What Makes Our Satsumas So Sweet

Every year we provide delicious, tree-ripened citrus, and some winters the fruit tastes truly exceptional. Two things make the difference: the age of the trees and the cool weather.

1. The Maturity of the Trees

Each tree needs time to mature to create great-tasting fruit. For peach trees, it takes about three years. For citrus, it takes eight to ten years to reach its peak, and our trees have reached that zone.

2. Chill Hours

Citrus needs to experience “chill hours” to sweeten, particularly cold nights. Chill hours are when temperatures are below 45 degrees. The Satsuma mandarin requires about 300 chill hours for proper fruit production. Cold weather sweetens citrus by reducing its acid content and concentrating sugars.

Cold weather also gives the citrus their rich color. When a cold snap reaches down to our citrus farm in Monticello, Florida, it can cause a real scare: as the temperature drops toward freezing, the farmers worry the fruit will freeze. But a cold night like that is exactly what produces sweeter, more brightly colored Satsumas.

But don’t worry! Even if the temperature drops below freezing, the farms have a plan. They use irrigation systems to protect the crop. The fruit is sprayed with water which, when it freezes, produces heat. This heat keeps the fruit at about 32 (F) degrees. It might seem counterproductive, but the frozen water is enough to preserve the fruit safely on the inside.

If you haven’t tasted a Satsuma mandarin, it’s a sweet and tangy variety that is everything you want: seedless, easy to peel, and bursting with flavor. Our partner farm Florida Georgia Citrus is led by Kim Jones, one of the most dedicated and innovative growers we’ve ever met.

The first Satsumas of the season are good, and they get even sweeter as the cold sets in. Come taste the difference for yourself.