I’m trying to add a variety of fruits to my diet and while I like oranges, I dislike if they’re difficult to peel, are dry and ‘grainy’ or have pits. I like those juicy little mandarins, but there are typically 2-3 seeds per tiny segment – boo! After last weekend’s visit to the grocery store – I found the answer – Sumo Citrus.
What is a Sumo?
It’s a new citrus varietal, developed in Japan and now being grown on family farms in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Sumos are a cross between a mandarin and some orange varietals and, in appearance, look like a giant mandarin with that distinct shape that makes it easy to peel. There are also seedless and incredibly juicy – winning!
The season for Sumos is limited to between February through May. That’s the only bummer about them.
Healthy Discovery
I mentioned these were a healthy treat and they are. They’re naturally sweet with low levels of acidity which is great for folks with sensitive stomachs, a good source of vitamin C, have no saturated fat or cholesterol and a good source of fiber.
Premium Quality
Sumo trees are hand-pruned and the fruit is hand thinned to allow the ideal number of fruit for the best flavor possible. Each sumo is picked and packed individually by hand, to avoid damage and ensure quality. I got my sumos in a small crate which I understand is environmentally-friendly and made from 100% recyclable materials.
Are Sumo oranges available nationwide? Not yet, but here’s a list of places where Sumo oranges are sold. Note my grocery store isn’t on this list, yet, I was able to find them there.
Let me know what you think if you buy some!
Cheers,
Veronique
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