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Here’s what you need to know about the satsuma orange! Nab this mandarin orange variety in the grocery for snacking and recipes.
Every winter, our social media feeds fill with images of the beautiful satsuma orange, with its lovely spherical bright body and leafy stem. But what actually is the satsuma? Is it worth buying? Here’s what you need to know about this unique mandarin orange variety.
What is a satsuma orange?
The satsuma orange is a seedless type of mandarin orange with a juicy, sweet flavor. Mandarin orange is a category of small, sweet citrus fruits that have loose skin, including tangerines, clementines and satsumas. What’s the difference of satsuma vs clementines? Satsumas are slightly larger and a little more citrusy in flavor. They’re more delicate than clementines, so they’re harder to find at the grocery.
Satsumas are in season between October and December, so you may start to see them at your local grocery store in the winter months. In the US, they’re grown in California and the Southeastern states. It’s also grown around the world in Japan, China, Spain, Korea, and more.
How to store satsuma oranges
Satsuma oranges stay good at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, though they’re best within 4 to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to 3 weeks.
Satsuma nutrition & calories
Satsumas are a healthy food that’s full of vitamins (source). One satsuma orange has:
- 50 calories
- 2 grams fiber
- 11 grams carbohydrates
- 0 grams fat, cholesterol or sodium
- 73% of the daily value of Vitamin C (66 mg)
Note: they’re very juicy!
Satsuma oranges are very juicy. While they’re considered easy to peel, often we end up with lots of juice when we go to peel them. Keep this in mind as you use them in recipes. We prefer to either eat them as a snack or use recipes that call for their juice, like salad dressing or cocktails. Speaking of…
Recipes and ways to eat them
The best way to eat a satsuma orange? Snack on it raw! This variety of mandarin orange is delightfully juicy and perfect for snacking. But if you want to get a little more creative, there are so many ways to use it. Use the juice for salad dressing or cocktails, or slice it up for salads. Here are a few ideas:
Satsuma Orange Vinaigrette
Looking for a tangy salad dressing to liven up your greens? This zingy satsuma orange dressing is where it’s at! It’s got both fresh lemon and orange juice, and it’s perfectly balanced.
Citrus Salad with Satsumas
Here’s a refreshingly simple satusma recipe that’s just begging to jump on your table: citrus salad! It stars all the beautiful, vibrant citrus: tangy grapefruit and various types of oranges. Satsumas can stand in for any of the navel or blood oranges.
Satsuma Orange & Fennel Salad
Ready to meet our (and your) new favorite salad? It features beautiful juicy oranges, with their vibrant color and citrusy flavor. Add to that a famous pairing: sliced raw fennel, which adds a subtle licorice essence.
Satsuma Orange Margarita
Here’s a refreshing, citrus-forward Satsuma cocktail: try the Orange Margarita! Add fresh squeezed satsuma orange juice to this classic cocktail and you get a zingy, sweetly perfumed drink that’s absolutely irresistible.
Satsuma Orange Smoothie
Got lots of satsumas to use up? Make an orange smoothie! Oranges have a beautifully citrusy flavor and loads of Vitamin C. This orange smoothie is creamy and tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness. Substitute 6 satsumas for the 2 standard oranges here.
Satsuma Orange Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ¾ cup 1x
Description
This zingy satsuma orange vinaigrette takes just minutes to make! It capitalizes on the juicy fruit to make a dressing that livens up any salad.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons satsuma orange juice, plus zest of ½ orange
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Zest the satsuma orange. In a medium bowl, mix the orange juice, orange zest, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, salt and a grind of fresh black pepper.
- Gradually whisk in the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time (8 tablespoons total), until creamy and emulsified. If desired, season with additional salt.
- Category: Essentials
- Method: Salad
- Cuisine: Salad
- Diet: Vegan
Not a fan! Recipe has no vinegar except for the tanginess of the Dijon. So it’s like barely sweet Dijon oil with a hint of orange