Mert’s Satsumas in Gulfport opens for season

There’s nothing like a satsuma on a fall day. News 25’s Brooke Parter stopped by Mert’s Satsuma to see how the unpredictable weather is affecting their fall harvest.

With the first chilly fall morning comes one of Mississippi’s favorite fruits: the satsuma.

Mert’s Satsuma, Mississippi’s only public satsuma orchard, began in 1999 with some clearance trees.

Now it’s bloomed into a nearly 500 tree orchard. It’s been a challenging year for farmers in Mississippi, even the Merritts.

They are starting the season with half the supply they planted. It wasn’t all the heat’s fault, but also the cold snap we got back in March.

The Merrits are firm believers that fruit that survives a rough year tastes the best. Contrary to popular belief, they tell us a dry summer makes for a sweeter satsuma. Valerie Merritt said, “There’s not as much this year, due to the freezes and the drought, but it’s delicious this year!”

Glenn Merritt said, “Satsuma’s are supposed to be more concentrated when they get dry. When the ground is dry. And I just took at hydrometer reading out there, just a few minutes ago. When we started it, it was at a 10, now it’s at a 16. So that means it’s 16% sugar in the fruit.”