Harvest Season: October to April
Main Production Areas: Hiroshima Prefecture (Kure City, Onomichi City, Osakikamijima Town)
Characteristics:
– Thin skin with abundant juice
– High sugar content with gentle acidity and refreshing aroma
– Rich in Vitamin C
– “Green lemons” known for their fresh scent and crisp tartness
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– In lemon sour cocktails or lemonade
– Sliced as a garnish for fish dishes
– As an ingredient in lemon cakes or tarts

Writer’s Whisper:
Hiroshima lemons aren’t just about the zing! The sweetness will surprise you – I love munching on them straight up! Bite into one after a greasy meal, and you’ll taste the sweetness pop while it helps cut through the fat. It’s a win-win!

Harvest Season: Mid-July to mid-August
Main Production Areas: Okayama Prefecture (especially Kurashiki City, Okayama City, Akaiwa City)
Characteristics:
– Elegant white color and smooth texture
– Strong sweetness with abundant juice
– Low in fiber, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture
– Rich aroma and mellow flavor
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Savor them as they are for a luxurious treat
– As a topping for yogurt or ice cream
– White peach compote or jam

Writer’s Whisper:
White peaches are a slice of heaven – that silky texture and refined sweetness are absolutely divine! (Peaches are my number one fruit obsession!) My only complaint? The plate’s empty in 3 minutes flat. It’s a delicious dilemma I’m more than happy to face!

Harvest Season: Late September to mid-February
Main Production Areas: Yamaguchi Prefecture (Suo-Oshima Town, Yanai City)
Characteristics:
– Soft, easy-to-peel skin
– Good balance of sweetness and acidity
– Various varieties including “Shimasodachi” and “Yumehoppe”
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Peeled and eaten fresh
– Made into orange juice or jelly
– Orange peel marmalade

Writer’s Whisper:
It’s so fun to compare different varieties! Personally, I recommend “Shimasodachi” for its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Once you taste it, you’ll never forget the flavor!

Harvest Season: Early August to late September
Main Production Areas: Throughout Tottori Prefecture
Characteristics:
– Juicy with a crisp texture
– Good balance of sweetness and acidity
– High juice content with a refreshing taste
– Long shelf life, popular as a gift
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Eat fresh as is
– Use in pear tarts or pies
– Add to salads for a refreshing flavor

Writer’s Whisper:
Every year, I buy a whole box of Tottori’s Nijisseiki pears. They’re incredibly juicy, sweet, and refreshing – absolute perfection! They’re great for staying hydrated in the hot summer, and I swear they help cool you down. It’s like hitting three birds with one stone!

Harvest Season: Late April to late July
Main Production Areas: Shimane Prefecture (Izumo City, Masuda City, Ota City, Hamada City, Unnan City, Yasugi City)
Characteristics:
– Small and seedless
– Balanced flavor with strong sweetness and moderate acidity
– Edible skin
– Pleasant aroma and light mouthfeel
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Eat as is
– Make grape juice or wine
– Use in jams or sorbets

Writer’s Whisper:
I can’t stop munching on these! It’s not just the sweetness, but the perfect balance with acidity that keeps me going. I only realize I’m done when my hand gets tired from picking them. Talk about addictive snacking!

Harvest Season: Mid-October to late January
Main Production Areas: Ehime Prefecture (Uwajima City, Yawatahama City)
Characteristics:
– Balance of sweetness and acidity varies with the harvest time
– Rich sweetness with a refreshing aroma
– Thin, easy-to-peel skin
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Peel and eat fresh
– Make into orange jelly or jam
– Add to yogurt for breakfast

Writer’s Whisper:
Have you heard of “Kanpei”, the rare premium variety from Ehime that’s been featured on TV? It’s a high-end mandarin rumored to have intense sweetness and great texture. Oh, how I’d love to try it someday… A foodie can dream, right?

Harvest Season: December to mid-January
Main Production Areas: Kochi Prefecture (Sukumo City, Konan City, Tosa City)
Characteristics:
– Large fruit with abundant flesh
– Slight bitterness with elegant sweetness and refreshing acidity
– Large fruit with thick peel
– Rich in Vitamin C, high health benefits
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Eat the flesh as is
– Squeeze for fresh juice
– Squeeze for fresh juice

Writer’s Whisper:
Peeling these is quite a workout! But trust me, the effort is so worth it. Once you break through that thick skin, you’re in for a treat! The unique blend of subtle bitterness, sweetness, and juiciness creates a flavor you can’t find anywhere else. It’s like a citrus adventure in your mouth!

Harvest Season: July to August
Main Production Areas: Tokushima Prefecture (Kamiyama Town, Anan City, Tokushima City, Sanagochi Village)
Characteristics:
– Small, green citrus fruit
– Sharp, tangy flavor with a refreshing aroma
– Widely used as a flavoring and garnish in cooking
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Squeeze over grilled fish or chilled tofu
– Use as a seasoning in sudachi vinegar
– Ingredient in sudachi juice or chu-hai cocktails

Writer’s Whisper:
Its fresh look makes it the perfect color accent for any dish! And here’s a little tip: when you’re feeling under the weather and can’t eat much, add some sudachi to your udon. It’ll slide down so smoothly, you won’t even notice you’ve finished the bowl!

Harvest Season: Late October to early November
Main Production Areas: Kagawa Prefecture (Takamatsu City, Zentsuji City, Mitoyo City)
Characteristics:
[Koryoku]: Rich sweetness with a refreshing flavor
[Sanuki Gold]: Golden flesh with 3 times the normal Vitamin C content
[Sanuki Angel Sweet]: Low acidity with an elegant sweetness
[Kosui]: Bite-sized with almost no protein-dissolving enzymes
[Sanuki KiwikoⓇ]: Good balance of acidity and sweetness
Recommended Ways to Enjoy:
– Cut in half and eat as is
– Use in fruit salads
– Make kiwi jam or smoothies

Writer’s Whisper:
Sanuki Gold is a real treat – beautiful to look at and delicious to eat! I can’t help but buy them whenever I see them, thinking all that extra Vitamin C must be great for my skin. It’s my little beauty secret… or maybe just my excuse to indulge!