Five-Sided Oranges are grown by japanese farmers for easier stack and store.
The five-sided fruits derive from the Ehime prefecture, where Japanese farmers typically cross-breed mandarins with oranges to yield “iyokan,” also known as a “Japanese Summer Orange.” To achieve the angular forms, the oranges are simply grown in pentagaon-shaped boxes — no crazy genetic modifications necessary.
According to the Japanese news outlet Pouch, right now there are only about 300 penta-oranges available, rendering them a highly valued commodity. Not that there was anything wrong with round oranges, but the very possibility of fruit taking on an entirely new shape brings to mind all the countless recipes and dishes they might inspire, especially by chefs who focus on artful plating.