Food · Fermented foods

Hassaku (Hassaku Citrus)

はっさく (Hassaku)

Also known as: Hassaku, Citrus hassaku, 八朔

Looking for a Japanese supplier of Hassaku (Hassaku Citrus)? Tell us

At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameはっさく
Common Japanese notationsはっさく, 八朔, ハッサク
OriginHassaku (Citrus hassaku); discovered in Hiroshima Innoshima around 1860; principal modern production regions Wakayama (volume leader), Hiroshima (Innoshima heritage), Ehime; late-winter to early-spring harvest
Typical functionsLate-winter citrus retail (slightly tart-bitter profile distinct from sweet citrus), Premium gift retail, Confectionery and dessert ingredient
Regulatory status in JapanStandard agricultural product labeling. Wakayama major production. Not a designated allergen.

Hassaku (はっさく / 八朔) is a Japanese citrus discovered in Hiroshima Innoshima around 1860, with characteristic slightly tart-bitter flavor distinct from sweet citrus. Wakayama leads volume production; Hiroshima Innoshima retains heritage area positioning.

Find OEM manufacturers

Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Fresh whole hassaku (February-April)
  • Hassaku-flavored sweets
  • Wakayama Arida-area gift retail

Ingredient profile

Citrus hassaku, native Japanese late-winter citrus.

OEM applications

Late-winter citrus retail.

Confectionery applications.

For OEM: fresh retail, confectionery ingredient supply.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUNiche specialty positioning.
USANiche specialty positioning.
ChinaNiche specialty positioning.
KoreaNiche specialty positioning.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after verification.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Seasonality & supply calendar

Harvest months
January – April (storage-cured)
Peak supply
February – March
Off-season
May – December

Source: 農林水産省 果樹生産出荷統計. Hiroshima leads production. Fruit is harvested December – January but cellared 1–2 months to mellow acidity.

Storage requirements

How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.

Temperature
Chilled 4°C; cellared in barn for 1–2 months pre-retail (acidity drop)
Conditions
Cellar-cured for premium grade
Shelf life
Cellar-cured 2 months; chilled 4 weeks

Supply concentration

Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.

Primary regions
Wakayama (#1 nationally per 特産果樹生産動態等調査), Hiroshima (#2 with approximately 12%), Tokushima — top 3 prefectures together account for ~91%
Import dependence
100% domestic

農林水産省 果樹生産出荷統計

Certifications commonly available

Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.

SchemeAvailability
Organic JASOn-request
HalalInherent
VeganInherent

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Hassaku (Hassaku Citrus)?
Hassaku (はっさく / 八朔) is a Japanese citrus discovered in Hiroshima Innoshima around 1860, with characteristic slightly tart-bitter flavor distinct from sweet citrus. Wakayama leads volume production; Hiroshima Innoshima retains heritage area positioning.
What is the regulatory status of Hassaku (Hassaku Citrus) in Japan?
Standard agricultural product labeling. Wakayama major production. Not a designated allergen.
What products typically use Hassaku (Hassaku Citrus)?
Fresh whole hassaku (February-April) / Hassaku-flavored sweets / Wakayama Arida-area gift retail
Where does Hassaku (Hassaku Citrus) come from?
Hassaku (Citrus hassaku); discovered in Hiroshima Innoshima around 1860; principal modern production regions Wakayama (volume leader), Hiroshima (Innoshima heritage), Ehime; late-winter to early-spring harvest
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Hassaku (Hassaku Citrus)?
JSCI: はっさく

Search the academic literature

Pre-filled queries for the major research databases. Opens in a new tab.

Official regulatory databases

External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.

References

  1. 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — はっさく

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

Explore more Japan-market resources

Related tools for overseas buyers, formulators, and sourcing teams.