Oranges
I’ve always had a soft spot for oranges. Juicy, bright, and packed with flavor, they feel like a burst of sunshine in fruit form. Whether I’m tossing slices into a salad or peeling one on a lazy afternoon, oranges never disappoint. But here’s something fun—there’s a whole citrus family (and even a few outliers) that look like oranges and could easily be mistaken for one at first glance. Some are sweeter, some tangier, and others come with a zesty surprise.
If you’ve ever wondered which fruits resemble oranges on the outside (or even on the inside), this list will guide you through the world of orange doppelgängers—many of which might become your new favorites.
1. Tangerines
Tangerines are probably the most commonly mistaken for oranges. They’re slightly smaller, with a deep orange skin that peels more easily than a traditional orange. Their flavor is sweeter and less acidic—perfect for snacking.
2. Mandarins
Mandarins are the broader family to which tangerines, clementines, and satsumas belong. They look just like small oranges, with thinner peels and a slightly flattened shape. Their sweet, juicy flesh makes them a hit with kids and adults alike.
3. Clementines
Clementines are glossy, smooth, and seedless—often sold in mesh bags around the holidays. Their bright orange hue and petite size give them a striking resemblance to mini oranges.
4. Satsumas
Satsumas are soft-skinned and delicate, often with a slightly loose peel that almost falls off by itself. Visually, they mirror small, squat oranges, and their intensely sweet flavor makes them highly desirable.
5.Calamondins (Calamansi)
These tiny citrus fruits resemble baby oranges, but don’t be fooled—their flavor is tart and intense, more like a lemon or lime. Still, their orange-like skin and round shape make them deceptive lookalikes.
6. Kumquats
Kumquats are oval or round, about the size of a grape, and have a vibrant orange color. Unlike oranges, you eat them whole—skin and all! The skin is sweet while the inside is sour, making them a fun flavor twist.
Also Discover: 12 Fruits Similar to Kumquats
7. Grapefruit
Grapefruit can be large and round with orange-pink skin, making them look like oversized oranges. Once cut open, their pink or ruby red flesh reveals their true identity—but on the outside, they can easily pass for a cousin of the orange.
8. Ugli Fruit (Jamaican Tangelo)
With its rough, wrinkled skin, the Ugli fruit isn’t the prettiest—but its color and size resemble a lumpy orange. A hybrid of orange, grapefruit, and tangerine, it delivers a sweet and tangy flavor.
9. Tangelo (Minneola, Orlando)
Tangelos are easily confused with oranges but have a distinguishing bump at the stem end. Their skin is orange and glossy, and they offer a juicy, tart-sweet flavor that’s somewhere between a tangerine and grapefruit.
10. Sweet Lemons (Limettas)
Despite their name, sweet lemons look more like pale oranges. Their light orange or yellow skin and round shape make them citrus twins, but their flavor is much milder and subtly sweet.
11. Blood Oranges
On the outside, blood oranges look just like regular oranges. But inside? They reveal a dramatic deep red or maroon flesh. The flavor is sweet with berry-like notes, adding a layer of surprise to their familiar look.
12. Navel Oranges
These are the classic oranges you find in supermarkets. They’re round, vibrant, and easily identifiable by the small “navel” at the blossom end. Sweet, seedless, and great for eating out of hand.
13. Seville Oranges (Bitter Oranges)
Seville oranges look just like navel or Valencia oranges but pack a sour, bitter punch. They’re commonly used in marmalade and traditional cooking rather than eaten fresh.
14. Kinnow
Popular in South Asia, the Kinnow resembles a deep orange mandarin and has a rich citrus aroma. Its peel and size make it almost identical to an orange, though it tends to have more seeds.
15. Ripe Sudachi
Sudachi are typically green when used, but when ripe, they turn a yellow-orange hue. At that stage, they resemble small oranges, although their tart flavor still leans more toward lime.
16. Orangelo (Chironja)
This grapefruit-orange hybrid looks like an orange with a slightly smoother, thinner rind. It peels easily and offers a sweet, juicy flavor that’s more palatable than grapefruit.
17. Iyokan
A Japanese citrus fruit that’s almost indistinguishable from an orange at first glance—same shape, same color. It’s slightly larger, with a sweet and tangy flavor that’s deeply aromatic.
18. Orangequat
A hybrid of orange and kumquat, this small, round citrus fruit has the same bold orange color as its parents. You can eat the peel, and its taste is both sweet and tart.
19. Pomelo
Pomelos can be enormous and pale green or yellow, but some varieties ripen into a light orange color. Their shape and citrus aroma are orange-like, though their thick rind sets them apart.
20. Oroblanco
This pomelo-grapefruit hybrid can look like a pale orange on the outside, especially when ripe. It’s round and citrus-scented, with a mild, sweet flavor.
21. Chironja
Another name for Orangelo, this Puerto Rican citrus variety combines the look of an orange with the size of a grapefruit. Sweet, aromatic, and juicy—it looks like an orange turned up a notch.
22. Ichang Lemon
While it’s technically more lemon than orange, ripe Ichang Lemons often develop a rounder, orange-like shape and hue. Their rugged rind makes them look like rustic oranges from a distance.
23. Hyuganatsu
This Japanese citrus fruit is bright yellow to pale orange and looks like a slightly faded orange. Its skin peels like an orange, and its taste is light, sweet, and refreshing.
24. Abiu
Not a citrus fruit, but surprisingly similar in appearance to an orange when ripe. Round and golden-yellow with a smooth skin, it resembles an orange in shape and glow, but its flavor is closer to caramel flan.
25. Yuzu
When fully ripe, yuzu can turn a deep yellow-orange. Its size and shape are orange-like, though its rough skin gives it away. It’s extremely aromatic and prized for its zest and juice.