Food · Fermented foods

Ponkan (Ponkan Mandarin)

ぽんかん (Ponkan)

Also known as: Ponkan, Ponkan mandarin, Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan', ポンカン

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameぽんかん
Common Japanese notationsぽんかん, ポンカン, 椪柑
OriginPonkan mandarin (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan'); originated in India, established in Japanese cultivation since late Meiji; principal modern production regions Kochi, Ehime, Kagoshima; one of the parents of Shiranuhi/Dekopon
Typical functionsPremium late-winter mandarin retail, Aromatic citrus suitable for desserts and juices
Regulatory status in JapanStandard agricultural product labeling. Not a designated allergen.

Ponkan (ぽんかん) is a mandarin cultivar (Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan') established in Japanese cultivation since late Meiji. Highly aromatic with distinctive fragrance. One of the parents of Shiranuhi/Dekopon. The OEM positioning is premium late-winter mandarin retail.

Classification

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

Functions

Regulatory tags

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Fresh whole Ponkan (December-March)

What it is

Citrus reticulata 'Ponkan' mandarin, aromatic profile.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Premium fresh retail.

Dessert applications.

For OEM: fresh retail, juice production.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUNiche specialty positioning.
USANiche specialty positioning.
ChinaChina has substantial Ponkan production.
KoreaNiche specialty positioning.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — ぽんかん

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

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