Jinkui Shatangju (金葵沙糖桔)

Description

Jinkui Shatangju, also known as “Jinkui Honey Orange,” is an early-maturing variety of mandarin that is a mutation of the regular Shatangju.

Its appearance is very similar to the common Shatangju, but the skin of Jinkui is more tightly packed. The peel is thin, easy to remove, with numerous visible and flat oil glands, and has a deep orange or orange color, slightly redder than regular Shatangju, with uniform coloration and a smooth, glossy surface. Jinkui is good for storage and can remain on the tree until after New Year’s Day, with the latest harvest being in late February (cold protection may be required in some areas). When stored on the tree, it does not develop loose skin. The flesh is deep orange, crisp, tender, and juicy, with an edible rate of 78.8%. Early in the season, the taste is slightly sour, but it becomes intensely sweet later on. During the hanging period, the soluble solids content increases quickly, reaching up to 16% by mid-to-late November.