Food historians trace the origins of the kishu mandarin (or kishu mikan, as it’s known in Japan) all the way back to Southern China in the 8th century CE. Sometime in the 1200s, it made its way to the Kii (also known as Kishū) province of Southern Japan, where it was celebrated for its small size, sweet flavor, and remarkably easy-to-separate sections. While the kishu first arrived in the United States in the 19th century, it wasn’t until a seedless variety was developed in the 1980’s that it became commercially available, and only in recent years has it gained a significant stateside fandom. We’re certainly fans, which is why we’re so appreciative of the more-than- a-millenium-long journey it took for these one-pound bags of Kishu Kisses Mandarins to arrive in our stores.
Intensely sweet and highly snackable, each Kishu Mandarin is about one to two inches in diameter. Once peeled, the sections inside have a soft and pleasantly puffy texture and an exceptionally excellent balance of juiciness, sweetness, and acidity. We’re particularly partial to enjoying them as a quick, afternoon snack, packing them with school lunches, or including them as a bit of bright and fruity contrast for a cheese board or charcuterie plate. We also recommend adding a few peeled Kishu Mandarins to your next fruit salad, parfait, or smoothie.(From Trader Joe’s Official Site)
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