Small,
sweet, juicy, virtually seedless, & easy to peel: Satsuma Mandarins
are definitely something to be thankful for! If you’ve never had them,
they are very similar in appearance to Clementine oranges, but juicier
& a bit bigger. Kids & adults alike adore them. They always
arrive in time for the holidays, to brighten up our fruit bowls &
lunch bags when the weather turns cold & gray.
Satsumas have been cultivated in Japan for at least 700
years. It is believed that they originated in the former province of
Satsuma on Kyushu Island, Japan (it was for this that the wife of the
U.S. Minister to Japan coined them “Satsuma” mandarins in 1878). They
were introduced into the U.S. in 1876 when somebody sent some trees to
Florida from Japan.
Now there are over 100 different cultivars of Satsumas
(Citrus unshiu). All of them are small to medium sized, low growing
& spreading trees. The trees are very long-lived & slow to
mature. It takes over 11 years after planting a grafted tree to start
harvesting a commercial crop. The hardiest of all Mandarin oranges,
they thrive in cool subtropical areas. They are still grown extensively
in Japan, but are also widely cultivated in Central China, New Zealand,
South Africa, Turkey, Spain, & South America. Here in the U.S.
they’re grown in Florida, Louisiana, & California.
From November through February we should have a steady
supply beautiful little Satsumas. Throughout the holiday season we will
carry 3# bags & 5 pound boxes of them in addition to bulk. Hint:
the 5 pound boxes make great gifts!!!