Sweet gift from clean Jeju : Korean tangerine

The tangerine is a top-selling fruit in Korea because of its sweet and sour taste. As well, it is easy to eat – you only have to peel it. Jeju, famous for its clean environment, - produces Korean tangerines, and that’s why Korean tangerines are recognized by consumers from home and abroad as safe and tasty agricultural products.

Korean tangerines are exported mainly to the US, Canada, Russia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Southeast Asia also recently joined the list of locations to which Korean tangerines are exported. Recently, the US started to use Korean tangerines as a summer barbeque item and snack, and sales in this market have been rising. Korean tangerine exports are expanding to the US, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Efficacy 1. Full of vitamin C! Eating 3 tangerines a day is enough for our nutrient requirements.

100g of tangerine contains an average of 35mg of vitamin C. Eating just 3-4 tangerines a day will give you your recommended daily dose of vitamin C (100mg). Korean tangerines are so rich in vitamin C because Jeju, the main production site, has plenty of sunshine.

Efficacy 2. High in functional substances, good for osteoporosis

Korean tangerines have functional substance flavonoids such as hesperidin and naringin in two times the amount found in oranges. As well, Korean tangerines contain carotenoids such as beta-cryptoxanthin that help prevent osteoporosis.

Efficacy 3. Tasty diet with tangerine

The Korean tangerine’s flesh and peel are helpful to reduce body fat and lower the cholesterol and body mass index. Some studies have shown that it is effective in improving blood lipids. Lose weight while eating sweet and juicy Korean tangerines.

Tangerines are mainly produced in Jeju. Models dressed as Jeju haenyeo (female diver) and promoting Jeju tangerines.

Bigger and sweeter! Korean tangerine varieties

There are many varieties of Korean tangerines. Mostly “Onju milgam (tangerine)” is used to make hybrids. “Onju milgam” -weighing about 100g per unit- is the main export variety breed, but the improved varieties “Hallabong” and “Cheonhyehyang” are also exported.

“Hallabong” got its name from Hallasan of Jeju-do.

Cheonhyehyang is popular in Asia including China because of its thin peels and high sugar content.

Hallabong

Hallabong tangerines weigh 200-300g and have a thick peel. It got its name because its hog-backed top reminds us of Hallasan in Jeju-do. Hallabong tangerines are very sweet and juicy. Today, Hallabong tangerines are exported to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as the US.

Cheonhyehyang

Cheonhyehyang tangerines are about the same size as Hallabong tangerines, but the Cheonhyehyang tangerine’s peel is thin and is high in sugar content. In a taste test, Cheonhyehyang tangerines received the highest score from the Chinese testers.

Korean tangerines grown on a clean island Jeju

Korea’s Jeju has been known to Asian tourists as a “clean area” or a “mysterious island.” It is widely thought that agricultural products grown in Jeju are safe. This place, clean Jeju, is the main production site for Korean tangerines. Jeju maintains strict controls from the production stage to improve the quality of the tangerines it exports. Jejudo also ensures food safety by checking for pesticide residue before exporting. To expand its exports, Jeju is developing a customized distribution system to fit the standards of importing countries. Jeju is planning to build a special facility for fruit selection for exports to improve the level of quality control even more.