Hickson Mandarin | Mandarins.com.au

Hickson mandarin is an Australian-bred mid-season variety with Queensland origins. It is larger than Imperial, has a distinctive slight neck at the stem end, juicy flesh, and a meaningful seed count. Hickson appears in independent grocers and some major retailers from July to August, and it is a useful mid-season option when early varieties have finished.

At a glance

Season: July to August (some regions to September)
Peel: Smooth, yellowish-orange with a slight gloss. Easy to peel
Seeds: 12 to 15 per fruit
Flavour: Juicy, good flavour, sweet
Size: Medium, averaging around 6 cm x 5 cm with a slight neck at the stalk end
Best for: Fresh eating, juicing, cooking (deseed before using)

Season in Australia

Hickson is a mid-season variety. It bridges the gap after early Imperial supply slows and before late-season Honey Murcott and Afourer peak. Harvest typically runs from July through August, with some regions extending to early September.

Nutrano, one of Australia’s larger citrus producers with farms across Queensland and Sunraysia, has described Hickson as “a tasty prelude to our Murcott mandarins which are extremely popular with our export markets.” Western Australian growers also include Hickson in their mandarin range, with WA Citrus listing it as available alongside Daisy and Afourer through the mid-winter season.

Flavour, peel, and seeds

Hickson has juicy, orange-coloured flesh and a good, sweet flavour. The skin is smooth and a yellowish-orange colour with a slight gloss. It peels readily. The main limitation is seed count: 12 to 15 seeds per fruit is high by modern commercial standards. For eating straight from the hand, the seeds are manageable but noticeable.

The fruit has a slight neck at the stem end, which makes it recognisable in a mixed display. Size averages around 6 cm x 5 cm, making it comparable to or slightly larger than a standard Imperial.

Where it is grown

Hickson is reported to have originated near Roma, Queensland. It is grown in Queensland, the Murray Valley, and Western Australia. Westridge Fruit and Vegetables lists Hickson as a regular variety on their shelves alongside Imperial, Honey Murcott, Daisy, and Afourer. WA Citrus includes Hickson as part of its mid-winter mandarin range.

Engalls Nursery, a Sydney-based specialist citrus retailer, describes Hickson as a Queensland-origin variety that prefers a milder climate but is sweet with great juice content.

Origin and history

Hickson mandarin originated in Queensland and is named for its connection to the Roma district. It has been part of the Australian commercial mandarin mix for several decades, sitting between the very popular Imperial and the later Honey Murcott in the season calendar.

It is less prominent now than it was in earlier decades, as newer varieties like Afourer and Royal Honey Murcott have taken market share, but Hickson retains a following among buyers who prefer mid-season fruit with good juice and established flavour.

Best uses in the kitchen

Hickson is suited to fresh eating and juicing. The high juice content makes it useful for blended citrus juices and dressings. For cooking, remove the seeds first: slice the fruit in half, pick out seeds with a spoon or tip, then use as you would any mandarin in cakes, curds, or glazes.

For marmalade, seeded varieties like Hickson give a good natural pectin level, which helps the set. Use Hickson marmalade for a mid-season preserve when Imperial is off and Honey Murcott has not yet arrived in volume.

Dehydrated Hickson peel is aromatic and can be used to flavour broths and syrups.

How it compares

Hickson vs Imperial: Imperial is easier and earlier. Hickson is juicier but has significantly more seeds.

Hickson vs Honey Murcott: Both arrive mid-to-late season. Honey Murcott is sweeter and richer in flavour but also seedy. Hickson has a simpler, clean mandarin flavour.

Hickson vs Afourer: Afourer usually carries far fewer seeds and has a deeper colour. Afourer is better for a seedless fresh eating experience; Hickson is more likely to be on shelves at a lower price point.

Buying and storing

Hickson may be labelled by variety name or may simply be sold as “mandarin” at markets and independent grocers. Look for the slight neck at the stem end and the yellowish-orange skin as distinguishing features. Choose fruit that feels heavy for its size.

Store in the fridge in a bag or crisper. Use within one to two weeks.

Growing it at home

Hickson is available as a grafted tree from some specialist nurseries. It suits subtropical and warm temperate climates and does well in milder coastal Queensland, NSW, and southern states. The tree grows to 3 to 4 metres. A dwarf variety is sometimes listed separately and is suitable for large pots.

For more on varieties suited to backyard growing, see best backyard mandarin trees and mandarin tree care.