Acid mandarins
Khatta mandarin
Citrus karna Raf.
TCF-280
VARIETAL GROUP
ORIGIN
AVAILABILITY
Mandarins and their hybrids
India
December – May

ORIGIN DATA:
The Khatta is the result of a natural hybridization between an old Mandarin and a Citron, both to be determined. It is native to northeastern India. Its fruits exhibit characters of Citrus jambhiri and sour orange or citron.
TREE AND FRUIT DESCRIPTION:
Vigorous, upright tree. Both young shoots and flowers are purple. Large fruits, variable in shape, but generally round to oval. They may have a wide and prominent apical mamelon. Rind very adherent to the pulp and variable texture: smooth, rough or ribbed. Bright orange color when ripe. Edible albedo, thick, mild flavor, can be somewhat flabby. Pulp scarce, yellow, juicy and very sour taste.
USES:
This species is used as rootstock in India. Its juice is used as a substitute for lemon, although its flavor is slightly different, with a predominant sour touch.