during this period, valuing its sweeter, more complex character compared to other citrus oils. Today, Morocco remains a significant producer of citrus for fragrance, with groves spanning thousands of hectares in regions like Berkane and El Jadida, continuing a tradition that began at the crossroads of Mediterranean trade.