{{Short description|Lemons found in Assam, India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}} thumb|A Kaji Nemu The '''Assam lemon''', also known as '''''nemu tenga''''' in Assamese, are cultivars of lemon, which are found and cultivated in the Indian state of Assam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.agricultureinformation.com/lemon-cultivation/|title=Lemon Cultivation -|date=2013-09-22|access-date=2018-05-11|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> The most popular of them are 'Kaji Nemu' and 'Gul Nemu'. "Kaji Nemu" has been declared as the State Fruit of Assam, by the Cabinet. The Agriculture Department of the Government of Assam has amplified its production. These lemons are an important part of Assamese cuisine .These lemon are also famous for their significant smell.
The Assam government in February 2024 named it as state fruit.<ref>https://thenewsmill.com/2024/02/assam-government-declares-kaji-nemu-as-state-fruit/</ref>
Assam lemons are used for preparing refreshing drinks and pickles as well as garnishing curry and other dishes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sustainability-and-social-innovation.com/design-and-development-of-a-hand-operated-assam-lemon-fruit-harvester.html|title=Design and Development of a Hand Operated Assam Lemon Fruit Harvester|website=Sustainability and Social Innovation Lab|language=en|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref>
Other citrus from Assam includes Jora Tenga, Bore Tenga, Elaichi Tenga etc.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Indigenous Collections of Citrus from Assam |url=http://www.nbpgr.ernet.in:8080/cryobank/AccessionDetails.aspx?state=Assam&&cgrp=5&&cid=655 |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=ICAR-NBPGR Cryo Database}}</ref>
== Varieties ==
=== Gol Nemu === Gol Nemu is similar to the other lemons found in India. Its botanical name is ''Citrus jambhiri.''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title='Kaji nemu' A registered product under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. |url=http://www.aau.ac.in/data/docs/Kaji-Nemu.pdf |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam}}</ref> It is round but smaller than other varieties and has an aroma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=DE News |date=2020-08-07 |title=A Guide to the Lemons of Assam - Discover East - Food of Assam |url=http://www.discovereast.in/food/a-guide-to-the-lemons-of-assam/ |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=Discover East |language=en-US}}</ref> It is sweeter than other lemons and Kaji Nemu. It has lots of medicinal value.When the lemon ripens, its colour changes to yellow and it becomes sweeter.{{fact|date=February 2020}}
=== Kaji Nemu === {{Main article|Kaji Nemu}} thumb|Kaji Nemu in Assamese Thali. It is in the upper right position to the rice, near salt and green chilli Kaji Nemu is other variety of this lemon and is elongated and oblong compared to others and is also seedless.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/regulars/australian-finger-lime-citric-caviar/|title=Australian finger lime: Citric caviar - Outlook Traveller|work=Outlook Traveller|access-date=2018-02-15|language=en-US}}</ref> Its botanical name is ''Citrus limon '' and is a GI-certified product.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Karelia |first=Gopi |date=2021-08-17 |title=Assam's 'Accidental' Seedless Lemon Variety Doubles Farmer Profits in UK |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/260719/assam-village-exports-kaji-nemu-lemon-uk-profits-gi/ |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=The Better India |language=en}}</ref> This lemon is generally juicer than Gol Nemu due to its longer size. It is popular in Assam and is associated with Assamese cuisine. It is as generally larger than Gol Nemu and also turns yellow during ripening.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://natasha-pointstoponder.blogspot.in/2014/06/precious-lemons.html?m=1|title=Precious Lemons|website=natasha-pointstoponder.blogspot.in|date=19 June 2014|access-date=2018-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kiran.nic.in/pdf/Agri-Kaleidoscope/Horticulture-resources/ASSAM_LEMON.pdf|title=ASSAM LEMON (Citrus Limon L. Burmf)|website=www.kiran.nic.in}}</ref>
Major producing districts include Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Cachar, Chirang, Nalbari and Dima Hasao.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Sentinel Digital |date=2022-03-27 |title=Kaji Nemu - Sentinelassam |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/editorial/kaji-nemu-584658 |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=www.sentinelassam.com |language=en}}</ref>thumb|Kaji Nemu plant in Malappuram, Kerala, India
=== Comparison of some varieties === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Name<ref name=":0" /> !Kaji nemu !Gol nemu !Jora tenga |- !Botanical Name |''Citrus limon'' |''Citrus jambhiri'' |''Citrus medica'' |- !Growth Habitat |Bushy spreading |Erect |Erect |- !No. of fruits per plant |150 - 200 |100 - 120 |50 - 80 |- !Length of fruit (cm) |7 - 9 |4 - 5 |10 - 15 |- !Fruit weight (g) |90 - 100 |40 - 60 |120 - 180 |- !Peel thickness (cm) |0.50 - 0.75 |0.70 - 0.90 |0.80 - 1.02 |- !Juice per fruit (cm<sup>3</sup>) |22 - 25 |16 - 18 |20 - 23 |- !Seeds per fruit |0 |5 - 6 |8 - 10 |- !Acid (%) |3.0 - 3.3 |2.8 - 3.0 |2.0 - 2.5 |- !No. of segments per fruit |9 - 12 |6 - 8 |11 - 15 |- !TSS (<sup>0</sup>Brix) |6.35 - 6.38 |6.20 - 6.50 |6.50 - 6.90 |- !Ascorbic Acid (mg/ml) |1.50 - 1.65 |1.20 - 1.45 |0.90 - 1.10 |}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Citrus}}
Category:Lemons Category:Sour fruits Category:Citrus hybrids
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