Food · Fermented foods

Shiranuhi (Dekopon)

しらぬひ (Shiranuhi)

Also known as: Shiranuhi, Dekopon, Citrus 'Shiranuhi', 不知火, デコポン

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At a glance

Category	Food
Japanese labeling name	しらぬひ
Common Japanese notations	しらぬひ, 不知火, デコポン, シラヌヒ
Origin	Shiranuhi citrus (Citrus 'Shiranuhi') — hybrid of Kiyomi × Ponkan, developed by Japan's Fruit Tree Research Institute; characteristic 'top-knot' protrusion (giving 'Dekopon' name — 'deko' = bump); principal production regions Kumamoto (Dekopon trademark holder), Ehime, Hiroshima, Saga, Wakayama
Typical functions	Premium late-winter/spring citrus retail, Juice production, Confectionery and dessert ingredient, Premium gift retail (Kumamoto Dekopon brand)
Regulatory status in Japan	Standard agricultural product labeling. 'Dekopon' is a registered trademark held by JA Kumamoto-ken; only fruit meeting specific quality standards (Brix sugar level, citric acid level) and from authorized cooperatives can be branded 'Dekopon'; other producers sell as 'Shiranuhi.' Not a designated allergen.

Shiranuhi (しらぬひ / 不知火) — popularly called Dekopon — is one of Japan's most successful modern hybrid citrus (Kiyomi × Ponkan, registered 1972). The characteristic 'top-knot' protrusion gives the popular name. The OEM positioning is premium late-winter/spring citrus: as fresh retail (peak February-April), as juice production, and as premium gift retail. Critical brand-protection note: 'Dekopon' is a registered trademark of JA Kumamoto-ken — only fruit meeting specific quality standards (Brix ≥13, acid ≤1.0%) from authorized cooperatives can use the Dekopon name. Other producers sell as 'Shiranuhi.'

Classification

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

Product applications

Functions

Flavoring

Regulatory tags

Culinary ingredient

Origin

Plant-derived

Used in (typical product categories)

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

Fresh whole Shiranuhi/Dekopon (February-April peak)
Premium Kumamoto Dekopon gift retail
Juice production

What it is

Shiranuhi citrus, hybrid of Kiyomi × Ponkan with distinctive top-knot protrusion.

Production: Kumamoto (Dekopon trademark holder), Ehime, Hiroshima, Saga, Wakayama.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Premium late-winter citrus retail.

Juice production.

Confectionery applications.

Premium Kumamoto Dekopon gift retail.

For OEM: fresh retail (Dekopon trademark requires authorization, otherwise Shiranuhi naming), juice OEM, premium gift retail.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. 'Dekopon' trademark restricted to JA Kumamoto-authorized cooperative product meeting quality standards.

'Shiranuhi' (general name) is unrestricted.

Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EU	Niche specialty positioning.
USA	Sumo Citrus brand markets shiranuhi-style fruit in US (licensed).
China	China has its own bumpy-citrus production.
Korea	Korea has substantial Hallabong (한라봉) — same shiranuhi cultivar with Korean naming.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification of brand status (Dekopon authorized vs Shiranuhi).

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.

Related ingredients

Kiyomi

Used in similar product applications

Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.

Sharing similar functions

Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.

From the same origin

Other ingredients that share an origin classification.

References

MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — しらぬひ
JA Kumamoto-ken Dekopon trademark documentation

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