Question

The Coorg mandarins are harvested when juice has an acidity of _________% and _________% of TSS.

• A. 0.3 and 8-10
• B. 0.4 and 12-14
• C. 0.5 and 15-18
• D. 0.6 and 19-20

Hint:

Remember that citrus fruit maturity is defined by a low acid percentage (\(\approx 0.3\%\)) and a moderate TSS percentage (\(\approx 8\text{--}10\%\)) to ensure sweet, high-quality juice.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Determining the optimum harvest maturity index is crucial for citrus fruits because they do not continue to ripen or improve in sweetness after they are harvested from the tree (non-climacteric fruits).
The maturity of mandarin oranges is scientifically evaluated using the Total Soluble Solids (TSS) percentage, acidity percentage, and the TSS:acid ratio.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Coorg mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a famous, unique citrus cultivar grown in the hilly tracts of Coorg (Karnataka, India), known for its distinct sweet-sour flavor profile.
As the fruit matures on the tree, the starch is converted into soluble sugars, causing the TSS to rise, while the organic acid concentration (mainly citric acid) falls.
The established optimal maturity standards and harvesting indices for Coorg mandarins require the fruit to be harvested when:
1. The juice acidity drops down to approximately 0.3% (or is in the range of \(0.3\text{--}0.5\%\)).
2. The Total Soluble Solids (TSS) of the juice reaches between 8--10%.
At this specific ratio, the fruit achieves the desired flavor balance, low bitterness, and maximum market acceptability.
Any premature harvest (higher acidity and lower TSS) results in extremely sour and unpalatable fruits.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Coorg mandarins are harvested when juice has an acidity of 0.3% and 8-10% of TSS.