[Hyuganatsu, a Specialty Citrus Fruit of Miyazaki Prefecture]

Hyuganatsu is a famous specialty of Miyazaki Prefecture. Although I had heard of it in drinks such as juice and alcohol, sweets, and dressings, it did not appear frequently in supermarkets in Kitakyushu, and I had only vaguely remembered the taste of the fruit.

The other day, I found seedless hyuganatsu at a roadside station in Miyazaki Prefecture and bought it. The overflowing juice and moderate sweet sourness were so refreshing and delicious that they completely changed my hazy image of the fruit.

Hyuganatsumatsu is a citrus fruit discovered in Miyazaki Prefecture, and is said to have its roots in a single tree found in a house in present-day Miyazaki City around 1820, at the end of the Edo period. It was named "Hyuganatsu" in 1887 and became a specialty citrus of Miyazaki Prefecture. It is also called "New Summer Orange" or "Konatsu" in some areas. One of its characteristics is that it has many seeds, but seedless varieties have been cultivated through breeding, and you can even pick one up that is easy to eat.

The season is from spring to early summer. Locals are said to be familiar with the fruit as a sign of "the coming of spring," when flowers adorn tourist spots and professional baseball and soccer camps bustle with activity.

To eat, do not peel the skin with your fingers, but peel only the outer rind thinly in the same way as you would peel an apple, leaving the white skin. The fluffy white skin (albedo) has no bitterness and is slightly sweet, so it can be eaten together.

Hyuganatsu grows in a tropical climate with many sunny days and long hours of sunshine, receiving plenty of sunlight. It is a very delicious fruit with a balance of sweetness and sourness that is different from neither summer oranges, lemons, or yuzu. Served on a cool glass or tin plate, the fresh appearance can be enjoyed even more. If you find round, bright lemon-yellow hyuganatsu, please try it.

Fresco's Kasumi Plate S
https://www.shokunin.com/en/fresco/kasumiplate.html
Otera Kohachiro Shoten's Kanamari M
https://www.shokunin.com/en/otera/kanamari.html

References
https://kajyu.co.jp/hyuganatsu-labo/hyuganatsu.html
https://life.ja-group.jp/food/shun/detail?id=91