Prepare the Mandarins: Start by peeling firm mandarins. Remove the outer peel and all the white parts (albedo), which is fibrous but not needed for this recipe.
Jar Placement: Place the prepared mandarin segments into cleaned preserving jars.
Initial Soak: Pour boiling water into the jars, covering the mandarins. Seal the jars with their lids and let them sit for about 15 minutes.
Prepare the Syrup: After the mandarins have soaked, drain the water into a saucepan. Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, and sugar to the water and bring to a boil. This process doesn’t take long—just enough time to dissolve the sugar and infuse the spices into the syrup.
Fill the Jars: Remove the spices, then pour the hot spiced syrup back over the mandarins in the jars.
Seal and Cool: Tighten the lids on the jars and wrap them in a cloth or towel to cool down slowly.
Storage: Once cooled, store the jars in your pantry. These beautifully preserved mandarins are ready to be enjoyed any time of the year, ensuring you always have fresh mandarins on hand.
