The recent popular English learning app “Mikan” skyrocketed to fame with its character “Mikan Seijin.” Coupled with Ehime’s local mascot “Mikyan” and the ever-beloved fruit “mikan,” let’s delve into why this citrus fruit remains a long-standing favorite.
Mikan in the Nihon Shoki
A figure named Tajimamori was sent by Emperor Suinin to Tokoyo-no-Kuni (overseas) and, after a decade, brought back the “Tachibana” fruit, believed to grant immortality. This fruit became the mikan, and Tajimamori is now revered as the god of mikan.
Kishu Mikan that Impressed Edo Residents
It’s believed that mikan cultivation in Edo was started by Ito Sonzaemon. During the Edo period, there was even an organization dedicated to mikan cultivation, and by the Kyoho era, it had won over many gourmet Edo residents.
Production Rankings
In terms of mikan production, the rankings are: 10th – Mie Prefecture, 9th – Fukuoka, 8th – Hiroshima, 7th – Aichi, 6th – Saga, 5th – Nagasaki, 4th – Kumamoto, 3rd – Shizuoka, 2nd – Ehime, and 1st – Wakayama. The top producer has a legacy dating back to the Edo period!
Why Do We Rub Mikans?
Rubbing mikans makes them taste sweeter. Rubbing damages the cells, and to repair them, the citric acid content decreases, reducing sourness. It doesn’t actually become sweeter; the sourness just diminishes.
Mikan Components
Mikans contain Vitamin C, Provitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, potassium, minerals, citric acid, hesperidin, cellulose, auraptene (aromatic component), synephrine (sour component), terpenoids (fragrance), limonene (fragrance), naringin (bitterness), β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, pectin, nomilin, and more.
103 Types of Mikans!
There are 103 varieties of mikan. The classic is the familiar “Unshu Mikan.” “Beni Madonna” is known for its jelly-like texture and juiciness. “Kiyomi” is a hybrid of a US orange and Unshu Mikan. “Setoka” is so rich and juicy it’s called the “fatty tuna of citrus.” “Shiranui” is a high-sugar variety with parents “Kiyomi” and “Ponkan.” “Harumi” has a unique texture and is a cross between “Kiyomi” and “Dekopon.” “Asumi” is a blend of various citrus fruits.
Interestingly, the mikan, known as “Tangerine” in English, used to be called “Mitsukan.” Mikans have floral meanings like purity, affection, and bridal joy. There’s a novel titled “Mikan” by the literary giant Ryunosuke Akutagawa. This winter, why not relax with the aroma of mikan, sip on mikan liquor, and immerse yourself in the world of the novel “Mikan”?
