HISTORY OF KINOO

Kinoo is a variety Mandarin (citrus fruit) often grown in Punjab Pakistan and to a lesser extent in north Indian states, mainly Punjab and Rajasthan. The Kinnow was developed by H.B. Frost at the University of California at Riverside in 1935, by cross-pollinating the King tangor and the Willow Leaf or Mediterranean Mandarin. Courtesy of the parent stock, another name of this hybrid Citrus is Wilking.

FRUIT PROCESSING

Food processing includes the selection of good-quality mandarins. They are selected according to firm to slightly soft. It is also chosen according to smooth-skinned with no deep grooves.
Another important factor associated with Food processing is the coloring will be deep orange to almost red. Human hands can better judge and avoid product with soft spots, dull and faded coloring or rough and bumpy skin

PRODUCATION AND CONSUMPTION

Kinnow is a hybrid of two citrus cultivars; "King" and "Willow Leaf" and is classified as Kinnow mandarin. It was introduced from California to the Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute, Lyallpur (now University of Agriculture, Faisalabad) in the sub-continent in 1943-44. This "easy peel" citrus has assumed special economic importance and export demand being acknowledged for its high juice content, special flavour, and as a rich source of vitamin C. In per capita terms, the annual availability of citrus is nearly 12.5 kg of which kinnow makes up about 8 kg. A consumption of 8 kg per capita implies the availability of 1206 milligrams of vitamin-c, 1520 milligrams of calcium, 684 milligrams of phosphorous and nearly 16 milligrams of iron, per head during the citrus production season. In the citrus production season, kinnow consumption can make a significant contribution to improve human diet in terms of total micronutrient intake.
Most of the target export markets of Pakistani kinnow are those of developing countries. Only 2.6 per cent of kinnow exports target markets of developed countries, which is due to the emerging demand for seedless kinnow by the developed countries. About 61 per cent of total world exports of oranges and mandarins are of seedless varieties. Unfortunately, Pakistan is not producing seedless kinnow, due to which its target markets are limited and mostly confined to Middle East countries. Some important export markets for kinnow are: Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia.

JUICE PROCESSING

There are some juice extracting units in Pakistan, producing Kinnow Juice concentrate intended for export to the USA and the EU. In India, the Kinnow juice processing industry is developing rapidly. In 2008 two new juice processing plants, each having a processing capacity of about 400 tons/day have started. Tropicana and Jain Irrigation have hired these plants from Punjab Agro to produce Kinnow juice concentrate

VARAITY OF ORANGE

Kinnow (or kinoo) is a citrus fruit variety Mandarin majorly grown in Punjab Pakistan
Pakistan as a nation produces about 8 per cent of the world's citrus fruits but sells out only 0.5 per cent of its harvest abroad. These fruits are grown nearly in all the four provinces in varying proportions. But then the product is concentrated in Punjab which grows 95 per cent of the national output. And it is the Sargodha business which alone accounts for 70 per cent of the provincial production.The popular varieties grown in Punjab include oranges, Red Blood, Mausami, Ruby Red , Jaffa , Fruiter, Malta, limes and lemons.
Approximately about 60 per cent of total citrus production is comprised of mandarin being popularly know as 'Kinnow'. Quality wise, 'Kinnow' is the most important variety. It is relished both domestically and internationally for its flavour. It is golden in colour and has a thin loose skin. This variety has been obtained through the cross-breeding of two other varieties 'King' and 'Will Leaf'.with the peak occurring in mid January.
. The advent and use of controlled atmosphere cold storage, have, however made it possible sell citrus fruit as late as April extending the market season considerably in fresh condition. In Pakistan the kinnow is grown under totally natural conditions to enhance the original flavour of the fruit and to preserve its fundamental goodness

TYPES OF KINOO

The popular varieties grown in Punjab include oranges,

* Red Blood,
*Mausami,
*Ruby Red ,
*Jaffa ,
*Fruiter,
*Malta,
*Limes
* lemons.