Citrus myrtifolia Raf.

ORIGIN DATA:

Chinotto is a sour orange cultivar native to southern China. In the West it is very popular in Italy, and its name refers to its Chinese origin. Its scientific name denotes the similarity of the chinotto’s leaves to those of the common myrtle. The Landriana Chinotto was discovered in the Italian garden of the same name, designed by the landscape designer and painter Russell Page in the second half of the 20th century. It seems to be a mutation that gives the plant larger leaves than the common chinotto, and fruits that ripen earlier.

TREE AND FRUIT DESCRIPTION:

It is a slow-growing upright shrub, but very productive, with a tendency to form terminal clusters of fruit. It has large leaves among the chinottos, radially arranged around the stem and with short distance between internodes. Small fruits, round and flattened at the poles, yellow-orange when ripe but can reach an intense orange color. It has a tendency to show persistent style. The fruits grown in clusters are smaller than those that set individually. The rind is thin and aromatic, although less so than in other chinottos. Juicy flesh, with milder flavor than other chinottos, has sweet touches and medium acidity. Variable seed content.

USES:

In Italy, it is used to make the drink called Chinotto, as a flavoring of Amari and in carbonated soft drinks. In Liguria (Italy) it is candied whole, being a very appreciated dessert. It is also used to make marmalades.