What is happening on the Sumo Citrus farms during the fall?
As summer fades into fall, our Sumo Citrus growers in California begin to measure the fruit on a weekly basis to track its average growth and project the size of the harvest ahead. The goal? To deliver only the most enormously delicious fruit to stores in January. Soon, the fruit will turn from green to orange, which is called “color break” in our growing cycle. (Learn more about our growing cycle here.) This shift signals to our growers in California that it’s almost time for harvest and the start of Sumo Citrus season.
However, for our growers in Australia, Sumo Citrus season is in full swing. Our seasons perfectly complement each other: during the summer and fall in the U.S., it is winter and spring in Australia and our growers down under are harvesting Sumo Citrus.
Where is the Sumo Citrus fall harvest grown?
Like the central valley in California, there are three regions in the southern part of Australia that offer ideal conditions for growing citrus due to their hot dry conditions during the summer months, cool winter nights, and ample water supply for irrigation.
The Riverland in South Australia is one of those regions, located along the banks of the Murray River bordering both Victoria and New South Wales. It is known for its ability to grow a wide diversity of crops due to its great soil, moderate climate, and reliable water supply.
Sunraysia encompasses towns in the northwestern part of Victoria and southwestern part of New South Wales. This region is considered the “Food Bowl of Australia” because of its high value horticultural citrus crops.
Riverina, in the southwestern region of New South Wales, south of the border of Victoria, is famous for being the most productive and diverse agricultural area in Australia.
The conditions in these regions produce incredibly sweet, easy to peel, no mess, seedless and larger-than-life Sumo Citrus with a signature Top Knot™ – everything you’ve come to love about the ultimate citrus experience.
But the best thing about the Australian harvest is that our Sumo Citrus growers in Australia generously share their crop, sending fruit to the U.S. as we patiently wait for the beginning of the season in January.
You may see this fruit popping up in a store near you during September and October. While Sumo Citrus availability in the fall is the best possible news, it is a limited amount of fruit, available only while supplies last. Be sure to make the most of this harvest if you find it in your store.
The most delicious recipes featuring Sumo Citrus
There’s a wealth of recipes to explore, from savory, to sweet, to snacking, and even recipes to sip on.
Our autumn favorite is the Sumo Citrus Spice Latte. This twist on a classic is a perfect blend of the familiar flavors of fall and the legendary taste of Sumo Citrus, created in partnership with our friends at Alfred Coffee.
What better way to leverage our Sumo Citrus fall harvest than to make your own Sumo Citrus Spice Latte at home? Don’t forget to bookmark the recipe for the moment Sumo Citrus is available at all of our retail partners across the US when the season begins in January.
The question is: have you found any of our Sumo Citrus fall harvest in a store near you? If so, share a photo of your haul on social media and tag @SumoCitrus with #FallfortheUltimateCitrusExperience.