What variety do you gow? S&J Mandarin Grove grows Owari Satsuma mandarin oranges. Not only are they are sweet, seedless and juicy, they are farm-fresh and easy to peel!

What makes your mandarins organic?
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations (USDA). Before a product can be labeled "organic," a USDA accredited certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.

S & J Mandarin Grove does not apply any synthetic herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. We use all natural products in accordance with requirements of the National Organic Program (NOP) and the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). It takes three years to become certified organic through California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and we are proud to say we are fully certified with CCOF and USDA!

What makes S & J Mandarins taste so great?
S & J Mandarin Grove is a small family owned business. We hand-pick all of our mandarins when they are fully ripe and ready to eat — which means they stay on the tree longer, preserving their flavor. Plus, because we inspect each and every mandarin we pick, you only get the very best from S&J Mandarin Grove. In 2004 our mandarins were rated #1 in taste, aromatics and sweetness among twenty local growers.

Why does S&J grow in Placer County?
Newcastle is famous for having the best tasting Owari Satsuma mandarins. The cool nights in the foothills of Placer County and the decomposed granite soil make for an ideal growing environment — and ... Placer County's rolling foothills are beautiful! Visit us and see for yourself!

How long will mandarins stay fresh?
Mandarins are fresh fruit! They will last typically up to 2-3 weeks when kept in a cool dry place. It gets too hot under the Christmas tree!

When is mandarin season?
Mandarins become ripe around the third week in November just in time for the annual Mountain Mandarin Festival. Held at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, California, the free festival draws around 30,000 visitors and boasts food, crafts, contests, entertainment and fun for the whole family. Stop by our booth for free samples of our fabulous mandarins, say hello and buy a bag or two, or three, or four! Check out the Mountain Mandarin Festival Web site for more information.

Tell me more about Owari Satsuma mandarins.
Owari Satsuma trees are cold-hardy, productive, and vigorous-growing, but mature to a small size with a spreading and somewhat drooping character. The fruit varies in shape depending upon the conditions where it is grown, but it is most commonly oblate with a smooth and thin orange rind that is easily peeled. The fruit is bright orange with a natural tinge of green on the peel, tender and juicy, seedless, and mild in flavor. The Owari Satsuma mandarin orange is considered to be a mid-season fruit, with its season of harvest being late November to January in most areas of California. Look for mandarins that are puffy to the touch and bright orange in color.