Pinus gerardiana, known as the chilgoza pine or neoza, growing at elevations between 1800 and 3350 metres.
Crunchy yet butter textured, pleasantly sweet and delicious pine nuts are small edible seeds of female cone in a pine tree. Pine kernels are, indeed, very good source of plant derived nutrients, essential minerals, vitamins and "heart friendly" mono-unsaturated fatty acids that help benefit in reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca ) is an important fruit crop of midhill and dry temperate regions of India . Cultivated apricot has its origin in North-Eastern China, whereas wild apricot, popularly known as khumani, appears to be indigenous to India . It grows wild in hills of Shimla and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh. Fruit is delicious. It is rich in vitamin A and contains more carbohydrates, proteins, phosphorous and niacin than many other common fruits. Besides its use as dessert, it is also canned and dried. Fruit is processed into jam, nectar and squash. The kernels are either sweet or bitter, depending upon the variety. The bitter kernels are used for oil extraction.
Kinnaur is rich in apricot diversity and many trees of wild apricot (chulli) can be found growing here. Apricots growing in the region are popularly known as Khumani, Khumbani, Zardalu and Chulli. The fruits are attractive, tasty and nutritious. According to experts, apricot originated in northeastern China. In India, apricot is found growing in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and to some extent in the hills of North East. Generally, trees with reddish brown bark are 6-9 meters in height. Fruits are yellow coloured with red blush, creamy flesh and flat smooth stones.
The fruits are used in various ways. Tree ripen fruits are eaten after meals instead of sweets. Fruits are also dried. Various type of processed products like Nectar, Pappad and Murabba are also made. The pulp of chulli fruits is used for making local beverages and fruit kernels are used for oil extraction.
Dry apricots are grown in Pooh, Namgia, Khab, Kaa, Leo, Malling, Dubling and Chango areas of the district Kinnaur and Spiti Tehsil of district Lahaul & Spiti, because of dry climate.
Walnut
In this region, the only commercially important nut is the English it Persian walnut. It is native to the northwest Himalayas and is found growing in elevations between 1200 to 2150 metres above mean sea level. Scattered seedling plantations are found growing in different parts of the district.
Almonds
Almond is one of the most important commercial dry fruit of this region. Climate of the district is best suited for production of dry almonds. It can grow well on deep, fertile and well drained loamy soils. Important cultivars for this region are Thin shelled, Ne Plus Ultra, Non Pareil, Drake, Dhebar, Texas, Sharbo selection and Telangi selection.
Grapes
Grapes are grown in dry temperature zone of Kinnaur district. Such a zone does not experience monsoon rains and the grape varieties ripen between August-October. The climate of this region is this suited for raisin production.
Varieties: Thompson Seedless, Kali Sahibi, Kandhari, Anab e Shahi
Juice making varieties: Beauty Seedless, Black Prince
Promising Wine varieties: Chholtu White, Chholtu Red, Rangspray, Isabella
The fruits are used in various ways. Tree ripen fruits are eaten after meals instead of sweets. Fruits are also dried. Various type of processed products like Nectar, Pappad and Murabba are also made. The pulp of chulli fruits is used for making local beverages and fruit kernels are used for oil extraction.
Dry apricots are grown in Pooh, Namgia, Khab, Kaa, Leo, Malling, Dubling and Chango areas of the district Kinnaur and Spiti Tehsil of district Lahaul & Spiti, because of dry climate.
Walnut
In this region, the only commercially important nut is the English it Persian walnut. It is native to the northwest Himalayas and is found growing in elevations between 1200 to 2150 metres above mean sea level. Scattered seedling plantations are found growing in different parts of the district.
Almonds
Almond is one of the most important commercial dry fruit of this region. Climate of the district is best suited for production of dry almonds. It can grow well on deep, fertile and well drained loamy soils. Important cultivars for this region are Thin shelled, Ne Plus Ultra, Non Pareil, Drake, Dhebar, Texas, Sharbo selection and Telangi selection.
Grapes
Grapes are grown in dry temperature zone of Kinnaur district. Such a zone does not experience monsoon rains and the grape varieties ripen between August-October. The climate of this region is this suited for raisin production.
Varieties: Thompson Seedless, Kali Sahibi, Kandhari, Anab e Shahi
Juice making varieties: Beauty Seedless, Black Prince
Promising Wine varieties: Chholtu White, Chholtu Red, Rangspray, Isabella
