Kagawa Obara Beniwase Mandarin (Kagawa): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Greenhouse fruit is available from late June, and open-field fruit from mid-November to mid-January.

Timing shifts with the weather and conditions in each region.

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

Kagawa Obarabeniwase Mikan is a Citrus unshiu belonging to “Obarabeniwase”. The color of pericarp is distinctive grenadine, and it is said that Kagawa Obarabeniwase Mikan has the deepest red orange color among approximately 100 varieties of Citrus unshiu produced in Japan. The taste is well balanced with sweetness and sourness.

Link with the production area

“Obarabeniwase” was discovered in the citrus orchard of Mr. Obama located in Kagawa Prefecture’s Sakaide City. Kagawa Prefecture has long hours of sunlight and warm temperature due to the Seto Island Sea Climate in addition to the low amount of rainfall in summer and autumn. Therefore, high quality citrus has been produced in Kagawa Prefecture since the old timesThe production area has worked to improve the quality and multiply the nursery trees of Kagawa Obarabeniwase Mikan since.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s54.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

Find on furusato nozei (opens in a new tab)Find online (opens in a new tab)

These links go to Japanese-language shops; check whether they ship overseas.

Some shop links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Saplings are also sold under the same variety name, so check the listing when buying the fruit.

FAQ

A satsuma mandarin from Kagawa Prefecture with a vivid deep red peel, said to be the reddest of the roughly 100 satsuma varieties grown in Japan. It comes from a red bud mutation found by chance in Sakaide City and developed locally. Sweetness and acidity are well balanced.

Kagawa Obara Beniwase Mandarin is produced in Kagawa Prefecture.

Kagawa Obara Beniwase Mandarin is in season (harvested or shipped) in Jun–Jan. Greenhouse fruit is available from late June, and open-field fruit from mid-November to mid-January.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) and online shops. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Kagawa Obara Beniwase Mandarin was registered as a Geographical Indication on December 15, 2017 (Registration No. 54). The registered producer group is Kagawa Prefecture Agricultural Cooperative.