• Coorg Orange is also known as Coorg Mandarin.
• It is a cultivar of orange from Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka.
• GI Status: Granted in 2006.
• Cultivated for more than 150 years.
• Major cultivation areas:
  • Kodagu
  • Hassan
  • Chikmagalur
• Traditionally grown as a secondary crop in coffee plantations.
• In the 1960s, cultivation covered about 24,000 ha.
• In recent years, cultivation has declined to less than 2,000 ha.
• Coorg oranges are regarded as man-made hybrids of mandarins (Citrus reticulata).
• Fruit characteristics:
  • Greenish-yellow colour
  • Tight skin
  • Sweet-sour taste
  • Longer shelf life
• Unlike Nagpur orange, Coorg orange has tight skin and sweet-sour taste.
• Unique characteristics are associated with:
  • Hilly terrain
  • Well-drained soil
  • Heavy rainfall
• Major reasons for decline:
  • Diseases
  • Emergence of Nagpur orange
  • Other factors
• Yield has declined from more than 50 kg/plant to around 10 kg/plant.
• Average fruit production is reported as over 45,000 tonnes.

⭐ Exam Quick Revision

• Coorg Orange = Coorg Mandarin
• State → Karnataka
• Main region → Kodagu
• GI → 2006
• Scientific name mentioned → Citrus reticulata
• Fruit colour → Greenish-yellow
• Taste → Sweet-sour
• Skin → Tight
• Traditional association → Coffee plantations
• 1960s area → 24,000 ha
• Recent area → <2,000 ha
• Yield → >50 kg → ~10 kg/plant
• Key conditions → Hilly terrain + well-drained soil + heavy rainfall