If a bright orange fruit with thick glossy skin takes the place of pride on your dining table, it is for a good reason. Known as Kinnow, Kinoo or Kinu, it is a native of Punjab and is abundantly found in winter. These bright, reddish, and smooth-skinned hybrids are a variety of mandarin oranges. They are a powerhouse of carbohydrates and are known as one of the best energy sources.
While Kinnow is widely popular in North India, many consumers fail to differentiate between a regular Orange and a Kinnow. If you fall within the same segment, this article is for you. The article will thoroughly explain the difference between a Kinnow and an Orange. It will also provide a brief overview of the countless benefits of consuming fruit.
The difference between Kinnow and Orange
Kinnow is often termed the identical twin of orange. Popularly known as the king of fruits in Punjab, it is a hybrid variety produced by Willow Leaf (Citrus X Deliciosa) and King (Citrus Nobilis), whereas orange is a fusion of citrus reticulata and citrus maxima.
Though Kinnow comes from the same citrus family as oranges, its mandarin feature gives it a sweeter taste and a smaller oblate (pumpkin-type) size. This pumpkin-shaped mandarin is cold-resistant.
Kinnow is cheaper than oranges because it has more seeds. Also, Kinnow has thicker skin and is wrapped tightly around the fruit.
The best Kinnows have firm, smooth skin with deep grooves, while oranges are loose-jacketed and have thin skin.
While Kinnow glows in its deep yellow/carrot-orange colour, the skin of an orange has a lighter shade, varying from saffron to a candlelight orange colour. The colour ranges from deep orange to almost red.
Another reason it is more popular than orange is because of its high output as they are bigger in size and juicier. Though they look alike, Kinnow is acidic in taste, while oranges tend to be sweeter. This mandarin is an absolute delight for all those who love the boom in their tarty sweets.
Kinnow is fleshier and juicier than orange and is great for those who love the sour with the sweet, refreshing taste of citrus fruits.
Cultivation
Besides Punjab, Kinnow is also found in HP, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Kinnows are generally cultivated between August and October. The harvesting begins in December and ends in February. The favourable time to harvest Kinnows is between mid-January and mid-February. In sweltering climate conditions, Kinnows can grow up to 35 feet high. These trees are highly productive and can bear up to 1000 fruits per tree.
The nutritional value of Kinnow
While Kinnows are capable of blessing our taste buds with their unique flavours, they also pack a bunch of health benefits. Here are a few notable ones.
Calcium-rich: It has been discovered that Kinnows contain approximately twice the calcium of other citrus fruits. So munch on your Kinnow and know that your bones are going to be happy!
Helps in digestion: Kinnows are best known for aiding the digestive process. They are easily absorbed in the stomach, thus putting the least pressure on the digestive tract.
For those who are intolerant to lactose: This is ideal for someone who is lactose intolerant and can’t digest milk. Simply replace the glass of milk with a glass full of Kinnow juice, and you are all sorted.
Relieves acidity and heartburn: The mineral salts in Kinnow are well known to ease acidity and heartburn. Therefore, it is strongly advised that Kinnow must be consumed by anyone who leads a sedentary lifestyle, as immobility eventually leads to many issues with digestion.
Constipation relief: The fruit’s roughage content aids in treating chronic constipation. Two Kinnows daily is enough to offer substantial results.
An abundance of vitamin C and minerals: Kinnows are full of vitamin C and, as such, provide anti-ageing benefits to the skin. Eating or drinking its juice on a regular basis can give you a wonderful complexion. In fact, the combination of vitamin C and minerals adds health benefits and improves metabolism and offers flawless, glowing skin.
Natural body energiser: Eating Kinnows regularly energises the body. Vast amounts of carbohydrates, with glucose, sucrose, and fructose, combined, offer a great source of energy. A glass of Kinnow juice in the morning with breakfast is enough to keep you from feeling tired, proving that Kinnow juice is a glorious post-workout tonic.
Maintaining the balance of cholesterol levels: Studies have revealed that Kinnow juice impacts cholesterol levels. It helps reduce bad cholesterol levels and promotes good cholesterol in the body. In addition, the generation of good cholesterol levels inadvertently minimises the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack.
Kinnow is amply packed with goodness for a healthy life as this fruit also contains a good amount of vitamin B complex and minerals like potassium, sodium, and copper. All these things add a halo to this fantastic, nutritious citrus fruit which we relish.
Add to food
The Kinnow skin is edible and has an enticing taste. So use the Kinnow skin to make cakes, desserts and any savoury MasterChef dish.
Take advantage of Kinnow and its fantastic effect on our taste buds as well as our health.
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