This Sweet New Collab Will Help You Make Sumo Orange Season Last Year Round

By now, we all know the drill when it comes to Sumo oranges.

The unusual orange variety turns up like clockwork in supermarkets nationwide every January—the start of its peak growing season—and becomes a social media star, earning rave reviews from the likes of Food Network icon Alex Guarnaschelli, social media mega-influencer Bretman Rock, and everyone in between. And then, come April, it vanishes into obscurity once again. 

It’s truly a shame we can’t get our hands on these delicious, easy-to-peel mega-oranges all year round, but a new Brightland olive oil collaboration launched Wednesday will help all of us Sumo Citrus heads bring the fruit’s signature flavor into our kitchens beyond its peak season.

Sumo Citrus Flavored Olive Oil

What Makes Sumo Oranges Unique

Of course, Sumo oranges aren't exactly new. The fruit variety dates back to the 1970s in Japan, where a grower combined Satsuma, orange, and mandarin varieties into a juicy, sweet bite. It was specifically bred over a period of some three decades for sweetness and convenience, as the Sumo doesn’t have seeds and features a thick skin that peels away easily, usually in one go. Its trees also take a long time to mature, so they tend to be pricier than most of the other oranges available in the produce section. 

Trendy California Collab

The Sumo Citrus Flavored Olive Oil leverages these unique qualities. It is described in the official press release as a “liquid gold” finishing oil, "bursting with mandarin complexity that transforms every bite into a taste-of-joy moment,” all with a nectary sweetness and no bitterness. 

"As two beloved California brands with a shared commitment to quality, we're bottling our love of California-grown, distinct flavor and premium quality into one bold olive oil,” Sunnia Gull, vice president of marketing at Sumo Citrus, said in a press release. “Now, followers of the brand can celebrate the joy of Sumo Citrus flavor during our peak season and beyond in a new, creative way, whether in salads, sweets, or even cocktails and mocktails. It's bright, expressive, and an oil you'll reach for again and again.”

How to Use Sumo Sumo Citrus Flavored Olive Oil

The company is offering plenty of ideas on how to put the buzzy new collab to use, too. Its suggestions include whisking the oil into salad dressing, roasting it with winter vegetables, including it in a marinade for chicken, pouring it over ice cream, and using it to finish off a piece of ricotta or avocado toast. We could even see it adding an exclamation point at the end of a cocktail, such as a mimosa or an old-fashioned. Even better: Imagine this taking an olive oil cake to a whole other level?

Our Thoughts

A taste of this limited-time olive oil sounded too good to pass up, so associate editor Isabella Milano happily volunteered to test.

Sumo Citrus and Brightland's hospitality truly shone brightly at an intimate dinner showcasing Sumo Citrus olive oil-infused dishes. From buttery scallop crudo bites drizzled with the olive oil to Sumo Citrus-marinated chicken braised with leek miso, each plate was elevated by the flavor-packed oil.

"Every bite infused with the olive oil felt like a bright, summer day," Milano says. "I was pleasantly surprised by how many dishes work well with a citrus olive oil. And to top off a wonderful evening, the team served an airy, winter citrus tiramisu. I know I'll be stocking up on this product so I can enjoy it for months to come!"

Where to Get It

The new olive oil is available exclusively from Brightland’s website. It is sold in 375 mL / 12.7 fl. oz. bottles at $48 (MSRP $60), while supplies last.