Food · Seasonings
Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa)
シークヮーサー (Shīkwāsā)
Also known as: Hirami lemon, Taiwan tangerine, Flat lemon
4Japanese suppliers ready to quoteView on the Sourcing platformWhy now · 2022 — ongoing
Shikuwasa: Okinawa's Functional Citrus With a Cognition Story
Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa) sits at the intersection of citrus and functional ingredient — a small Yanbaru harvest with cognitive-health interest building globally.
Read the trend reportAt a glance
| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract↗ |
| Common Japanese notations | シークヮーサー, シークワーサー, ヒラミレモン |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Citrus depressa fruit and peel, native to the Ryukyu Islands) |
| Typical functions | Antioxidant (nobiletin), Bright citrus flavor |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Food ingredient. Cosmetic ingredient under JSCI. Traditional Ryukyu citrus staple. |
Shikuwasa is a small green citrus native to the Ryukyu Islands, known for the highest nobiletin (polymethoxyflavone) concentration among edible citrus fruits. Ogimi Village in northern Okinawa — often discussed in Blue Zone literature — is the largest producing area. Commercial applications span juice, seasoning, and cosmetic aromatics.
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Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Juices
- Ponzu and citrus sauces
- Beverages
- Aromatic cosmetics
Ingredient profile
Citrus depressa Hayata is a small, acidic green citrus with a distinctive tart-aromatic profile. The peel and whole fruit are rich in nobiletin and tangeretin; the juice supplies citric acid and characteristic volatile esters.
Commercial forms include fresh juice (100 L batches for beverage processors), dried peel powder, cold-pressed peel oil, and spray-dried extract. Ogimi Village (JA Okinawa branch) is a key production and export hub.
OEM applications
Food and beverage: ponzu vinegar-sauce, juices, carbonated drinks, craft cocktails, and confectionery (tart sweets).
Cosmetics: aromatic citrus compositions, hair tonics, and brightening-positioned leave-on cosmetics.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Food ingredient. Cosmetic ingredient accepted under JSCI.
Farmers-cooperative export activities use the 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) centralized export certification issuance system.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| USA | GRAS-relevant for citrus; FDA food-facility registration applies for juice exports. |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import rules. Cosmetic use follows CosIng; verify citrus-photosensitivity guidance. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification. The Ogimi-mura shikuwasa GI application status should be checked before referencing it as GI-protected.
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.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa)?
- Shikuwasa is a small green citrus native to the Ryukyu Islands, known for the highest nobiletin (polymethoxyflavone) concentration among edible citrus fruits. Ogimi Village in northern Okinawa — often discussed in Blue Zone literature — is the largest producing area. Commercial applications span juice, seasoning, and cosmetic aromatics.
- What is the regulatory status of Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa) in Japan?
- Food ingredient. Cosmetic ingredient under JSCI. Traditional Ryukyu citrus staple.
- What products typically use Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa)?
- Juices / Ponzu and citrus sauces / Beverages / Aromatic cosmetics
- Where does Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa) come from?
- Plant-derived (Citrus depressa fruit and peel, native to the Ryukyu Islands)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Shikuwasa (Citrus depressa)?
- INCI: Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
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Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What is shikuwasa?
Shikuwasa is Citrus depressa Hayata, a small green citrus native to the Ryukyu Islands. Ogimi Village in northern Okinawa is the largest producing area.
Sources
Q. What is nobiletin?
Nobiletin is a polymethoxyflavone concentrated in the peel of certain citrus fruits, including shikuwasa. Among edible citrus, shikuwasa is widely cited as having one of the highest nobiletin contents.
Q. What INCI name applies to the cosmetic-use extract?
The INCI name commonly used is Citrus Depressa Fruit Extract.
Sources
- Source dossier (provided)
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. When is shikuwasa harvested?
Harvest runs from August (acidic green fruit for juice and ponzu) through February (ripening fruit). Different harvest windows produce distinct flavor profiles and flavonoid concentrations.
Sources
- Source dossier (provided)
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Use cases
Juices and beverages
- Positioning
- Single-origin Ryukyu citrus beverage category
- Formulation notes
- Bright tart-aromatic profile; pasteurization and HPP both used
Sources
- Source dossier (provided)
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Ponzu and citrus sauces
- Positioning
- Premium Japanese-cuisine ponzu and dressing applications
- Formulation notes
- Acidity must be balanced against soy and dashi components
Sources
- Source dossier (provided)
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Confectionery
- Positioning
- Tart sweets and Okinawa souvenir confectionery
- Formulation notes
- Spray-dried extract enables shelf-stable powder applications
Sources
- Source dossier (provided)
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Aromatic cosmetics
- Positioning
- Bright citrus brightening-positioned skincare and hair tonics
- Formulation notes
- Use bergapten-controlled grades for leave-on products
Sources
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- Okinawa Prefectural Agricultural Research Center — Shikuwasa nobiletin studies
- JA Okinawa — Ogimi-mura shikuwasa export program
Last updated: 2026-04-23. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.