Latin name: Citrus unshiu

A variety of Japanese fruit known also as a Mandarin orange, with a taste and size often similar to a tart tangerine. Personally, I prefer the smaller mikan, as they tend to have more flavor. Most grown today in Japan are seedless and are very easy to peel and eat on the spot.

Originally known as "Tokijikuno-Kagunokonomi," this fruit was imported from China around the 8th century. Since then a variety of purely Japanese cultivars have been developed. I first experienced them in Shizuoka, but they are also specialties of Ehime, Wakayama and Saga prefectures.


References:
http://www.shizuoka.isp.ntt-west.co.jp/wnn-c/saihakken/syun2000_01E/mikan01.html
http://rimmo.mur.csu.edu.au/Plantnames/Sorting/Citrus_2.html

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