Coorg orange
{{Short description|Edible fruit cultivar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
File:Orange selling at Nisargadhama.JPG
Coorg orange, also called Coorg mandarin, is a cultivar of orange from Kodagu in Karnataka. It was given the Geographical Indication status in 2006.
Description
In the 1960s, Coorg orange was grown in land of 24,000 hectare area. In recent years the cultivation area has come down to less than 2,000 hectares. Coorg orange was mainly cultivated in the districts of Kodagu, Hassan and Chikmagalur as a secondary crop in coffee plantations for more than 150 years.{{cite web|title=Coorg oranges out of sight at mela?|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/article1409787.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201185248/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/article1409787.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2016|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=6 January 2013|accessdate=25 January 2016}}
Coorg oranges are regarded as man-made hybrids of mandarins (Citrus reticulata).{{cite web|last1=Aravamudan|first1=Sriram|title=The greenskeeper: It's orangeous, I say|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/columns/you/The-greenskeeper-Its-orangeous-I-say/articleshow/46165359.cms|publisher=Bangalore Mirror|accessdate=25 January 2016|date=8 February 2015}} Greenish-yellow in colour, they have a tight skin and a sweet-sour taste, unlike Nagpur oranges which are known to have loose skin and sweet taste.{{cite web|last1=Manoj|first1=P.|title=GI tag may help revive Coorg orange cultivation|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/gi-tag-may-help-revive-coorg-orange-cultivation/article3167448.ece|work=The Hindu|date=22 March 2006|accessdate=25 January 2016}} Coorg oranges are said to have longer shelf life compared to other varieties.{{cite web|last1=Chinnappa|first1=K. Jeevan|title=Reviving the famous 'Coorg mandarin'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/26/stories/2005012602340300.htm|date=26 January 2005|work=The Hindu|accessdate=25 January 2016}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The hilly terrain with well-drained soil and heavy rainfall in the region of cultivation are regarded as the reasons for the unique characteristics of this variety.{{cite web|title=Oranges: India ranks 64th in productivity|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/oranges-india-ranks-64th-in-productivity/article2687032.ece|publisher=The Hindu Business Line|accessdate=25 January 2016|date=4 December 2011}}
Coorg orange cultivation has decreased in recent years due to diseases, emergence of Nagpur orange, among other factors.{{cite web|title=Its Coorg oranges vs Nagpur oranges in Kodagu district|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/31693/its-coorg-oranges-vs-nagpur.html|publisher=Deccan Herald|accessdate=25 January 2016|date=21 October 2009}} The yield of each plant has come down to around 10kg which was once more than 50kg. The average production of the fruit is over 45,000 tonnes.{{cite web|last1=BR|first1=Rohith|title=Mangoes and grapes give K'taka farmers sweet taste of success|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Mangoes-and-grapes-give-Ktaka-farmers-sweet-taste-of-success/articleshow/50711434.cms|work=The Times of India|date=25 January 2016|accessdate=25 January 2016}}