The kumquat is a tiny fruit that is roughly the size of an olive. This fruit looks a lot like an orange and is orange in hue. The fruit has an acidic, tart flavour with a hint of sweetness. Kumquat peel is also edible and has a pleasant flavour. The fruit can be washed and eaten.
Kumquat trees are primarily grown in Southeast Asia, but they can also be found in America, Europe, and China. The fruit tree can withstand freezing conditions and is ready to harvest from November to March. Pick just the oranges that are totally orange.
What are Kumquats?
Kumquats are little citrus fruits that look a lot like oranges. They grow on little kumquat trees and belong to the Fortunella genus of the Rutaceae plant family. The kumquat’s peel is thin and delicious, with a sour flesh that allows the fruit to be eaten whole. In North America, the bulk of kumquats is grown in California and Florida, with the peak season being between January and March.
Kumquats are little citrus fruits that grow on short shrub-like trees that are commonly utilized in landscaping in warm-weather climates. Kumquats, which are native to eastern Asia and belong to the same fruit family as oranges, lemons, and limes, are distinguished by their small size and edible peel. They can appear as early as November and as late as April, depending on the variety, but they’re at their best around December and January. Kumquats can be candied, pickled, pureed, converted into marmalade, or simply washed and eaten whole in a variety of ways.
How to Tell if Kumquat is Bad?
Kumquat fruit has a short shelf life. If the fruit has gone rogue, you’ll be able to tell right away. The fruit will show signs of decomposition.
Appearance: The first symptom to look for is a change in the colour of the fruit. A good fruit will be orange in colour, while a bad fruit will be brown in hue. When compared to a fresh fruit, such fruit will have become squishy when handled.
Smell: The smell of rotten fruit is sour, and when you cut the fruit, you will notice a strong rotten fruit odour.
Taste: If the kumquat has a sour taste, it’s time to toss it. The fruit will have a mushy inside texture, so don’t consume too much of it. If the scent and appearance of the fruit are obvious, it is not recommended that you try it.
How to Store Kumquat?
Kumquats are similar to oranges in that they have a high water content, which means they have a short shelf life and must be stored at room temperature. The ways for storing kumquat for later use are listed below.
At Room Temperature
Kumquats are only kept at room temperature if they will be consumed within a few days. However, if left at room temperature, they may degrade quickly. If you’re storing the fruit at room temperature, make sure it’s out of the way of the heat in a cool, dry corner of your kitchen.
Because of their high water content, do not store them in a sealed container. There will be a natural buildup of moisture. This moisture buildup can cause mould to grow, hastening the decaying process.
Refrigerate it
On a domestic level, refrigeration is a way of storing kumquat. Fruit that has been refrigerated has a longer shelf life. Kumquats can be placed in a bucket and put in the vegetable division. The cold temperature and good air circulation keep the fruit fresh, and any moisture buildup is eliminated, preventing mould growth.
Kumquats are little fruits that can be consumed whole. If the fruit has been sliced, it is not recommended that you store it in the refrigerator. The fruit will go bad faster than it usually does in the refrigerator. If you don’t wash the fruit until you’re ready to utilize it, it will deteriorate faster.
Freeze it
When you need to store your fruit for a longer amount of time, you can freeze it. You can freeze your fruit by placing it in a freezer bag or a sealed container. People also slice and freeze fruit depending on the need, but this is a rare occurrence.
Can you Freeze Kumquat?
Kumquats can be frozen, but this is only done commercially. They are normally eaten fresh and kept in the refrigerator. To freeze kumquats, place them in a sealable container or a freezer bag and place them in the freezer.
You can wash your fruit before storing it and then set it in a container. Remove the seeds from the fruit before freezing it if you wish to slice and freeze it. Make sure the bag in which the fruit is being stored is completely devoid of oxygen. The fruit will stay longer if it is covered in water and sugar syrup.
How Long does Kumquat Last?
Kumquat is a delicious fruit whose reputation is influenced by its surroundings. When kept at room temperature, the fruit can last for up to three days if kept in a cool environment. During the warmer season, the fruit may only last 1–2 days at most.
People frequently put fruit in the refrigerator at home, which extends the fruit’s life significantly. If not sliced, a kumquat can be kept in the refrigerator for about two weeks. If there is any bad fruit among the others, or if sliced fruit is kept, it may only last a week.
Kumquats can be frozen to extend their shelf life by a few months. By freezing the fruit, you can extend its life for another 4–5 months. If you store sliced fruit, it will last for three months at most.
Are Kumquats Good for you?
A single kumquat has only 13 calories but can deliver up to 14 percent of your daily vitamin C needs. Vitamin A, calcium, and manganese are all abundant in them. Kumquats offer more soluble fibre than a regular piece of fresh fruit since you eat peel and seeds, which can help decrease cholesterol and blood pressure. Kumquats are made up of 80% water, making them extremely hydrated and ideal for eating on a hot day.
Tips for Buying and Eating Kumquats
Kumquats that are vivid orange in colour are the ones to look for. They should be firm and aromatic, with no soft areas on their skin.
Kumquats are a healthful snack that may be eaten on their own, added to a holiday cheese board, or incorporated into a variety of recipes. Simply consider them a different type of citrus and use them in the same way that you would oranges or lemons. Because the seeds are high in pectin, this fruit makes a delicious Kumquat Marmalade. At a gathering, serve refreshing Kumquat Margaritas. Make a Kumquat Refrigerator Pie to lighten the gloomy winter months!
Kumquats are in season in the United States from November through June, though availability varies depending on where you reside. You can miss out if you wait until the end of the season to seek them. Kumquats can be found at supermarkets, gourmet food stores, and Asian markets. Farmers’ markets may also sell the fruits if you reside in a state where they are cultivated. The Nagami, which has an oval form, is the most frequent variant sold in the United States. The Meiwa cultivar, which is rounder and sweeter, is also popular. You can also get kumquats online if you can’t find them in your local grocery store.
Because you eat the peel, organic kumquats are preferable if you can find and afford them. If organic isn’t an option, thoroughly wash them before eating to remove any pesticide residues. When choosing kumquats, gently squeeze them to discover those that are plump and firm. Choose fruits that are orange in colour rather than green (which could indicate that they are not fully ripe). Any with soft areas or discoloured skin should be avoided. Refrigerate the fruits for up to two weeks after you get them home. They’ll only last a few days if you keep them on your counter. If you have kumquats that you won’t be able to consume before they go bad, make a purée out of them and freeze it.
Besides Eating them Whole, Other Uses of Kumquats Include:
- Chutneys, marinades and sauces for meat, chicken or fish
- Marmalades, jams and jellies
- Sliced in salads (fruit or leafy green)
- Sliced in sandwiches
- Added to stuffing
- Baked into pieces of bread
- Baked into desserts such as cake, pie or cookies
- Puréed or sliced for dessert toppings
- Candied
- Garnish
- Tiny dessert cups (when halved and scooped out)
- Sliced and steeped in boiling water for tea
How Long does Kumquat Last in Fridge?
They keep for a few days in the kitchen fruit bowl, just like oranges. They can last up to two weeks in the fridge if kept in a sealed container. They’re highly hydrating to eat because they’re made up of 80 percent water, but they’ll start to shrivel after a week out of the fridge.
Conclusion
More than simply a fun moniker, the kumquat has a lot to offer. The fact that you eat the peel, which is the sweet part of the fruit, is one of the most peculiar aspects of these bite-size orbs. As a result, they’re a convenient grab-and-go snack. Because you eat the peel, you can benefit from its high concentration of antioxidants and other plant chemicals.
Kumquats include vitamin C and plant chemicals that can enhance your immune system. Although more human study is needed, several of these may help protect against obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some malignancies. If you haven’t had kumquats yet, they’ll be available starting in November and lasting for several months. It’s possible that they’ll become one of your new favourite fruits.
