Product Name: Beni Madonna Mandarin (Ehime No. 28)
Description:
Beni Madonna, also known as Ehime No. 28 or simply "Red Beauty" in China, is a premium hybrid citrus variety developed by the Ehime Prefectural Fruit Tree Research Station in Japan over a 12-year breeding program. Created from a cross of ‘Nansho’ (female) and ‘Amakusa’ (male) , it was officially registered as “Ehime Fruit Trial No. 28” and introduced to China in 2001. The name “Beni Madonna” comes from “Madonna,” the beautiful heroine in Natsume Soseki’s novel Botchan – a name that perfectly captures its elegance and appeal.
A Citrus That Melts in Your Mouth:
The defining feature of Beni Madonna is its extraordinarily tender, jelly-like flesh. The segment walls are so thin they are virtually imperceptible, creating an eating experience that is often described as “drinking an orange” – soft, smooth, and bursting with juice. The flavor is almost purely sweet with a rich, orange-like aroma, and the fruit is seedless, making it exceptionally convenient to enjoy.
Appearance:
The fruit is flat-round with a deep orange, glossy skin that is remarkably thin – only about 1mm. The peel is soft and closely attached to the flesh, making it slightly difficult to peel, but this thin skin contributes to its remarkably high edible rate of 86.83%–95% and abundant juice content.
Flavor & Sweetness:
Beni Madonna delivers a premium eating experience with extremely low acidity and a soluble solids content of 12%–15.6%. The flesh is orange-yellow, fine-textured, and melting (化渣) , with a delicate sweetness that has earned it the title “Queen of Citrus” and “Hermès of Citrus” .
Key Commercial Advantages:
Jelly-Like Texture – A unique eating experience that melts in your mouth
Seedless – No seeds for hassle-free enjoyment
Extremely Thin Skin – Only ~1mm, with edible rate up to 95%
Premium Market Positioning – Commands prices of 30–50 yuan per jin for premium gift-grade fruit
Extended Harvest Window – Matures from late November to December, with greenhouse cultivation extending supply to January
High Export Demand – Popular in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North America, with Chinese-style gift packaging highly favored in overseas Chinese markets
Important Note on Variety Identity:
Beni Madonna (Ehime No. 28) is not the same as Ehime No. 38 ("jelly orange"). Beni Madonna is a cross of Nansho × Amakusa with a flat shape, deep orange skin, visible oil cells, and a peel that is difficult to remove. Ehime No. 38 is a cross of Nansho × Xizixiang with a peel that is easier to remove and less prominent oil cells. The two differ in flavor and price, and should not be confused.
Growing Regions:
Native to Ehime Prefecture, Japan, Beni Madonna has been successfully introduced to Zhejiang (Xiangshan – the first large-scale production base) , Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangdong, Hunan, and Fujian (Pinghe) . The Xiangshan region is particularly renowned for its “Xiangshan Red Beauty” brand, a National Geographical Indication Product.
Cultivation Notes:
Climate: Requires annual average temperature of 17–22°C and winter temperatures above -5°C
Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter content of 3%–5% and pH 5.5–7.5
Rootstock: Rough lemon or sweet orange rootstock is recommended over trifoliate orange, which can cause yellowing
Cultivation System: Greenhouse/rain-shelter cultivation is recommended for disease control and quality enhancement
Fertilization: Four applications per year (base, budding, fruit-swelling, and post-harvest fertilizers), following a “frequent and light” principle
Harvest Season:
Late November to December – a premium late-autumn/winter variety that captures the Christmas, New Year, and Spring Festival gift markets. With protected cultivation, harvest can be extended to January for extended supply. A true luxury citrus experience that commands premium pricing and strong consumer demand.