Kinkoji unshiu facts for kids

Kinkoji unshiu is a special type of citrus fruit. It's a Citrus hybrid, which means it's a mix of two different citrus plants. People grow it because its fruit is tasty to eat!

How Kinkoji Unshiu Was Made

Kinkoji unshiu is a unique "graft hybrid." This means it was created by joining parts of two different plants together. It's like combining two plants into one! The two parent plants are the kinkoji (Citrus obovoidea) and the satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu).

Where Kinkoji Unshiu Grows

This fruit is grown in Japan, where it also grows naturally. You can also find Kinkoji unshiu trees growing in California, USA.

What Kinkoji Unshiu Looks Like

The Fruit

The Kinkoji unshiu fruit is a good size, about as big as a grapefruit. It has a shape similar to a pomelo. The skin, or "rind," is not too thick and can be light to dark yellow. Inside, the fruit's flesh is a bright orange color. It has some seeds, and it's very juicy! People say it has a nice, pleasant flavor, even if it's a bit mild. This fruit has been grown for over 70 years.

The Tree

The tree itself has many branches that grow close together. Its leaves are strong and leathery. They are shaped like an oval or an ellipse.

Where to Find Kinkoji Unshiu

In the United States, you can find Kinkoji unshiu through a program called the Citrus Clonal Protection Program. This program helps make sure citrus plants are healthy and available.