Satsuma Mandarin Tree - Citrus unshiu

The Satsuma Mandarin Tree, in Latin Citrus unshiu, is one of the hardiest citrus trees, a well-established bush resistant to temperatures as low as -8/10°C. This Japanese variety is also highly valued for its excellent productivity and the early ripeness of its fruits. Its small, juicy and tangy seedless mandarins can be consumed while still green, before the arrival of cold weather. This citrus tree also charms in spring with its abundant fragrant flowering, and in winter with its beautiful dark green foliage, complemented by a graceful, slightly trailing habit. It is well adapted to ground cultivation in regions with mild winters and does not require excessive heat to ripen its fruits. It can also be grown in a large pot on the terrace, being sheltered from frost during winter.This citrus tree is a vigorous shrub with an overall upright habit but slightly trailing, belonging to the Rutaceae family. It is a very ancient mutation of C. reticulata, which occurred in Japan in 1429. This small tree generally reaches a height of 2.50 m (8ft) and spreads over approximately 1.50 m (5ft), depending on the growing conditions. It produces numerous branches each year, slightly trailing at their tips. With an excellent yield, this mandarin tree is cultivated for its delicious fruits. It blooms abundantly in March-April. It produces clusters of small white flowers with a pleasant neroli fragrance. These give way to fairly large fruits, with an average diameter of 6 cm (2in), flattened at the poles. Their rather thin skin, initially green, then yellow, eventually turns orange and has a slightly rough appearance. Ripening occurs before the onset of the orange colouration, induced by the cold. The fruit pulp, orange, translucent and juicy, is generally seedless. The fruits are harvested from September to November. The evergreen and aromatic leaves of this citrus tree are narrower than those of other mandarin trees. They are entire, lanceolate, with crenate margins, and have a shiny dark green colour.

The fruits are part of the ancestral culinary traditions of Japan. They are used fresh, in cooking as a substitute for lemon when still green. It is also a beautiful ornamental shrub whose flowering is enchanting in spring. While relatively hardy for a citrus tree, it should be kept in mind that it will only thrive and bear fruit properly in a sheltered location. In Asia, the fruits are often consumed while still green, or slightly tinged with orange at the base. In Japan, the segments are preserved in a sugar syrup. When the satsumas are cut in half, the contrast between the bright orange pulp and the still green skin is a feast for the eyes. It is recommended to let the fruit ripen for at least one week, at 20°C, before consuming it: its flesh will become sweeter and more delicious. To determine if your mandarin is ripe, check that its concave base is soft, the skin is shiny with open pores, and the fruit feels heavy. An overripe fruit will have a swollen skin that no longer adheres to the segments. Satsuma mandarins are mainly consumed fresh, at any time of the day, or in vitamin-packed fruit cocktails.

Like all Citrus trees, the Satsuma Mandarin Tree contains in its leaves, flowers and fruits visible essential oil pouches, which are extracted by distillation (flowers and leaves) or by pressing (peel) to obtain essential oil with sedative properties, helping to combat stress and insomnia. The fragrance of the essential oil is described as sweet and floral, and is particularly pleasing to children.

Most citrus trees thrive in open ground in Mediterranean coastal regions, where they have the necessary warmth all year round. However, in order to bear fruit well, they must not lack water or nutrients. Relatively hardy, the Satsuma Mandarin Tree may lose its leaves at -7°C, but a well-established specimen will easily recover in spring, although fruiting for the year may be compromised. This hardiness is only valid when frosts are brief, the shrub is sheltered from cold winds, and temperatures rise significantly during the day. It is a self-fertile bush which means that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting.