The Shasta Gold™ (TDE2) is a patented triploid mandarin hybrid (Plant Patent #15,461) bred from Temple tangor and Dancy and Encore mandarins. This variety delivers impressively large fruit for a mandarin—averaging 75mm wide and 59mm tall, weighing approximately 185 grams each—with a moderately flat shape and minimal neck. The standout feature is its virtual seedlessness, even in mixed plantings, combined with rich, complex flavor. Fruit exhibits smooth rind texture under moderate to heavy crop loads, making peeling straightforward. Industry-standard size 15 classification reflects the substantial fruit size relative to typical mandarin varieties, offering excellent commercial appeal and superior eating quality.
