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Rangpur fruit

Rangpurs, also known as lemandarins, are a hybrid between the mandarin orange and the lemon. It is a citrus fruit with a very acidic taste and an orange peel and flesh.

[edit] History

A bottle of Tanqueray Rangpur gin

Common names for the this fruit include Rangpur in Bangladesh, a city is known for this and other citrus fruits. This is where the word originated in the Bengali language. The Rangpur is known as a Canton lemon in South China, a Hime lemon in Japan, a Cravo lemon in Brazil, and mandarin-lime in the United States. The name lime in connection with this fruit is often misleading because there are very few similarities between the Rangpur and true limes. However, Rangpurs are highly acidic and can be used as a substitute for commercial limes. It was introduced into Florida from Bengal in the late nineteenth century by Reasoner Brothers of Oneco, who obtained seed from northwestern India. In the United States the Rangpur is used as an ornamental or potted plant, but outside the United States it is used principally as a rootstock.

In 2006, Diageo, Plc, introduced a rangpur-flavored version of Tanqueray gin, known simply as Tanqueray Rangpur.