Shiranui Mandarin Budwood

Citrus reticulata.

'Dekopon' is a highly sweet hybrid between ChungGyun mandarins and Ponkan that are grown in Japan and Korea, presumed to be first cultivated in the early 1990s. They have been increasingly common in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo.

'Dekopon' fruit is quite distinctive due to its sweet taste, large size and to its quite large protruding bump on the top of the fruit. Its name is most likely derived from a Portmanteau between the kanji (deko; meaning 'uneven') as a reference to its protruding bump, and the 'Pon' in Ponkan (one of the fruits that it is derived from) to create 'Dekopon'.

The fruits are usually grown in large greenhouses to keep them at a constant temperature, and are harvested during January (winter in Japan). After harvesting, 'Dekopon' fruits are usually left for a period of 20-40 days so that the levels of citric acid in the fruit lower while the sugar levels increase, to make a more appealing taste for the market.

Dekopon' fruits have become quite popular in Japan. There are many market names for 'Dekopon'. For instance, 'Dekopon' is the market name for the fruits originating from Kumamoto. The ones grown in Hiroshima are marketed as 'Kiyopon'. The ones grown and marketed in Korea are called 'Hallabong' named after Hallasan the mountain located in Jeju-do, where it is primarily grown.

Brazilian farmers have succeeded in adapting the variety to tropical to temperate climate in the highlands of Sao Paulo state. The work is done by farmers of Japanese origins. 'Dekopon' is easily harvested from May to September.

Rootstocks of accession: Carrizo citrange.

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California: December to February.

Prepared by the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at The University of California Riverside.