Latin name:
Citrus unshiu
A variety of
Japanese fruit known also as a
Mandarin orange, with a taste and size often similar to a
tart tangerine. Personally, I prefer the smaller mikan, as they tend to have more flavor. Most grown today in
Japan are
seedless and are very easy to peel and eat on the spot.
Originally known as "Tokijikuno-Kagunokonomi," this
fruit was imported from
China around the 8th century. Since then a variety of purely Japanese
cultivars have been developed. I first experienced them in
Shizuoka, but they are also specialties of
Ehime,
Wakayama and
Saga prefectures.
References:
http://www.shizuoka.isp.ntt-west.co.jp/wnn-c/saihakken/syun2000_01E/mikan01.html
http://rimmo.mur.csu.edu.au/Plantnames/Sorting/Citrus_2.html