In Jeju Island, a wide variety of tangerines can be found. Representative varieties include Hanrabong and Cheonhyehyang, as well as Red Hyang and Cheonggyul.
Tangerines are categorized into “Gangul-ryu” and “Mangam-ryu”. Gangul-ryu refers to the common type of tangerine that we are familiar with, while Mangam-ryu denotes a modified form of tangerine that is left to fully ripen for an extended period before harvest. Varieties like Hanrabong and Cheonhyehyang fall into the Mangam-ryu category.
The harvest season for tangerines varies depending on the variety. When traveling in Jeju Island, you may notice different types of tangerines available in the market depending on the time of year.
“Types and Harvest Seasons of Jeju Island Tangerines”
The varieties of tangerines in Jeju Island are quite diverse. The representative varieties and their respective harvest and distribution seasons can be summarized as follows:
- Red Hyang (Late December – April): Known for its high sweetness and soft pulp, it’s also easy to peel.
- Cheonhyehyang (March – Early May): Less sour, high in sweetness, and prized for its remarkable fragrance.
- Cheonggyul (March): Easily cultivated with tender pulp, it’s widely grown by local farmers.
- Hanrabong (Late December – Late April): Known for its strong sweetness and abundant pulp. It’s characterized by its tangy-sweet taste and refreshing aroma. The protruding tip resembles the peak of Hallasan Mountain, giving it its name.
- Hwanggeumhyang (Late August – Late December): Abundant in juice, thin skin, and less sour compared to Red Hyang and Hanrabong. It has a unique fragrance.
“Special Regulation Maintaining Tangerine Quality in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province”
Tangerines are cultivated throughout Jeju Island, and among them, tangerines from the warm southern region of Seogwipo have the highest sugar content.
To ensure the quality of tangerines in Jeju Island, there is a regulation that tangerines that do not meet a certain level of sweetness cannot be distributed. The criteria are that they must be between 49mm – 70mm in size, and have a sweetness level of 9 Brix or higher. For reference, Brix is a unit used to measure the sugar content in grapes used for winemaking, where 1 Brix equals 1 gram of sugar in 100 grams of grape juice.
As different types of tangerines are available for distribution depending on the season, visiting Jeju Island at different times of the year allows you to experience slightly different tastes of the island.