




Satsuma Tangerines
Inventory, lb : 0
This item was last sold on : 01/07/23
Description/Taste
Satsuma mandarins are medium to large-sized citrus fruits shaped like flattened spheres. They measure between 6 and 10 centimeters wide and 2 to 3 centimeters tall. When ripe, Satsuma mandarins have an orange-red, somewhat leathery peel with prominent oil glands. The loose-fitting rind is full of volatile oils, which release a bright citrus aroma. The dark orange flesh is firm, extremely juicy, and has few to no seeds. They are considered the sweetest of all the citrus varieties though they do offer some acidity. In Japan, Satsuma growers will keep fruit in storage before it is sent to market, a process which reduces acid content, creating a better balance of sugar and tartness. Satsumas need to be handled with care; their loosely attached skins will bruise easily under slight pressure, which will affect the quality of the flesh.
Seasons/Availability
Satsuma mandarins are available in the early fall through winter months.
Current Facts
Satsuma mandarins, sometimes referred to as tangerines, are a variety of citrus that dates back to the 14th century. Botanically, they are members of Citrus reticulata, though they were first classified as Citrus unshiu by Japanese botanist Tyôzaburô Tanaka. In Japan, Satsuma mandarins are known as Unshû mikan and are characterized by their cold hardiness and early season harvest. Satsuma's nomenclature is said to have originated in 1878 when the wife of America’s then Minister to Japan, General Van Valkenberg, sent Unshu mikan trees from Japan to Florida in boxes labeled of its origin, Satsuma, Japan. There are hundreds of named cultivars of Satsuma mandarin, like the Miyagawa, Owari, Miho and Seto, each with differing maturity dates, size, color and quality.
Nutritional Value
Satsuma mandarins are rich in vitamins C and A. They are a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, and contain small amounts of copper, calcium and magnesium. Satsuma mandarins are a valuable source of flavonoid antioxidants such as naringenin, naringin and hesperetin, and pectin.
Applications
Satsuma mandarins are most commonly eaten fresh. They can be added to green salads or used in baked, frozen, or fresh dessert applications. Use Satsuma mandarin juice for cocktails or smoothies, or blend with other citrus juices. Pair with yogurt, endive, arugula, winter squash, and leeks. Use them alongside seafood, pork or chicken. Satsuma mandarins pair well with sweet and spicy flavors like soy, ginger, garlic, vanilla, honey, and olive oil. Satsuma mandarins will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days, and can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Satsuma mandarins have a low heat requirement and high cold tolerance, allowing them to grow in many places other citrus varieties cannot. The Satsuma mandarin variety was the basis for the mandarin industry in New Zealand. They provided an important, hardy crop, for fruit tree growers in the Sacramento area of California after a disease killed off most pear trees during a mid-20th-century blight. Satsuma mandarins are so important to the economy of Placer County, California, they are celebrated at the Mandarin Festival held annually in November.
Geography/History
Satsuma mandarins are native to Japan. They were a natural mutation discovered growing on a tree that was likely brought to Japan from Wenchow, China. Their Japanese name, Unshu, is believed to be a corruption of the name Wenchow. The early-ripening Unshu citrus was first recorded in Japan during the 14th century, not being introduced to the United States until 1876. The name 'Satsuma' was officially given to the fruits in the 1880's after mislabeled trees arrived in the United States. Satsuma was a former province in Japan, located on the southern tip of Kyushu Island, and where the mislabeled boxes were sent from. During the first decade of the 1900s, hundreds of Satsuma mandarins were sent to the Gulf Coast for planting. Severe frost and disease wiped nearly all of them out, though areas of Texas, Louisiana and northern Florida were able to maintain a small production of the fruit. Satsuma mandarins were subsequently brought to California where they found success in the fertile Central Valley. They remain the leading commercial citrus variety grown in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. Japan is still the world’s leading producer of Satsuma mandarins, exporting to both Canada and Europe.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Satsuma Tangerines. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Satsuma Tangerines using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Polito Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 3 days ago, 1/25/23 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Polito Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Polito Family Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 7 days ago, 1/21/23 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Polito Family Farms ![]() About 13 days ago, 1/15/23 Sharer's comments : At Heritage Family Farm ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 33 days ago, 12/26/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Rancho Del Sol Organics ![]() About 41 days ago, 12/18/22 Sharer's comments : at Carranza Citrus ![]() ![]()
Garcia Organic Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 45 days ago, 12/14/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Garcia Organic Farm ![]() ![]()
Garcia Organic Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-760-908-6251 About 52 days ago, 12/07/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 55 days ago, 12/04/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Garcia Organic Farm ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 62 days ago, 11/27/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Garcia Organic Farm ![]() ![]()
Valley Center Growers Inc.
Near Poway, California, United StatesEscondido, CA About 63 days ago, 11/26/22 ![]() ![]()
Gilbert & Lee farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesFallbrook CA 760-484-3819 About 70 days ago, 11/19/22 ![]() About 71 days ago, 11/18/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma tangerines are in season at Town & Country market Ballard , Seattle ![]() ![]()
Gilbert and Lee Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 76 days ago, 11/13/22 ![]() ![]()
Country Rhodes Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 77 days ago, 11/12/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Country Rhodes Family Farms ![]() ![]() About 197 days ago, 7/15/22 ![]() ![]()
Farmers Market
Near San Diego, California, United States600 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States About 259 days ago, 5/14/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines grown in San Diego area ![]() About 307 days ago, 3/27/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from García Organic Farm ![]() ![]()
Heritage Family Farm
Near Poway, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 322 days ago, 3/12/22 Sharer's comments : Last of the season, come and get them!! ![]() ![]()
Heritage Family Farm
Near San Diego, California, United StatesFallbrook, CA About 336 days ago, 2/26/22 ![]() ![]()
García Organic Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 336 days ago, 2/26/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from García Organic Farm ![]() ![]()
Behneman Farm
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesValley Center, CA About 349 days ago, 2/13/22 ![]() ![]()
Rancho México Lindo
Near Del Mar, California, United StatesValley Center, CA About 371 days ago, 1/22/22 ![]() ![]() About 377 days ago, 1/16/22 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Regier Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 384 days ago, 1/09/22 ![]() ![]()
Garcia Organic Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 395 days ago, 12/29/21 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Garcia Organic Farm ![]() ![]()
Troy Regier
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesDinuba, CA 1-559-779-4704 About 402 days ago, 12/22/21 ![]() ![]()
Lone Jack Orchard
Near Solana Beach, California, United StatesEncinitas, CA About 405 days ago, 12/19/21 ![]() ![]() About 405 days ago, 12/19/21 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Regier Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Troy Regier
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesDinuba, CA 1-559-779-4704 About 409 days ago, 12/15/21 ![]() ![]() About 412 days ago, 12/12/21 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Regier Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Polito Family Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesValley Center Pauma Valley, CA About 413 days ago, 12/11/21 ![]() ![]()
Troy Regier
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesDinuba, CA 1-559-779-4704 About 416 days ago, 12/08/21 ![]() ![]()
Garcia Organic Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 423 days ago, 12/01/21 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Mandarin from Garcia Organic Farm ![]() ![]() About 426 days ago, 11/28/21 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Regier Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Kens Top Notch Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 434 days ago, 11/20/21 ![]() ![]()
Lee Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 434 days ago, 11/20/21 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Lee Farms ![]() ![]()
Rodd's Produce Market
Near Summerlin South, Nevada, United StatesReedley, CA About 436 days ago, 11/17/21 ![]() ![]()
Troy Regier
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-559-779-4704 About 437 days ago, 11/17/21 ![]() ![]() About 439 days ago, 11/15/21 Sharer's comments : Satsuma Tangerines from Regier Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Troy Regier
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1-559-779-4704 About 444 days ago, 11/10/21 ![]() ![]()
Kens Top Notch Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 448 days ago, 11/06/21 ![]() ![]()
Macknades Fine Foods
Near Faversham, United KingdomSelling Road Faversham ME13 8XF England 441795534497 https://macknade.com/flagship About 486 days ago, 9/29/21 Sharer's comments : Also known as Nadacotts ![]() ![]() About 496 days ago, 9/19/21 ![]() ![]()
Regier Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 696 days ago, 3/03/21 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 704 days ago, 2/23/21 ![]() ![]() About 715 days ago, 2/12/21 Sharer's comments : Satsumas from Reiger Famiky Farms! |