Kumquat fruits have always been around but despite being so beneficial for people – they are not that well known. In this article, I will be shedding some light on Kumquats and other things related to them.
Keep reading till the end to find out more information about the same!
About Kumquat
Kumquat is also often referred to as ‘Cumquat’. It belongs to the group of citrus fruits and is very closely related to oranges. They appear much smaller in size than their Vitamin C family. But don’t be fooled by its size, they have twice as much vitamin C content in them as compared to oranges.
How Are They Grown?
Kumquats grow on plants. These plants produce white-coloured flowers during the time of early summer or late spring.
As compared to the other plants of the Citrus family, the Kumquat tree is really easy to take care of. They require a warm and moist climate and soil that is well-draining.
How To Eat Them?
Kumquat fruits appear like bite-sized Oranges, but there are differences in how they are eaten.
If you are wondering how to eat Kumquat?
Then let me tell you that, unlike Oranges, Kumquats can be eaten as a whole – including its peels. The peel is rich in nutrients and tastes very sweet. You can even eat the seeds of the fruit as they are edible.
To get the full essence of the taste, roll the fruit between your fingers a few times. This action is going to soften the skin and make it taste less bitter. The action will also give out sweet aromas as well.
Hope that answers your question about how to eat a Kumquat!
| Tip: Make sure that you are washing the fruits thoroughly before eating them. Washing them properly is very important as their skin might contain residues of pesticides on, which if ingested can lead to stomach issues. |
Health Benefits
Kumquats are known to pose many health benefits for the people. Some of them are:
Promotes Heart Health
There are nutrients like Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and antioxidants in Kumquats and these together reduce the accumulation of fat in the arteries. Thus helping in reducing the risk of heart blockages.
It also actively reduces LDL which prevents heart conditions from happening.
Aids In Diabetes Management
Kumquat fruit has a very low sugar content and 0 GI, which makes it a superfood to be included in the diet of diabetic people.
There’s also the presence of dietary fibre in it and that reduces the rate of absorption and digestion of sugar from foods, thus aiding in diabetes management.
Has Anti-Cancer Properties
This particular citrus fruit also has the presence of a substance called the “Flavonoid Apigenin ” – which is known to reduce the risk of cancer.
Promotes Eye Health
The major player in promoting eye health is Vitamin A. Kumquat is a fruit that is rich in it. It also has the presence of Carotene that effectively promotes the health of the eye.
Elevates Mood
They can also help elevate mood swings and reduce anxiety and stress. It can also aid you with depression as well. The presence of Vitamin C is surely going to improve your mental health a lot.
Improves Immunity
The nature of Citrus fruits is such that they aid in boosting immunity – because of the presence of Vit C – which is a very powerful antioxidant.
These fruits have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that are known to fight off fevers and infections.
Kumquat Nutrients Chart
Here is a list of all the nutrients that Kumquat contains in it:
| Vitamin C |
| Sodium |
| Vitamin B3 |
| Iron |
| Vitamin E |
| Copper |
| Potassium |
| Beta-carotene |
| Calcium |
Ripe Kumquat Recipe
This is a fairly easy recipe for eating Kumquats. They are best eaten when ripe. Do note that the seeds should be removed before eating.
Ingredients Required
- Ripe Kumquats (1 Pound)
- White Sugar (2 Cups)
- Ground Cinnamon (¼ of a Teaspoon)
Directions
Follow along these directions to make a scrumptious Kumquat dish:
Step 1
First, you would need to wash all the Kumquats very thoroughly and then cover them in a saucepan (which is non-aluminum). Then bring it to a boil and simmer for – at the most 30 minutes.
Step 2
Then add cinnamon and sugar to it (as per the servings I have mentioned in the ingredients list before). Return the pan to boil after that. Cook it for 5 mins.
After it’s cooked, you can remove the pan from heat and then drain the water.
Some Facts About This Fruit
Here is a list of some unknown facts related to Kumquat fruits:
- Its Origin
Kumquats are believed to have originated from the country of China, during the 12th CE. Until the 1800s, they didn’t even make it to the US.
- Symbolism
Having a Kumquat tree at home is symbolic of Good Luck, in the country of China. During the Chinese Lunar New Year, they are even given to each other as gifts.
- Appearance
They are oval-shaped and bright orange in color. They are the smallest in the whole family group of Citrus fruits.
To Wrap It Up!
That was all for information regarding Kumquat fruits. If you have never given them a try before then you definitely should as they pose many health benefits.
Thank you for reading up till here. I hope you found the information useful.
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