Satsuma Oranges

 The Satsuma variety of the Mandarin Orange with a very thin skin covering juicy seedless segments may be the sweetest and most delicious oranges on the planet.

Many people believe Mandarin oranges are the sweetest and most delicious oranges on the planet. The Mandarin orange is just one variety of the orange family and it has many other names, some of which actually refer to crosses between the mandarin and another citrus fruits. Mandarins are also known as mandarines, and are usually eaten plain or in fruit salads. They are sometimes called tangerines as well, although that name is not an actual botanical classification. As good as Mandarin oranges are, there is one variety within the Mandarin group that may be the very best of the best, and that is the Satsuma, a seedless variety, and the source of most canned mandarins, and popular as a fresh fruit due to its comparative ease of consumption.

Satsumas are a late-fall favorite that features an easy-to-peel thin skin and juicy seedless segments inside, but their taste puts them into a class of their own when it comes to delicious citrus. The scientific binomial name of the Satsuma Mandarin orange is citrus reticulata blanco, but they are also often called Honey Citrus oranges or tangerines because they are so sweet. They are most often just eaten plain out of hand, but are also often used in salads where their sweet citrus flavor provide a tempering aspect to bitter greens. Satsumas also work well in jellies, jams and preserves due to their high brix (sugar) content. Many chefs have recognized the flavor components of Satsuma Mandarins also pair exceptionally well with fish like halibut, flounder, rockfish and other mild species.

Satsumas are usually available in markets beginning in October and are usually available through December a little past Christmas. The fruit early in the season will tend to be tart and it gets progressively sweeter as the holiday season approaches. The best fruits are slightly soft and heavy for their size, if they are very firm they tend to be a bit tart which is normal for early season picks, and the longer they stay on the tree, the sweeter they will become. They also develop more sugar when on the tree and this quality can also be their downfall in cases were the fruit has been on the tree too long as the higher the sugar level, the more they are prone to decay and mold. Satsuma Mandarins that have been on the tree too long are usually overly soft and will tend to develop decay spots on the inside that will first appear as a brown spots on the outside of the skin. However, once they have reached the preferred level of sweetness, placing them in the refrigerator will extend their shelf life.

The first satsumas will usually arrive at markets near the end of November just before the start of the holiday season and they can make a great edible holiday centerpiece to put on display. A box of organic Satsuma Mandarins makes a great fresh fruit gift that is also perfect for the holiday season, and in the colder months they can be delivered all over the U.S. as a unique gift that everyone will remember and ask for year after year. If you’re seeking the best of the best in oranges, the Mandarin Orange is the one you want.