Sumo Citrus is a marketing name used in the United States for a seedless, easy-to-peel citrus fruit known for its large size, bumpy skin, and distinctive top knot. It is a variety of mandarin-orange hybrid, developed in Japan under the name Shiranui in the 1970s, and later marketed as Dekopon in Japan.
The fruit is prized for its sweetness, juiciness, and lack of seeds, making it a convenient and popular snack. Sumo Citrus is typically in season from late winter to early spring and is grown primarily in California, where it requires careful cultivation due to the delicate nature of the fruit’s thin skin. Despite its rough exterior, Sumo Citrus has a tender, easy-to-peel rind and a vibrant, tangy-sweet flavor, making it a successful crop in the premium citrus market.