Amanatsu

Natsumikan / Amanatsu
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Species: C. × natsudaidai
Binomial name
Citrus × natsudaidai
Hayata

Amanatsu () or natsumikan is a yellowish orange citrus hybrid fruit, a group of cultivars of Citrus natsudaidai (ナツミカン(夏蜜柑?) , which were discovered in 1740 in the Yamaguchi prefecture of Japan.

Names

In Japan, it is officially known as the kawano natsu daidai (カワノナツダイダイ(川野夏橙)?) , but also colloquially the amanatsu, amanatsu daidai (甘夏橙), amanatsukan (甘夏柑), and amanatsu mikan (甘夏蜜柑(甘夏みかん)).

Description

Natsumikan is about the size of grapefruit and oblate in shape. The fruit contains 12 segments and about 30 seeds. The rough textured fruit is easy to peel and is commonly eaten fresh. It is also used for wide variety of products ranging from marmalades to alcoholic beverages.

Cultivation

Natsumikan is grown commercially in Japan, notably in Kumamoto and Ehime prefecture. The city of Hagi is famous for its natsumikans, particularly when used in natsumikan juice and ice cream.

Genetics

The natsumikan tree is believed to be genetically derived from the pomelo (Citrus grandis or Citrus maxima).

Medicine

Researchers found that immature natsumikan peel is beneficial for the treatment of chronic allergic dermatitis.[1]

Gallery

See also

Wikispecies has information related to: Citrus natsudaidai
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Citrus natsudaidai.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, June 21, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.