Product Name: Ehime 46 Mandarin (Amida)
Description:
Ehime 46, also known as Amida, is a premium early-maturing mandarin variety developed in Japan and released in 2021. Bred from a cross of Ehime 28 (Beni Madonna) and Harumi (Spring See) , this exceptional variety combines the best traits of both renowned parents – inheriting the early maturity of Beni Madonna and the superior eating quality of Harumi .
A Citrus That Delivers on Every Level:
Ehime 46 ripens approximately 15–20 days earlier than Beni Madonna, filling a critical market gap before other premium mandarins become available . Fruit begins coloring in mid-November, with acidity dropping significantly by late October – about 15 days earlier than Beni Madonna in Chongqing . The fruit is easy to peel – a significant improvement over Beni Madonna, which is known for its tight skin .
Appearance & Flavor:
The fruit is flat-round in shape, with a bright orange to yellow-green skin that is visually appealing . Each fruit weighs approximately 200–300 grams, making it a convenient size for packaging and transport . The flesh is crisp, tender, and melting (化渣) , with a sweet, refreshing flavor and almost no acidity when fully ripe. Soluble solids content reaches 15% Brix . The eating experience is described as "sweet and refreshing" , with a delicate, seedless flesh (naturally seedless variety) .
Key Commercial Advantages:
Early Season Market Window – Ripens approximately 15–20 days earlier than Beni Madonna, filling the gap before other premium mandarins enter the market
Easy to Peel – Unlike Beni Madonna, Ehime 46 has soft, easy-to-remove skin, making it more consumer-friendly
Excellent Eating Quality – Crisp, tender, melting flesh with a sweet, low-acid flavor
Seedless – Naturally seedless variety with high commercial appeal
Strong Tree Vigor – Vigorous growth habit suitable for high-density planting and grafting
Market Premium – Commands prices comparable to Beni Madonna, with retail prices around ¥15–25 per jin in major production regions
Cultivation Notes:
Harvest Season: October to November (varies by region); acidity drops by late October in Chongqing, coloring completes by mid-November
Suitable Regions: Performs well in Chongqing, Sichuan, Hunan, Zhejiang, and similar citrus-growing regions; strong cold tolerance makes it suitable for northern citrus fringe areas
Tree Characteristics: Vigorous growth, good for top-grafting (高接换种) on existing citrus trees
Grafting Performance: "Survives in year one, forms canopy in year two, fruits in year three, and reaches full production in year four"
Harvest Season:
October to November – a premium early-season mandarin that captures strong market demand before the main citrus season. With its early maturity, easy peeling, and superior eating quality, Ehime 46 offers an excellent market opportunity for growers and a delightful experience for consumers.