What is Sumo Citrus and Why You Should Eat It?

As a college student eating at the dining halls, the only options for fruit were apples, bananas, and oranges. I never took the oranges because they were impossible to peel; the rind would get stuck under my nail and sometimes I even had to use a knife to cut it open. In high school, I’d eat California mandarins before sports practice, but I’d always need to bring 3-4 of them for a serving. Then, about a year ago, I discovered Sumo Citrus. Enormous and easy-to-peel, Sumo Citrus solved my problems of not being able to peel an orange and eating 3-4 smaller mandarins to feel satisfied. Its sweetness reminded me of the satsuma oranges my grandpa grew in his backyard. Not only does Sumo Citrus make life easier, it makes it sweeter, and you should eat it too! 

These past few months, you may have seen large grocery displays of purple boxes and a large, orange fruit with a little knot on top. That’s Sumo Citrus, also known as dekopon in Japan.

What is Sumo Citrus?

Sumo Citrus is a hybrid of the kyomi and ponkan citrus that was developed in Japan in 1972 (1). It was developed by a farmer who was obsessed with growing to the highest standards. Now it is cultivated by farmers in California who share that same passion. Since the fruit came to the United States, California farmers have had 20 years of experience with Sumo Citrus. Because the fruit is delicate and bruises easily, it is the most difficult citrus to grow. Growers even apply a natural clay to it as a sunscreen in the summer months. Sumo Citrus is such high-quality because of the extra care and handling it receives. The trees are groomed by hand, each piece of fruit is hand-picked, placed in a container, and carefully transported to a custom packing house to gently box Sumo Citrus. Everyone involved in the supply-chain is working to ensure that Sumo Citrus arrives to you just how it was when picked off the tree.

Why You Should Eat It

Let’s talk about nutrition! As a nutrition science dietetics major, I study everything from metabolism of nutrients, to organic chemistry to food service management. Sumo Citrus is high in vitamin C. Important for forming and maintaining bones, skin, and blood vessels, Vitamin C is an essential vitamin (2). Because our body cannot make vitamin C itself, we have to get it from exogenous sources such as food and vitamin supplements, like Sumo Citrus. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning that it prevents the formation of free radicals that can cause oxidative stress on our cells and damage them. Although the sugar content of Sumo Citrus is high, you should not be worried. Because you are eating the whole fruit, it retains the fiber, unlike a fruit juice, which aids in digestion and does not result in an immediate spike in blood sugar.

From my major, you can probably guess that I love eating healthy snacks. Sumo Citrus is my #healthyobsession and the perfect afternoon snack for when I’m studying. As the peel falls off easily, it’s a no-mess snack, and I don’t have to worry about washing my hands when switching from taking notes to eating a piece of Sumo Citrus.

How to Eat It

Sumo Citrus is great on its own as a snack, or a topping for salads, yogurt, and smoothie bowls. You can even make Sumo Citrus into a dessert by dipping it into melted chocolate and then topping it with some sea salt flakes.

Where to Get It

Find Sumo Citrus in a grocery store near you. Catch it while you can, as it’s only in season from January to April! 

This post is sponsored by Sumo Citrus®.