{"id":7823,"date":"2025-03-18T13:10:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T17:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snarklesauce.com\/blog\/?p=7823"},"modified":"2025-05-09T20:40:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T00:40:27","slug":"i-tried-sumo-citrus-to-see-what-all-the-fuss-is-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snarklesauce.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/18\/i-tried-sumo-citrus-to-see-what-all-the-fuss-is-about\/","title":{"rendered":"I tried Sumo Citrus to see what all the fuss is about."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Author’s Note: Not a paid review. I have no affiliation with Sumo Citrus<\/a>. Or any of the other brands mentioned here. Natch.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These babies are going to Harvard.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve spent any amount of time on the internet, you’ve likely endured a steady trickle of hype over these weird-looking Sumo Citrus fruits. I’ve mainly heard them described as a “sweeter” and “easier to peel” version of a mandarin or tangerine. Unfortunately, they come with an eye-watering price tag of $3-4 each. Due to a wicked-good sale at a Sprouts Farmers Market grand opening<\/a>, I finally succumbed to my curiosity. But, I only bought one<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First of all, props to whomever<\/em> named these fruits. “Sumo” is a much more endearing and whimsical moniker than what I’d<\/em> have chosen. These look like the tragic, deeply scarred face of a villain from a Marvel movie. They look like it would be rude to stare at them in public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest question in my mind was “is there fruit inside that knob on top?” So, I ripped the knob off. And, no. It’s just a fleshy blob of citrus peel and pith. Now we know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But, I did stick my nose into the opening and inhale the fruity smells. And, wow. These smell good<\/em>. They smell like…well, I don’t even know what they smell like. They smell like nothing I’ve smelt before. It’s almost floral, but also spicy. An addictive, intoxicating smell. A tangy, bright smell with rich, complex undertones. Look, if you paid four bucks<\/em> for this little fruit \u2014 make sure you smell it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(If you love citrus flavors, perhaps you would enjoy this Dark Chocolate Orange Mousse Bar from Aldi<\/a> \u2014 it’s made with real orange juice and orange peel.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I usually slice my citrus fruit into arcs, but since the selling point of the Sumos is their ease of peeling, I went ahead and peeled mine. Not a single lie was told. My peel slid right off. And in one<\/em> piece, no less. I did this with my bare hands in less than 10 seconds. If you hate<\/em> peeling fruit, you will love this. It’s actually kind of fun and mesmerizing, to be honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The peel is thick and heavy, and very “clean.” It doesn’t ooze or get sticky when peeling. I did<\/em> feel sad seeing how much inedible material I paid for by weight. I weighed the discarded peel on my kitchen scale at about 3 ounces. Just saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The peeled segments divide easily, but they do have substantial pith remaining. I pulled off as much stringy pith as I could, since I don’t like eating it. If you prefer to remove the skin from your segments, I found mine fairly loose and easy to peel back. Sumos are<\/em> seedless, so that’s a plus. Well, maybe not for the Sumo \u2014 they’ll never be a father. But, enjoy. You monster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Segments<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ok, and finally: the fruit. It’s delicious. Although it has a pleasant sweetness, it’s the depth<\/em> of the flavor that impressed me. I am actually not a big fan of “sweet” fruit, because it’s often a substitute for flavor. Not so here. Like the smell, the taste is full of complexity and richness. It tastes like a tangerine on performance-enhancement drugs. It tastes like a mandarin orange with SAT scores of 1600. These babies are going to Harvard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I won’t insult this fruit by comparing it to Starburst candy or Skittles. But, I’ll just say that you won’t want those things after eating a Sumo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fingers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The inner meat has an extremely tender, soft texture which almost feels fragile. But, surprisingly, my segments didn’t leak or ooze while eating them. They’re weirdly self-contained, and not messy. Even with the skin completely removed, the cells remain intact. I didn’t have a single drop of juice ooze out \u2014 except in my mouth. These are<\/em> juicy nuggets. I loved them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I LOVED THEM. But I’m poor. I don’t think I can justify $4 fruits. Let me say again \u2014 without the peel<\/em> \u2014 these aren’t very big. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of that peel, I did nibble on some. Because I paid for it, and I needed to know. It’s crisp, but moist inside, with a moderate bitterness. It has the astringent bite of citrus oil, without being overwhelming. There’s probably a way to candy this peel, or dry it for tea. My skin smelled amazing after handling the rind. I want to smell like this forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where can you buy Sumos? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, they seem to be everywhere these days. Even Target has them, for the comparatively affordable price of $2.50 each. Harry & David<\/a> sells a five-pound box online for $50. BJ’s sells a 3-pound box for $8.49. Since I bought mine at a Sprouts sale, my ugly little Sumo only set me back $1.71. Probably the only way I’d buy these again is at another great<\/em> sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are Sumo Citrus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, Sumo are a hybrid mandarin from Japan. According to the Sumo Citrus website<\/a>, they’ve been cultivated in California since 1998, and they’re in season from January to April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fingers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dramatic Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are shockingly tasty fruits. The flavor and aroma is unreal. The rumors are true: these are insanely easy to peel. If I win the lottery, I’ll eat Sumos every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, I won’t<\/em> win the lottery, because I don’t play the lottery. Alas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The End.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More Reviews You Might Like (or Hate)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Check out these other reviews I’ve written:<\/p>\n\n\n\n