Sumo oranges

Sumo oranges (dekopon) are a Japanese cultivar from 1972—a cross between kiyomi tangor and ponkan mandarin. The distinctive bump was initially considered ugly and they flopped commercially for two decades. In the late 90s, a growers' cooperative figured out a curing process that ensured consistent sweetness.

The easy peel trait is genetic. The albedo (white pith) naturally separates from the flesh, so the rind practically falls off. The segment membranes are also thinner than most mandarins—less fiber, more juice release.

Sumo oranges arrived in the US in 2011, marketed as "Sumo Citrus" by a California grower who licensed the cultivar. They have a short season (January–April), are usually hand-harvested, individually wrapped, fragile, and don’t ship well—hence, $3-4 per fruit.

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