Owari Satsuma Mandarin Orange

Owari Satsuma is the most common Satsuma Mandarin in the United States and is considered the standard Satsuma Mandarin and one of the finest. The strain of Owari prevalent in California, the Frost Owari, dates back to 1916.

Taste Test Results for Owari Satsuma Mandarin Orange

A November 2014 citrus taste test compared Owari Satsuma with 17 other Satsuma Mandarin varieties. All were grown in California's central valley. Tasters found Owari Satsuma to have good flavor and texture. It was easy to peel, seedless, and sweet with a hint of acidity for flavor. On a scale from 1 to 9, the Owari Satsuma scored 6.4, between “good, above average” (6) and “very good” (7).

In the taste test, Owari came in fifth place among the 18 Satsuma varieties. Undoubtedly timing was a factor in the results. Owari is considered a mid-season Satsuma and some of the other varieties are earlier; had the test been later the Owari may have placed higher.

I currently have an Owari Satsuma tree in my garden. Based upon the taste test results, I am planning to graft Okitsu Wase Satsuma (first place) and Xie Shan Satsuma (third place) to my Owari tree.