137. Naga Tree Tomato

Naga Tree Tomato is locally known as 'Sei Bangenuo' the name is a derivation from the Tenyidie dialect which translates to 'tree tomato'. The fruit looks a lot like tomato , but bears an egg-like shape. With over 30 species around the world, the Naga Tree Tomato is also called 'Tamarillo'.

It is grown widely throughout the state of Nagaland and locally also known as “Khwüdi”. Kohima, Phek, Chung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Tuensang, Mon, Dimapur, Longleng and Peren are the districts where it is grown widely.

Botanical name of Naga Tree Tomato is Solanum betaceum syn.Cyphomandrabetacea and its biological classification is as given below 

Kingdom   : Plantae

Phylum     : Tracheophyta

Class        : Magnoliopsida.

Order        : Solanales

Family      : Solanaceae

Genus      : Solanum

Species    : betaceum

It is a perennial, evergreen semi-woody shrub or small tree found normally throughout the state. The plant can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Within 2-3 years of planting, it bears reddish egg-shaped fruits with smooth skin, hanging in cluster on the branches. Although the tree bears fruits throughout the year, the peak season is from November to March. 

The tree tomato plants are 3.5 to 5.5 m tall . The leaves of the tree are evergreen and alternate, heart shaped at the base and ovate and pointed at the apex. The fruits of the tree are oval and egg shaped that grows in clusters. Colour of Fruit is red to orange. The skin of the fruit is thin but hard and bitter in taste. 

The taste of Naga tree tomato is sweet. The fruits closely resemble a tomato; but although it looks almost like a medium sized tomato, but tree tomato is not a true tomato. The seeds are thin, flat, circular and relatively hard and bitter in taste. The fruits also have resinous aroma.

This tomato is used like any other tomato in preparation of food. Some people, however, prefer to have it as part of their “chutney” or pickle which usually accompanied a Naga meal. This vegetable fruit goes very well as a combination with the Naga King Chilli. The tree tomato is also used in curries, mixed vegetable dishes, soups, and for most of the uses of the garden tomato in other countries.

Naga tree tomato is rich in minerals particularly in potassium. The potassium content as K in Naga Tree Tomato is as high as 560 mg/100 g. Similarly, it is rich in vitamin C and A. Naturally, it helps in controlling high blood pressure and brings down cholesterol levels. Some people also believes that it helps to lose weight

GI Tag Registration Date         : 23 March 2015

GI Tag Number                         : 374

Certificate Number                  : 220

Geographical Area                  : Nagaland

Special Cover Release Date   : 06 September 2021

Cancellation                             : Kohima 797 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : NE/07/2021-22

Enlarged View of Illustration

Enlarged View of Cancellation

Back Side Scan

India Post has also issued a postage stamp on Naga Tree Tomato. Details of the same is furnished below

Postage Stamp Extracted from Souvenir Sheet 
"Geographical Indications : Agriculture Goods"
Issued on 13 February 2023