Citrus

“NipponFruit Co., Ltd. is a premier wholesale distributor of fresh, high-quality fruits. Our ‘Citrus’ collection introduces an exceptional range of Japanese citrus fruits: Mikan, Dekopon, and Banpeiyu, each with its distinct flavor profile and unique health benefits.

Mikan “Mandarin Orange” （みかん、温州みかん、蜜柑）

Internationally known as Satsuma mandarin, Mikan is a beloved citrus fruit in Japan, celebrated for its excellent balance of sweetness and tartness. Our Mikans, specifically harvested from Kumamoto Prefecture, boast an average sugar content of 11 degrees, offering exceptional sweetness. Easy to peel, filled with juicy segments, they are a delightful source of Vitamin C.

Kumamoto Prefecture Mikans

Mikan, also known as Satsuma mandarin, hailing from Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, offers a luxurious sweetness cultivated from the region’s warm climate and fertile soil. Each meticulously nurtured Mikan embodies a unique flavor and well-rounded sweetness, amplified by the region’s contrasting temperature differences.

Notably, these Mikans showcase a remarkable average sugar content of 11 degrees, revealing an exquisite sweetness that harmonizes perfectly with its refreshing tanginess. Once you indulge in the taste, it’s an unforgettable experience. With thin skin and juicy pulp, these Mikans are not only perfect for eating as they are but also make an excellent addition to desserts, salads, and various dishes.

Packed with Vitamin C, our Kumamoto Mikans are also beneficial for health. Known for supporting beautiful skin and boosting immune function, they make an excellent inclusion in your daily diet.

These Mikans are carefully cultivated by dedicated farmers in Kumamoto. We invite you to savor the sweetness, flavor, and unique taste of our Kumamoto Mikans – an experience not to be missed.

Karatsu Mikans – Produced in Saga Prefecture

Our ‘Karatsu Greenhouse Mandarin Oranges’ is a special delicacy delivered directly from JA Karatsu, Japan’s largest producer of greenhouse mandarins.

These Karatsu Greenhouse Mandarin Oranges are grown in a unique method that inverts the four seasons. They are harvested in early May when most mandarins bloom, and then they spend the harsh summer and cold winters within the greenhouse. This ensures a consistent flavor and quality throughout the year.

Cultivated with meticulous skills honed over 40 years, these greenhouse mandarins can be rightly referred to as works of art. The professional techniques that nurture these high-quality mandarins shine through in each fruit, offered as the highest-grade produce.

This ‘Karatsu Greenhouse Mandarin Oranges’ is a luxurious offering that packs the highest quality greenhouse mandarins cultivated with professional expertise into a 1kg package. Its deliciousness is perfect for enjoying a luxurious moment at home, and it is also sure to please when presented as a gift to your loved ones.

We have packed the rich flavors of Karatsu into each mandarin and filled a 1kg package. Please enjoy this extraordinary taste.

Product

Offering 2.5kg packs of Mikans from Kumamoto Prefecture, available from early November to late January.

Dekopon, Shiranui （デコポン、不知火）

Dekopon: A distinctive hybrid between Kiyomi and Ponkan, Dekopon is renowned for its sweet flavor and its characteristic bump on the top. Its rich, honey-like sweetness coupled with a subtle tartness provides an enticing flavor. Packed with Vitamin C, Dekopon supports immune health and skin wellness.

Dekopon is a variety of citrus known for its distinctive shape and taste. It’s characterized by its rich sweetness, refreshing aroma, and thin, easy-to-peel skin. The formal name of the fruit is ‘Shiranui,’ named after the town in Kumamoto Prefecture where it was first cultivated. However, the name ‘Dekopon’ is a registered trademark specifically for the highest quality and most delicious fruits of this variety. The production of Dekopon spans from Kyushu to Shizuoka, with over half being produced in Kumamoto and Ehime, while the rest is cultivated in other prefectures.

Dekopon is typically peeled by hand from the top and consumed fresh. The thin skin of the segments can also be eaten. The rind can be used to make juice, desserts, and marmalades. Even in baths, the pleasant aroma of the skin can be enjoyed. There may be individual differences in the appearance of the fruit, but this doesn’t affect the taste. The fruit has a relatively long storage life and can be used as decoration when stored in a cool, well-ventilated place. If storing in the refrigerator, it is recommended to keep it in a bag to prevent drying out. If the acidity is too strong, leaving it in a cool place for about 10 days will reduce the acidity, making it easier to eat.

Product

Kumamoto Prefecture Shiranui Dekopon, available in 3kg or 4kg packs. Available from late January to late March.

Banpeiyu （晩白柚）

Banpeiyu: One of the largest citrus fruits, Banpeiyu, also referred to as pomelo, presents a sweet and slightly bitter taste. The aromatic and generously-sized segments of Banpeiyu deliver a delightfully sweet and mild tart flavor, making it an excellent addition to salads and desserts.

At NipponFruit Co., Ltd., we are devoted to delivering the highest quality produce to our customers. Each citrus fruit is meticulously selected from trusted growers, ensuring the delivery of the freshest, most flavorful fruits. Immerse yourself in the unique taste and vitality of our ‘Citrus’ collection, a true embodiment of Japan’s rich agricultural heritage.”

History

Yaichi Shimada, a botanist from Toyo Village, Yatsushiro County, Kumamoto Prefecture, who was working at the Taiwan Governor’s Office, had a remarkable experience during his agricultural inspection trip to various South Pacific locations in the second year of the Taisho era.

While dining onboard a ship during his voyage, he tasted a soft and incredibly delicious white-fleshed pomelo. Impressed by its flavor, during his inspection of the Saigon Botanical Garden in South Vietnam, he acquired seedlings of this white-fleshed pomelo variety.

These were then planted at the Shilin Horticultural Experiment Station in Taiwan. The growing results were excellent and the soft, delicious flesh of the fruit was widely acclaimed. Yoshijiro Sakurai, a technician at the experiment station who grew this pomelo, named it ‘Banpeiyu’.

The name ‘Banpeiyu’ originated from the term ‘yuzu’ used to describe pomelos in Taiwan. As this variety matured late and had white flesh, it was thus called ‘Banpeiyu’ – ‘late’, ‘white’, ‘pomelo’.

In the fifth year of the Showa era, the first seedlings of this variety were introduced to the mainland at the Tarumizu Fruit Tree Experiment Station in Kagoshima Prefecture. Then, in the tenth year of the Showa era, due to Mr. Shimada’s generosity, cultivation began at the Kumamoto Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station. Following successful trials, it was discovered that the Yatsushiro region was most suitable for cultivation, and this led to widespread farming of the fruit.

Subsequently, efforts were made to unify the indigenous ‘Yatsushiro Pomelo’ with other varieties. Today, as one of the recommended citrus varieties of Kumamoto Prefecture, it’s so valuable that its cultivation is specifically encouraged in the Yatsushiro region. This highly prized fruit has contributed greatly to the development of regional agriculture.

Size

Banpeiyu is considered to be the largest fruit among the citrus family. Typically, it has a diameter of 20cm and weighs around 2kg. However, larger specimens can exceed 25cm in diameter and weigh more than 3kg.

There are generally four sizes of Banpeiyu that are commercially available, categorized as M, L, 2L, and 3L.

Certified by the Guinness World Records

As part of their learning curriculum, the students of the Horticulture Department at Yatsushiro Agricultural High School cultivated a Banpeiyu which, when harvested on December 5th, 2014, weighed 4,859.7g. In August 2015, this was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the heaviest pomelo.

In 2021, a Banpeiyu weighing 5,386g, produced by Kazuki Maeda in the Toyo Town of Yatsushiro City, was certified by the Guinness World Records as the heaviest pomelo in the world.

How to Enjoy Banpeiyu

1. Cut the top of the fruit’s skin with a knife.
2. Divide it into approximately eight vertical sections, cutting deep enough without damaging the flesh.
3. Remove each segmented piece.

To determine the best time to eat Banpeiyu, apply gentle pressure to its surface. If it feels soft and its rich aroma fills the room, it’s ready to be enjoyed. Please note that the quality may vary depending on the shipment time, so we recommend consuming it as soon as possible.

Product

Banpeiyu Extra-Large Size, available in packs of 2 or 4 fruits. Available from early December to late February.