Kishu Mandarin Tree

The Kishu Mandarin is a small citrus fruit with an enormous history. Packed with flavor and convenience, the fruit has lasted as a favorite of both the Chinese and the Japanese for almost two thousand years.

Known by a variety of different names, the Kishu first is described during the Tang dynasty around (618 to 907 AD). Then called the Ruju, the fruit is a seeded selection with outstanding flavor; by the era of the Song dynasty (960 to 1279) it is hailed as one of the finest of Mandarins. DNA has shown the modern day Kishu and the Ruju, or Nanfengmiju as it is referred to today, to be very similar. It is currently one of the most widely grown Mandarins in China.

Arriving in Japan around 700 years ago, the Cherry Orange as it was called, began to be cultivated and was soon referred to as the Japanese Orange. By the 16th century, the Kishu domain, a location in the southern part of Japan, was the prime region for the Japanese Orange and most likely the origin of the varieties name. Kishu is said to be one of the most popular citrus varieties in Japan until the 1880's, with the introduction of the Satsuma Mandarin. At this time, at least 4 varieties of Kishus are known, with 4 being seeded and 1 being seedless.

It wasn't until the early 1900's that seed began to arrive in the United States. The Mukaku Kishu seeds, a highly prized, low seeded, Japanese selection, was brought to California in 1915. Once fruited, it is determined that the fruit is too small and not suited for commercial cultivation. There are recommendations made that the variety is suited for home garden as early as 1902, but the Kishu Mandarin would not be looked at again until the 1990's.

In the early 1980's, bud wood for the Seedless Kishu arrive at UC Riverside's Citrus Variety Collection. Once fruited the selection fast becomes a favorite of the UC Riverside Staff. The fine flavor, the ease of peeling and the small snack size fruit were all exciting features to the UC Staff. The fact that it was earlier than the most popular Satsuma Mandarin only added to its potential.

Finally, in 1987, a commercial grower in Ojai, California planted the first seedless Kishu orchard. The fruit was an immediate hit at farmers markets. The demand grows quickly, attracting 5 or more growers to plant as well. In the late 1990's, the Four Winds Growers of Fremont, California begin offering the low seeded Kishu to the home garden market. The variety is slow to catch on at first, but with the help of commercial exposure, demand begins to grow.

Today, the low Seeded and Seedless varieties are both offered, with some preferring the seeded claiming a more intense flavor. In either case, the Kishu Mandarin is now a much appreciated, early season fruit, and will continue to grow in popularity based on the attributes that have made it popular for the last two thousand years.