The Fruit We Wait for All Year Is Finally Back at Trader Joe’s

The cold winter months can leave you craving a piece of ripe, bright, flavorful fruit. While many stores carry a variety of produce year-round, there’s often a noticeable dip in appearance, taste, and overall quality compared to the warmer months, when a greater number of fruits and vegetables are in season.

Although we will have to wait a while for juicy summer berries, our January produce guide reminds us that many winter crops are available, including lemons, limes, tangerines, and oranges. In fact, one of our all-time favorite winter fruits is finally back at Trader Joe’s—and fellow TJ’s fans are just as excited to snag this seasonal gem.

Sumo Oranges Return to Trader Joe’s Shelves

Sumo Citrus is making its grand return to the TJ’s produce section. For those unfamiliar, Sumo Citrus, also known as Sumo oranges, are a large, seedless fruit that comes into season in the northern hemisphere between January and April. AC Foods, the grower behind the brand Sumo Citrus, describes the fruit on its website as “a hybrid mix between a mandarin, satsuma, and an orange. It is incredibly sweet, juicy, seedless, and uniquely easy to peel.”

The popular fruit is beloved by many (including Hoda Kotb) for its vibrant taste—but the biggest drawback is the high price compared to other citrus varieties. Even so, many fans make space in their budgets for the seasonal treat and are happy to see it return to stores.

In a Trader Joe’s Reddit thread from last winter, one customer shared a photo of their fruit bowl, which included a few large Sumo oranges. The Redditor said they found the oranges in St. Louis for $2.49 each, calling them “expensive but worth the splurge.”

“OK, it’s time for a TJ’s run for Sumos!” another fan said. Those who had tried Sumos stated they were better than navel oranges, comparing them more closely with tangerines and satsumas. “Generally easy to peel without a lot of pith, tends towards mild sweetness to sweet, not too acidic or sour,” wrote one Redditor.

If you don’t live near Trader Joe’s, you may have some luck finding Sumos at other stores. In a TikTok video from last winter, @brooke_lynnmilne showed off their Sumo haul and fans flooded the comments to share in the excitement. Some said they were able to find the fruit at additional retailers such as Publix, Sam’s Club, Target, and more.

So, the next time you head to the grocery store, be sure to grab a few Sumos and peel open a much-needed ray of sunshine.