Kinnow
| Kinnow | |
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| Export quality kinnow | |
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| Species: | C. reticulata
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| Binomial name | |
| Citrus reticulata | |
Kinnow (also Kinoo) is a citrus fruit variety majorly grown in Punjab Pakistan and to a lesser extent in north Indian states, mainly Punjab and Rajasthan. Kinnow was developed by H.B. Frost at the University of California at Riverside in 1935 by cross-pollinating the King and the Willow-Leaf varieties of mandarin.[1]
Description
The small orange fruits have more seeds per wedge in comparison to other citrus fruits. The seeds of kinnow are naturally diploid or tetraploid. Seedless triploid varieties have been developed, but these are still undergoing testing whether the fruit is healthy for consumption.
Kinnow season starts in November and ends in March, a longer picking season than any other citrus variety.
Production and consumption
Pakistan is the largest producer and exporter of kinnow, responsible for 80% of the market. In Pakistan, kinnow is processed on state of art processing units. Some of the major processors and exporters have HACCP food safety certification from bodies such as GlobalGAP and the British Retail Consortium.
The Gulf states, Russia and Ukraine are the largest export markets for the fruit.[2]
Processing
Till recently Kinnow processing of Kinnow was not feasible because ,Kinnow is very perishable and it cannot be processed into juice which develops bitterness due to presence of certain compounds. But recently students of Thapar Institute Of Engg. & Technology, Patiala; have been able to develop a patented technology of Debetiring the juice. Tropicana has also entered into a partnership with PunjabAgro to supply it with Kinnow contenterate juice.
References
- ^ Y. H. Hui, M. Pilar Cano, and Josef Barta (Editors). Handbook of Fruits and Fruit Processing. Wiley, John & Sons. 2006. ISBN-13: 9780813819815; page 312.
- ^ China imports 26 T of Pakistani kinnow for first time under FTA. Khaleej Times, February 27, 2008. Accessed August 16 2008