Before describing the 'Kinnow' a member fruit of the citrus family, a short historical recital on the citrus family will be of interest to readers. It is an admitted fact that most citrus species originated in Asia, around the Khasia Hills of Assam and southern parts of China, from where this fruit was propagated to other parts of the world.
In the 15th century, citrus trees were raised only in private gardens of Moghul emperors and other rich people, as this was considered to be a luxury; and commercial exploitation was limited.
Historical records prove that an orange variety popularly known as 'SANGTAREH' was grown around Lahore provincial capital of Punjab, Pakistan. Moghul Emperor Humayun praised this fruit in the following words. "Indeed there is no pleasanter fruit than the 'SAMTEREH', a local name for sweet orange. Further, SANGTRA is also mentioned in the famous book 'AIN-E-AKBARI' by Moghul Emperor Akbar the great; after this the fruit was popularly called 'SHAHI SANGTRA' or KING ORANGE.
WHY NAMED KINNOW:
Kinnow was evolved as a result of cross between 'King' and 'Willow-leaf'.
The cross was made by H. B. Frost, a citrus breeder at the Citrus Research Cenre, University of California, USA in 1951. Both of the parents have Indo-China origins. The name was derived by combining the first and last words of the two parents i.e. 'KIN' from King and 'OW' from Willow joined by 'N' in the centre to form 'KINNOW'. Kinnow when ripe is deep cadmium yellow. The surface is smooth and glossy. Its shape is oblong round. The size is medium to large. The rind is easy to peel.
The fruit is very juicy, fleshy and can be divided very easily into individual segments.
The fruit was commercially exploited around the year 1958, and is now luxuriously grown in Pakistan. Kinnow is now known the world-ever for its special flavour and exquisite taste which is result of a series of grafting and hybridisation research work conducted in Pakistan over the years.
PHYSICAL FEATURES:
The colour of the kinnow, when ripe, is soothing, deep cadmium yellow; while the surface is very smooth and glossy. Its shape is oblate round.
The size ranges from 64mm to 84mm in diameter. The rind of the kinnow is medium thick; with a slightly waxy appearance when harvested. Its pe-elability is excellent, without the recourse of a knife.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF KINNOW WHEN RIPE AND READY FOR CONSUMPTION IS GIVEN BELOW:
-- Juice contents (%) 47.50
-- Vitamin C (mg/100ml) 32.00
-- Calcium (mg/100ml) 40.00
-- Phosphorous (mg/100ml) 18.00
-- Iron (mg/100ml) 00.45
-- Reducing sugar % 03.75
-- Non reducing sugar % 03.65
The juice of ripe Kinnow mandarin must have TSS 12%, sugar 9%, acidity 1 (maximum) and TSS/Acid ratio 10.
PAKISTAN KINNOW PRODUCTION:
Pakistan annually produces over 2 million tons of citrus fruit, predominantly Kinnow mandarins. Kinnow production has increased over time.
HARVEST SEASON:
Kinnow harvest commences from mid November and continues up to May. However, January to March is the peak harvest season.
STORAGE LIFE:
The storage life of Kinnow varies form 60 days (late harvest) to 90 days (early harvest) if placed inside cold storage at 5 degree Celsius with plus minus variation of 2 degree Celsius, and relative humidity 85 to 90%. This enables extended market supplies.
INTERNATIONALLY TRADED SIZE SCALES:
KINNOW MANDARIN ORANGES:
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Size Scale of diameter in mm Size Scale of Diameter in mm
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1 63 0 >100
2 58-69 1 87-100
3 54-64 2 84-96
4 50-60 3 81-92
5 46-56 4 77-88
6 43-52 5 73-84
7 41-48 6 70-80
8 39-46 7 67-76
8 64-73
9 62-70
10 60-68
11 58-66
12 56-63
13 53-60
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KINNOW (MANDARIN) OF MORE THAN 63 MM IN DIAMETER WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS FOLLOWS:
No 1-X 63-74 mm
No. 1-XX 67-78 mm
No. 1-XXX 78 mm and above
PAKISTAN KINNOW EXPORTS (2004/5)
Pakistan exported about 200,000 tons. Gulf states, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan & CIS are traditional markets. East Europe, Iran and China are emerging markets. This year export to Russian Federation exceeded 31,000 tons, Ukraine 5,000 tons and Iran 22,000 tons.
PACKAGING STANDARDS:
The packaging standards generally traded are 6, 8, 10 and 13 kg in corrugated boxes. The number of counts generally varies from 32 pieces to 72 pieces per box. Both packaging size and number of counts per package are adjustable to importers demand.
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