Camboge-Harvest and storage

Seedlings of camboge start bearing generally at the age of 10-12 years. Grafts start bearing from the third year onwards and will attain full bearing at the age of 12 to 15 years.

Flowering occurs in January-March and fruits mature in July. There are reports of off-season bearers, which bear two times a year, i.e., during January-July and September-February.

Mature fruits, which are orange yellow in colour, drop off from the tree. The mature fruits are harvested manually before they fall.

The harvested fruits are washed in water immediately after harvest. The rind is then separate from the fruits.

The separated fruit rind is then first sun dried and then either smoke-dried or oven-dried at 70-80ºC.

The rind is mixed with common salt @ 150 g and coconut oil @ 50 ml per kg of dried rind. This will increase the storage life and impart softness.