A kumquat isn’t much bigger than a grape, yet this bite-sized fruit fills your mouth with a big burst of sweet-tart citrus flavor. In folk medicine in some Asian countries, the kumquat has been used to treat colds, coughs and other inflammation of the respiratory tract (5, 9, 10). The only caveat is that if you’re allergic to the peel of common citrus fruits, you may need to pass up kumquats.

Animal and test-tube studies suggest that kumquat plant compounds may help activate immune cells called natural killer cells (9). How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? Swingle divided the kumquats into two subgenera, the Protocitrus, containing the primitive Hong Kong kumquat, and Eufortunella, comprising the round, oval kumquat, Meiwa kumquats,[6] to which Tanaka added two others, the Malayan kumquat and the Jiangsu kumquat. The English name "kumquat" derives from the Cantonese kamkwat (Chinese: 金橘; pinyin: jīn jú; Jyutping: kam1 kwat1; lit. The vitamin C and plant compounds in kumquats help bolster the immune system to fight infections and may help reduce your risk of certain cancers. This helps release the essential oils in the peel and mixes the flavors of the sweet peel and tart flesh. Here's what you need to know if you think you're allergic to citrus fruits. The edible fruit closely resembles the orange (Citrus sinensis) in color and shape but is much smaller, being approximately the size of a large olive. If you’re thinking about growing kumquats in your yard, the Meiwa tree is a popular choice for home planting. The Meiwa kumquat (Citrus crassifolia or Fortunella crassifolia) was brought to Japan from China at the end of the 19th century, it has seedy oval fruits and thick leaves, and was characterized as a different species by Swingle.

The name “kumquat” combines the Chinese words “gam,” meaning gold, and “gwat,” another word for tangerines. Kumquat tree, also known as Citrus japonica, is an easy-to-grow fruit tree. All rights reserved. The most common variety sold in the United States is the Nagami, which has an oval shape.

It is typically grown for its edible fruit and as an ornamental plant; it cannot withstand frost, however, unlike the round kumquat which has a high cold tolerance. [4] The inside is still quite sour, but the skin has a very sweet flavour, so when eaten together an unusual tart-sweet, refreshing flavour is produced. The best way to avoid these germs is to cook your kumquat. In fact, you get more fiber in a serving of them than most other fresh fruits (1). Fiber: You may already know that eating fiber helps you poop more easily. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. They were introduced to Europe in 1846 by Robert Fortune, collector for the London Horticultural Society, and shortly thereafter were taken to North America. .[3].

The Meiwa variety is also popular, and is round and a bit sweeter. In a preliminary study, normal-weight mice fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks gained significantly more weight than mice given a high-fat diet plus kumquat extract or a low-fat control diet. However, many people suggest popping the whole fruit into your mouth and biting in, which mixes the sweet and tart flavors. Does Too Much Vitamin C Cause Side Effects? ex Benth", University of California Citrus Experiment Station, University of California, Riverside Citrus Variety Collection, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kumquat&oldid=978524764, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Articles containing Vietnamese-language text, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles containing Nepali (macrolanguage)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Malayan kumquat foliage and fruit, Malaysia. Mabberley, D. J.

This page was last edited on 15 September 2020, at 12:29. In contrast with other citrus fruits, the peel of the kumquat is sweet and edible, while the juicy flesh is tart. It is primarily grown as an ornamental plant, though it is also found in southern China growing in the wild. However, the research was not able to prove cause and effect (12). Fruit are distinguishable by their variegation in color, exhibiting bright green and yellow stripes,[4] and by its lack of thorns. The inside may have a few seeds. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Vitamin C has many roles in your body and has been linked to impressive health benefits. Chromosomal analysis suggested that Swingle's Eufortunella represent a single 'true' species, while Tanaka's additional species were revealed to be likely hybrids of Fortunella with other Citrus, so-called Citrofortunella. If organic isn’t available, wash them well before eating as they may have pesticide residues (14). The phytosterols in kumquats have a chemical structure similar to cholesterol, meaning that they can help block the absorption of cholesterol in your body. Besides eating them whole, other uses for kumquats include: Recipes for these ideas can be found online. Stay away from greenish, unripe fruits. The tree tends to be much smaller and dwarf in nature, making it ideal for pots and occasionally bonsai cultivation. But if you want to eat it raw, be sure to wash it well under running water. When selecting kumquats, give them a gentle squeeze to find ones that are plump and firm. Here are 7 reasons to eat citrus fruits. In cultivation in the UK, Citrus japonica has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit[12] (confirmed 2017). This makes them a great snack when you’re watching your weight.

An enumeration of the species of Paramignya, Atalantia and Citrus, found in Malaya. That’s about 90 calories a serving. The high water and fiber content of kumquats makes them a filling food, yet they’re relatively low in calories. The most popular are: Nagami kumquats are oval or pear-shaped and taste sour, while Marumi and Meiwa are rounder and sweeter. It also may help to gently roll the fruit between your fingers before eating. Be sure to store them at room temperature for a few days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It’s not very juicy, and sometimes it’s sour enough to make your eyes water. Scientists also found that eating a few kumquats a day could fight stress and boost natural killer (NK) cells, which help to get rid of cancer cells and other cells infected by viruses. Carbonyl compounds make up much of the remainder, and these are responsible for much of the distinctive flavor. Burkill, I. H. (1931). It is grown in Luxembourg and can be used in bonsai cultivation. Slices of kumquat pie at the Kumquat Festival in Dade City, Florida, "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species", "Phylogeny and Classification of Kumquats (, "Hong Kong,Fortunella hindsii, Champ.

Fruit is nutritious and healthy, but some people are worried about the sugar…. Here are the 20 healthiest fruits on earth, backed by science. Organic food has become incredibly popular. Chutneys, marinades and sauces for meat, chicken or fish, Baked into desserts such as cake, pie or cookies, Tiny dessert cups (when halved and scooped out), Sliced and steeped in boiling water for tea. [4], The essential oil of the kumquat peel contains much of the aroma of the fruit, and is composed principally of limonene, which makes up around 93% of the total.

But, obese mice fed a high-fat diet plus kumquat extract maintained their weight. When consumed in a whole food, such as kumquats, the different flavonoids, phytosterols and essential oils are thought to interact and have synergistic beneficial effects (6). There are higher amounts of flavonoids in the kumquat’s edible peel than in the pulp (4). (1998). These have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. Choose fruits that are orange in color, not green (which could mean they’re unripe). They have long been cultivated in other parts of East Asia (Japan and Taiwan), South Asia (India), and Southeast Asia (especially the Philippines). © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. As for the kumquat seeds, you can either eat them (although bitter), spit them out or pick them out if you cut the fruit. Because kumquat peels are edible, you can tap into their rich reservoirs of plant compounds. Kumquats are especially notable for their rich supply of vitamin C and fiber. Chromosomal analysis showed this variety to be a likely hybrid. This article covers the nutrition and health benefits of kumquats, as well as tips for eating them. Because you eat the peel, you can tap into the rich stores of antioxidants and other plant compounds found there. They are slow-growing evergreen shrubs or short trees that stand 2.5 to 4.5 meters (8 to 15 ft) tall, with dense branches, sometimes bearing small thorns. In part two of the same study, obese mice fed a high-fat diet for two weeks had a 12% increase in body weight. If you store them on your countertop, they’ll only keep a few days. The fruit ripens mid- to late winter and always crops very heavily, creating a spectacular display against the dark green foliage. Other benefits: Some research shows that when you eat foods high in antioxidants, especially kumquats, you could lower your chance of getting cancer because antioxidants help repair DNA damage linked to different types of the disease. Kumquats are much hardier than citrus plants such as oranges. Those are molecules your body makes that could play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. The Nagami kumquat requires a hot summer, ranging from 25 °C to 38 °C (77 °F to 100 °F), but can withstand frost down to about −10 °C (14 °F) without injury. The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans. As with other fresh fruits, kumquats are very hydrating. [7] Recent genomic analysis concluded there was only one true species of kumquat, but the analysis did not include the Hong Kong variety seen as a distinct species in all earlier analyses. In both parts of the study, kumquat extract also helped lower fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. Different systems place different types of kumquat in different species, or unite them into as few as two species.

The earliest historical reference to kumquats appears in Imperial literature from the 12th century. These trees, native to … People first grew kumquat trees, also known as fortunella, in China in the 1700s. They were previously classified as forming the now-historical genus Fortunella, or placed within Citrus sensu lato. The essential oils in kumquats leave a scent on your hands and in the air. Citrus fruits are not only flavorful and pretty — they’re also good for you, offering several health benefits. Once you get them home, refrigerate the fruits for up to two weeks. Previous research suggests that the flavonoid poncirin may play a role in this fat cell regulation (13).

Kumquats have a sweet skin, which you can eat. [7][11] It has a thin peel on larger fruit compared to other kumquats.[11].

There are several types of kumquats. Sometimes raw fruit has germs that can make you sick like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. Recent phylogenetic analysis suggests they do indeed fall within Citrus. [6] While the wild Hong Kong kumquat is tetraploid, there is a commercial diploid variety, the Golden Bean kumquat with slightly larger fruit.