Beni Madonna Oranges
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Beni Madonna oranges are a medium to large varietal, averaging 200 to 300 grams in weight, and have a round to ovate shape with a flattened, curved nature. The variety’s skin is dark orange, thin, glossy, and semi-smooth, covered in prominent oil glands giving the surface a pebbled feel. The skin is adhered to the flesh, making it difficult to peel, and if it is torn, the juice often spills out. The oranges are typically sliced and served to preserve their delicate characteristics. Underneath the surface, the orange flesh is dense, aqueous, and soft with a melting, succulent texture. The flesh is divided into 9 to 10 segments by thin, barely noticeable membranes, and the vesicles within the flesh are tender and generally seedless. Beni Madonna oranges should feel heavy for their size and release a rich, fruity aroma when ripe. The variety can be consumed raw and is known for its high sugar content, around 12 to 13 degrees Brix, and low acidity, less than 1.2 percent, creating a sweet, bright, and refreshing taste.
Seasons/Availability
Beni Madonna oranges are harvested in the winter, with a peak season from late November through mid-December.
Current Facts
Beni Madonna oranges, botanically classified as Citrus reticulata, are a Japanese variety belonging to the Rutaceae or citrus family. The hybrid fruits were developed in the Ehime Prefecture in the late 20th century and were registered as a new cultivar in Japan in 2005. Beni Madonna oranges are rare and only available for a short season in the winter. They are often sold as premium citrus and given as gifts during the holiday season. For the oranges to be labeled as Beni Madonna in retail markets, the fruits must be at least 10.5 degrees Brix, a measurement of sugar, have low acidity, appear dark orange in coloring, and have a blemish-free peel. They are also scanned using optical sensors and are grouped with a peach sorting machine to protect the fruit’s delicate peel. If the fruits do not meet these requirements, they are sold under other names, including Hime Madonna, Ehime Madonna, Aika, Seto no Madonna, and Aika No. 28. Beni Madonna oranges are a specialty variety of the Ehime prefecture and were selected as a new variety to meet market demands for premium citrus in December. In the modern day, Beni Madonna oranges are sold as a fresh-eating cultivar and are savored for their large size, sweet taste, and aqueous nature.
Nutritional Value
Beni Madonna oranges have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Like other Japanese oranges, the variety is a source of vitamin C to boost the immune system, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and fiber to regulate the digestive tract. The variety also provides iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, vitamin E to reduce inflammation, calcium to build strong bones and teeth, and other nutrients, including magnesium, copper, folate, and antioxidants.
Applications
Beni Madonna oranges have a sweet, subtly tangy taste suited for fresh preparations. The variety is primarily eaten out of hand and is savored as a specialty fruit of the Ehime Prefecture. Beni Madonna oranges have thin skin tightly adhered to the flesh. The variety is challenging to peel and often tears the flesh in the process, spilling juice. Slicing the fruits into wedges is recommended to preserve their delicate, jelly-like flesh. Beni Madonna oranges are favored for their melting texture, and the flesh is eaten as a snack, dessert, or refreshing appetizer. In Japan, Beni Madonna oranges are often eaten around a kotatsu, a low wooden table covered with a blanket. Family and friends gather at a kotatsu and place a heater under the table, using the blanket to keep the warmth inside, and citrus is shared around the table as a festive winter snack. Beni Madonna oranges can also be gently sliced into thin pieces and served with fresh cheeses, topped over seafood, layered into parfaits, or pressed into refreshing juices. In addition to raw dishes, Beni Madonna oranges are used to flavor jellies, jams, and marmalades, infused into cakes, muffins, and bread, or whisked into marinades. The peels can also be dried and ground into a zest or flavoring for sweet and savory preparations. Beni Madonna oranges pair well with herbs such as cilantro, parsley, and mint, spices including cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, and other fruits such as strawberries, grapes, and melons. Whole, unwashed, and unopened Beni Madonna oranges will keep for 5 to 7 days. The oranges can be stored at room temperature, but warmth may cause the flesh to dry out, so it is recommended to keep the fruits in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. Beni Madonna oranges are traditionally offered ripe and ready-to-eat in retail markets. Immediate consumption will offer the best quality and flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The name Beni Madonna is a registered trademark of JA or Japan Agriculture’s Zen-Noh, a cooperative in the Ehime Prefecture. Beni roughly translates from Japanese to describe something that is dark red, while Madonna is taken from the name of a character in the popular Japanese novel “Botchan,” written by Natsume Soseki. This novel was completed in the early 20th century and follows the story of the protagonist, Botchan, a math teacher in a school in the Japanese countryside. Madonna is the name of the novel’s main female character, known for her beauty. The name Madonna was rumored to have been chosen for the orange from a public naming contest. The Ehime Prefecture is also the setting of the famous novel, which was said to take place in Matsuyama City. Beni Madonna oranges are from the Ehime Prefecture, a connection linking the variety with the novel-derived name. Beyond its primary name, Beni Madonna oranges are nicknamed the Lady of Ehime in local markets throughout the prefecture for their beauty and attractive, blemish-free appearance.
Geography/History
Beni Madonna oranges are native to Japan and were developed at the Ehime Prefectural Fruit Tree Experiment Station, now known as the Ehime Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Research Institute Fruit Tree Research Center. The variety was bred from a cross between Nanka Mikan oranges and Amakusa oranges in the 1990s and was selected for its large size, dark orange coloring, thin skin, and juicy, sweet flesh. Nanka Mikans were known for their high sugar content and juicy nature, while Amakusa mandarins were known for their delicate skin, aroma, and soft flesh. The new variety was registered in 2005 and was initially known as Ehime Kaken No. 28. In 2007, the variety was registered under the trademarked name Beni Madonna and became a protected cultivar under JA Zen-Noh. Today, only fruits that pass strict sorting requirements are labeled as Beni Madonna oranges. The variety is unique to the Ehime Prefecture and is primarily grown in greenhouses in Imabari City, Matsuyama City, Tobe Town in the Iyo District, and Yawatahama City.
