Owari satsuma is a mid to late-season variety. It has quite a flat shape, and, depending on the climatic zone, can have a small neck. Its peel is easy to remove and the bright-orange seedless flesh is sweet, plump and juicy with an attractive tender, melting mouth-feel.
Growers like Owari because it is cold-hardy, has excellent fruit quality and is highly productive. However, it tends to produce small fruit which do not hang on the tree for long after maturity.
Consumers looking for the unique ‘satsuma’ experience of plump, juicy segments with a slight tang and metallic note, will thoroughly enjoy Owari at its best.
Good Fruit Guide Rating: *****
Names: Owari; Citrus unshiu Marcovitch
Origin: Owari is an ancient variety of unknown Japanese origin. It is probably safe to assume that it came from the old Japanese province of Owari. It has been the most important satsuma variety across the global citrus regions, but is gradually being replaced by new varieties, often its own improved selections.
Grown in: Japan, Korea, California, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay, Peru, Argentina, South Africa.
Harvest & Availability: Maturity in California is early November to December; in Spain from Late October to December; in Japan from late November to December. Supplies of Owari to the UK are generally as follows:
- January: Turkey
- February:
- March:
- April:
- May:
- June: Peru, Uruguay
- July: Peru, Uruguay, South Africa
- August:
- September:
- October: Spain
- November: Spain
- December: Spain, Turkey
